Review | Songlines

XX

Rating: ★★★★

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:

Baba Zula

Label:

Glitterbeat Records

March/2017

Initially inspired by the Anatolian rock of Moğollar and Erkin Koray, Baba Zula pioneered the concept of Istanbul psychedelia mixing Arabesk, bellydance and dub in joyous shows that have been a success in festivals and clubs worldwide. This double album celebrates the anniversary of Baba Zula's foundation, in 1996, by Murat Ertel and Levent Akman. It includes never-before-released tracks from the entire history of the band, in wildly different recording quality, with the participation of Sly & Robbie, Alexander Hacke from Einstürzende Neubauten and Brenna MacCrimmon; the dubs were created by artists such as Mad Professor, Dr Das of Asian Dub Foundation and Dirtmusic. Playing with the ‘exotic’ expectations of Western audiences – dressing like Mongol warriors and introducing veiled bellydancers who reveal themselves to be Japanese when they show their faces, or mixing Turkish rhythms with Latin or reggae music – Baba Zula show their love of Turkish music, from folk to wedding music, embracing it all with enthusiasm and carrying the listener with them.

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