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About Erkin Koray
Artist Biography
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Erkin Koray remains the most influential figure in Turkish rock music history. Possessed of a crystalline baritone singing voice, he was a unique and accomplished guitarist, and invented the electric baglama (saz), a long-necked, lute-like instrument whose unusual sound graced most of his recordings. Koray's compositions melded Turkish folk melodies, rhythms, and harmonies with ethnic and Middle Eastern themes and a psych-driven, progressive brand of pop music called Anatolian rock. A classic of the genre, his 1974 album Elektronik Türküler explored microtonal psychedelia. He highlighted progressive rock, primitive electronica, and Turkish folk on 1977's Tutkusu. 1989's Hay-Yam-Yam won popular and critical attention for its anthemic, danceable pop songs. 1999's Devlerin Nefisi was composed primarily of re-envisioned readings of obscure tracks with contemporary arrangements. After 2000, Koray toured internationally, immigrated to Canada, wrote his memoirs, and supervised compilations on labels including Sublime Frequencies and Pharaway Sounds.
Hometown
Istanbul, Turkey
Genre
Turkish
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