Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Barafundle (1997)

"Well isn't it a lovely day? / My patio's on fire"

I love it when you talk Welsh to me.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ztycwmdjynm

Barafundle

The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

I first heard this album when I was about 16 or 17. Actually I learned about The Sundays before I discovered The Smiths. There is something about Wheeler's songs and voice that always stuck with me. Like Morrissey, she explores beauty and cynicism at the same time while twisting lyrics in a clever way. Sorry for the low quality, if anyone shows interest I can rip it at 320 when I go home - 2 weeks!

http://www.mediafire.com/?hizlizkfmd3

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Cocteau Twins - Lullabies to Violaine (1996)

Dark treasure box of heaven. Volume 1 covers their singles/EPs from the beginning all the way to Heaven or Las Vegas. The first volume showcases their early industrial, almost punk sound (akin to Killing Joke, Siouxsie and the Banshees) before it drifts into waves of bliss. Volume 2 contains their later work, some accoustic versions and remixes - it's too delicate for my liking, but Fraser's voice is hard to ignore.

Lullabies to Violaine

The Doctor is Checking Out

I will miss you Harry Leroy Halladay. Now go get yourself a ring. Much love to DJF for the accurate portrait of the greatest pitcher I have ever seen.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Spanish Dance Troupe (1999)

Beautiful and weird folky tunes from wild Welsh mushroom-eaters.

http://www.mediafire.com/?z0mzjmmnkln

Spanish Dance Troupe

Looking for the Buffalo

I found and devoured Shishimumu a while back and this breed of buffalo still roams the intertubes. However I want to find two other buffalo, one named Take to the Trees (last tagged by Time-Lag, July 2008) and the other goes by Cement Postcard With Owl Colors (last seen dangling over the burning hills circa 2009).

V/A - Istanbul Twilight (2008)

This sounds like a mellow night in the big city.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jnmdfynydkz
http://www.mediafire.com/?yymcltmdn5n

Istanbul Twilight

V/A - Love Peace & Poetry: Turkish Psychedelic Music

http://www.mediafire.com/?0ddqn2ozvqz

Love, Peace & Poetry: Turkish Psychedelic Music

Kâzım Koyuncu - Hayde (2004)

Kâzım Koyuncu was an ethnic Laz, activist and folk-rock singer. He sung in many languages, some I never knew existed. Hayde has a wide range of sounds; pounding drums, soulful chants and tulum, graceful guitar and violin, and probably my favourite, the frantic kemenche. The immediate shifts between delirious dancing music and melancholy duos is strange. Nevertheless, the music is beautiful, highly recommended. I was sad to learn he died of cancer a few years ago, ostensibly from causes against which he was campaigning. Next I will be posting a few compilations of Turkish music, from the 70s and today.

http://www.mediafire.com/?knw2ijrxrij

Hayde

Volkan Konak - Maranda (2003)

Now begins the binge on Egedeniz and Karadeniz (Aegean and Black Sea) folk music. First up, Volkan Konak. I dig the voice and instruments but the album sounds over-produced and almost Latin. My ears are searching for something more raw. He has some other albums so maybe I will check out his older stuff. Overall, very pleasant, just a bit too pristine for my taste.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yyjyyjmolhm

Maranda

Turkey Music Scene

A few bands to check out:

http://www.myspace.com/Norrda
http://www.myspace.com/kimkiO
http://www.myspace.com/oakofistanbul
http://www.myspace.com/Portecho
http://www.myspace.com/dogualmanya

Meanwhile I am going to search the intertubes for others like Ahmed Yıldırım, Gogol Bordello, and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. I will try to catch a few shows at Peyote, Dogzstar or Babylon before I come home.

Mercan Dede - Nefes (2006)

Nefes = Breath. Electro Sufi-pop with traditional instruments.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nniomljz2yz
http://www.mediafire.com/?mlnmzzd54lh
There is also plenty of Arabesque music out there and I will get to that. I am more interested in the Black Sea and Kurdish folk music but it is incredibly hard to find online, and I am also banned from torrents here. Might have to do it the old-fashioned way - head down to the record store, sample a ton of records and pick out my favourites.

Breath
Breath
Su
Su

Beaches - s/t (2008)

I wasn't sure if it was true. I had to wade a little further in before I made up my mind to dive inside. Once Sandy started, the ghostly vocals reflecting off shimmering waves of noise... I was in love. These ladies leave nothing behind. Ferocious guitar and shamanic chanting conjures up both Sonic Youth and the raw hedonism and passion of The Stooges. When your confidence is oozing, you can go forth and conquer. Dedicated to my friend Daboolal on the birth of a new age.

http://www.mediafire.com/?iyjvz3yitmn

Minotaur Shock - Maritime (2006)

Some ambient electronic stuff, nothing too abrasive.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yzwy2kwfjhu

Maritime

Sweet Trip - Velocity : Design : Comfort (2003)

This reminds me of Aphex Twin, the womanipulation of noises gives me mind-bumps. This one is for ZZyrus because I haven't seen him in a while.

http://www.mediafire.com/?e2hwtykimga

Velocity-Design-Comfort

M Ward - Post-War (2006)

Simple beautiful songs.

http://www.mediafire.com/?awmvnizvuth

Post-War

Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein (2001)

Vast Aire and Vordul are verbose venomous vanguards.

http://www.mediafire.com/?kmjrd2zvwjg

The Cold Vein

Tripping Daisy - Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb (1998)

Flaming Lips + Built to Spill = Tripping Daisy + x

http://www.mediafire.com/?n3fdn2hzdjz

 Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb

Exuma - Snake (1972)

Obeah, Obeah

http://www.mediafire.com/?00y4jmy3zlj

More info here

Snake

U-Roy - Dread in a Babylon (1975)/Rasta Ambassador (1977)

The Originator - a contemporary of King Tubby, Lee Perry - roots of a masterful rastafar.


http://www.mediafire.com/?zvtdxzuywkm


http://www.mediafire.com/?kkytkmdyfjz

Alpha Blondy - Apartheid is Nazism (1985)

A musical legend, activist, and humanitarian. One of the most soothing voices in reggae.

Apartheid is Nazism

Tiken Jah Fakoly - Françafrique (2002)

When I was in Sénégal I was disappointed to hear the president Abdoulaye Wade had banned Tiken Jah Fakoly from playing live.

On A Tout Compris

Mogollar - Danses et Rythmes de la Turquie d'Hier à Aujourd'hui (1971)

http://www.mediafire.com/?joa2mzmm4lz

Funky Nassau - The Compass Point Story (1980-1986)

http://www.mediafire.com/?vgognermozf

"It is a sound which defined an era and became the very essence of Island Records. During the '80s, Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas, set up by Island MD Chris Blackwell, was a magnet for soul, reggae, punk and rock artists eager to inject their sound with some Nassau magic. And the magic, apart from the tropical sunshine, was the production genius of reggae legends Sly & Robbie, engineers Steven Stanley and Alex Sadkin, and the Compass Point All-Stars house band. Most people would recognise the sound from hits by Grace Jones or Tom Tom Club, an unmistakeable fusion of great, often quirky songwriting, dub production techniques and low end funk, extended into spacious and unhurried 12" versions. This was vibe music which has remained timeless on dancefloors ever since."

Taken from UGHH.com

Perry Leopold - Christian Lucifer (1973)

Info here
Sample here

Abner Jay - Swaunee Water & Cocaine Blues (197x)/The Backbone of America is a Mule and Cotton (1976)

"I play banjo in an old cotton-picking style - real smooth, real quiet. There's not a lot of fancy licks."

Swaunee Water & Cocaine Blues



The Backbone of America is a Mule and Cotton

When Abner was born his dad kept the birth records on the side of the house. When the house burned down, the birth records were destroyed, and Abner was never able to find out just how old he was. Jay claims the secret for his good health was "layin' on his belly drinkin' water from that ol Swaunee River". More info here. More AJ here.

Istanbul, Türkiye

I see a few things...


Near my district - Etiler

A park in Etiler

Aya Sofia

Sultanahmet Camii aka Blue Mosque (inside)

Outside (is it blue?)

Eminönü - spice bazaar

Our illustrious director aka Robo-Père, gazing at the continental divide...