Most known Turkish Progressive Music musician here in the rest of the West is Erkin Koray. The attention was grown after the bootleg reissue from Xotic mind in Sweden. Also collectors became aware of a potential in Turkey. This expensively sold record was recorded directly from bootleg tapes and records, contained several recording mistakes, but it made people curious.
The way Erkin plays the electric guitar and crosses borders from an advanced rockbeat up until even (ethno-)psychedelica (for some recording he was even called the Turkish Jimmy Hendrix) is undeniable. His early records from the seventies should interest many collectors.
The Vol 1 and Vol 2 tapes contain most of Erkin's early recordings. Many of the other tapes I bought with later works I are harder to appreciate as easily. Erkin had a different approach later, adapting various ethnical influences (Turkish, Egyptian,..). Winfried told me Erkin magic still appears at moments when the situation feels comfortable for him. And he stil is popular amongst Turkish people although young rock people prefer to form their own band first and be the main act in stead of contributing to an older hero like Erkin or work wth him for any recording on a professional foundation. But people still call him "The King of Rock". He still does a few shows a month in Istanbul; mainly doing club gigs as one man band, which is with according to G. "mostly ironically a kitch keyboard accompany !?, and with lots of talk and funny stories". His album "Devlerin Nefesi" from 1999 is in Turkish rock style, but does not have the best drummer Erkin deserves.
All early rockn'roll singles are more or less interesting. Erkin's most progressive period dates from around 1974. From this period exist a bootleg live recording with Jimmy Hendrix in Woodstock like mood on the track "Mesafeler", the only recording from it with a still listenable recording quality.
Erkin was banned by TRT for a long time. His records were not being played until 1992.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LP'S : (more will be added soon)
* The LP "2" has lots of Egyptian and Anatolian orchestrations and arrangements.
* The LP Tutkusu is with bass of Harun Kolcak (who became a popstar in 90's turkey) and strong drum beats of Akay Temiz, brother of Okay Temiz, also drummer. This is with the addition of some turkish instruments such as electric saz and zourna.
