Hemavaz [Import]

Kardes Turkuler (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Format: Import
• Label: Kalan Müzik
• ASIN: B000VZB42C
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,161 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Track List: 1. Sah-i Merdan (4:33) 2. Mirkut (3:30) 3. O Yan? Pembe (3:18) 4. Cukhdag Mom (6:37) 5. Sukar Sukar (4:32) 6. Manaki Mu - Ben Kendimi Gülün Dibinde Buldum (7:42) 7. Gülü?ün Gülden Güzel (4:37) 8. Siya Saperen (7:08) 9. Silemano (4:30) 10. Bugun Guzellerin Sahini Gordum - Dem Ali Ye (4:15) 11. Siya Wan - Voghperk (5:42) 12. Elo Dino (4:22)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding album!, April 17, 2009

By 

Dale Dimelo (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hemavaz (Audio CD)

It's a pity Kardes Türküler don't seem to be very well-known in the west, (they are from Turkey) because they deserve to be. This is an amazing album, bursting with energy and soulful vibrancy. In many ways it is unlike most Middle Eastern music - or any music - that you've heard.

Kardes Türküler's music is definitely rooted in Turkish folk music, with instruments like the hammered dulcimer and the saz, but they arrange these folk forms in a modern way that gives the songs an immediacy and accessibility not often found in folk music. That is, you don't need to have patience and attention to fully appreciate the music. The melodies are catchy while being unique and high above the usual pop hooks. This music is as far as can be from pop, though the perfect rhythm suggests modern technology and there are samples and subtle keyboards on some songs. These effects only enhance the power and clarity that only folk music can have.

The vocals are what grab your attention the most, though. The album opens with the melancholy Sah-i Merdan, with a powerful melody delivered in sad voices, with drones and harmonies thrown in (it sounds almost Iranian). The next track wakes you up. A chorus of voices sing a rousing song punctuated by the lead singer, who delivers song and spoken word, almost like rap, but not at all, and you wonder what they're saying. I know no more than two words of Turkish (or whatever languages these songs are in), but that's the point: you don't need to understand the words to get the spirit of the music.

There's not space to go into every track - but believe me, each track is definitely worth talking about. The album ends on a strong note with the rousing, sweet/sad Elo Dino, which reminds me, for no reason I can think of, of powwow songs. I was just thinking about how well this music would work in a film when I learned that Kardes Türküler are actually somewhere on the soundtrack to Kingdom of Heaven.

So I really urge you to get this album, if you enjoy good and uplifting music, or just living. And if you're into Turkish and Middle Eastern music you simply cannot pass this by.