First two LP's of Edip are very good. After that the style becomes more and more mainstream. I have a compilation tape 'Bosu Bosuna' which seems to be the same recording as the first LP from 1974. The style is Anadolu Pop / slightly rock. Some of the most "rock" tracks I like the most. I also have the second LP which is somewhat similar in style. The first album still is my favourite, but only the second album received attention by Pokkora & in a Korean reisue. It's style started in Anatolion folk into pop style with almost hard rock/progressive edge.
Freak Emporium's description of (bootlegged) second LP reissue: "A fresh take on Anatolian rock from the progressively minded Edip Akbayram. Tracks on this, his second LP, were recorded between 1975-76 and feature wonderfully strange keyboard washes and arrangements loaded with wah-wah fuzz guitars and (if ours ears aren't deceiving me) wah-wah sax! The powerful swirling vocals of Akbayram mesh well with funked-up drums, a tough rock sound and folk instrumentation. Keyboards and arrangements were created by Murat Ses (Mogollar). Possibly the most important non-Erkin Koray, 3 Hur El, or Mogollar album to come from Turkey in the seventies; and that's saying something! Also includes a 12-page booklet with lyrics and photographs."
Warren's description (from here) : "Nedir Ne Degildir? by Edip Akbayram & Dostlar is a fine new addition to the steady stream of 60/70’s Turkish rock reissues that have appeared in the past couple of years. On previous releases, the big Western influence that appears in the music of that period is psychedelic rock. (60’s psych rock, indeed, continued to hold sway in Turkey long after it had faded in the West.) In this latest one, which originally came out in 1975, elements of funk have started creeping into the mix (along with fizzing 70’s synth and the occasional tape speed manipulation.) The bods at Aquarius Records have likened the results to a score for some lost 70’s Turkish car-chase film… And that certainly sums up this track, "Arabam Kaldi Yolda", pretty well."
Edip worked with Dostlar, but also with other fine musicians (like Murat Ses,..) during this period.
I heard also some of his more recent work. He also did more mainstream pop later.
I 'm not sure about it, but I think Edip made an LP with Fikret Kizilok too.
Dostlar was not as popular compared to "Dadaslar" or "Mogollar" but was one of the most serious bands, all succesful musicians. Guner
All first 6 LP's were with Dostlar. I especially like the first 2 LP's. The 6th LP I did not hear yet. It's the rast one because there were only a few hundred printed.
Some details about some particular songs and recordings :
About "Aldirma Gonul" / "Sen Actin Yarayi" :
"Aldirma Gonul" was a hit song of the period, a story of a prison.Very nice harmony of Turkish-west instruments (Including the Turkish SAZ and PIANO!!!) and a nice Anatolian rock rhythm.
"Sen Actin Yarayi" UNUSUAL!!! I really recommend this song, wonderful harmony of percussion, Turkish saz, bass and guitars and FLUTE. A very different sound and rhytm in Anatolian rock sound.
About : "Garip" / "Kaslarin Arasina" (Burc 3052) :
Folk-psych/poprock styled. With the contribution & arrangements of keyboard man Murat Ses (early Mogollar).
About : "Bir Kar Yagar" / "Daglar Dagladi Beni" (Sayan 322) :
An early single from the first LP era. Psych with Turkish saz, wah-wah and fuzz guitars.
According to Murat the arrangements and some parts of the composition on "Garip" are by Murat Ses. The melodic part of the singing is an Asik Mahsuni's composition. Those Turkish styled Atomic Rooster - Vincent Crane keyboard parts were results of hours-long improvisations.
Tracks from the first LP "Edip Akbayram" I airplayed in my radioshow were :
Tr.1, "Ince Ince Bir Kar Yagar" :
Heavy rock sound combined with some folk instruments (saz and Turkish horn) and on this track with rock voice. I did compare this track with Selda's psych rock version (from 1975)
Tr.2, "Degmen Benim Gamli Yash Gönlüme" 5 min :
In the first album the sound of the voice leans best to the heavy rock sound in various tracks.
Tr.6, "Daglar Dagladi Beni" 6 min :
Original use of electric guitars, with very good progressive rock arrangements.
Tr.7, "Yakir Inceden" 4 min
Wawa-, fuzz- and electric guitars, some saz ? Very powerful vocals.
These tracks had the most tough rock sound combined with folk instruments.
Tracks I played from the second LP Nedir Ne Degildir (1975) :
* Tr.10, "Sen Açtin Yarayi" 4 min
With odd adition of Tull like flute.
* Tr.12, "Zalim Zazlim" 3 min
* Tr.13, "Kaslarin Karasina" 3 min
* Tr.5, "Gam Üstüne Gam" 5 min
PS. Beware. There exist a CD called "Unutamadiklarim". It is said to be a a single collection and contains indeed some of his older titles, BUT with cheap synthesiser arrangements. Keeps you hands of this one if you want serious music.
