Hava Narghile: Turkish Rock Music 1966 to 1975, Vol. 1

The dawn of the 21st century found a new interest in the international garage/psych world for a particular late 60s/early to mid 70s scene in Turkey that hadn’t traveled too much beyond its borders at the time, even though a fair number of its acts were notable domestic hitmakers. 2001’s Hava Narghile, released as an initial volume in a series though no followup ever appeared, was an excellent introduction via the Bacchus Archives label, with compilers Gökhan Aya and Jay Dobis providing much information and fascinating detail in their liner notes and featuring many standout acts like Erkin Koray, Baris Manço and Mogollar. Anglophonic influences were understandably key, in sometimes surprising fashion – at one point it’s noted that the obscure US band the Id had a notable hit in the country with “Short Circuit,” leading to covers like the included “Sasirdim” by Kaygisizlar, while little surprise that what often sounds like surf-derived music at points might more appropriately be called a wider regional feedback loop thanks to the Lebanese-descended Dick Dale. There were plenty of wholly homegrown traditions drawn on in turn, with the distinct sound of electrified versions of the saz, a form of lute that had been used for centuries in Turkish music, playing a notable role in many of the recordings.