Selda

Universal language, beauty unspeakable, timelessness--with this record, every cliche ever spoken about the transcendental nature of music comes true. Recorded in 1976, by a Turkish woman who was alternately in love with the tradition of her country and heartbroken over its oppression of the people, Selda Bagcan's debut LP effortlessly speaks to every single person that hears it. The desperation in her voice reaches across years, across language and enters right into your heart. The simple, engaging arrangements weave together the most universal folk traditions with the singular hazy beauty of Turkish music and the increasing psychedelic influence that western music was exerting on the region. Every song is a gem, a true delight begging to be heard again and again. This CD is one of those exceptionally rare discs that every single employee here owns, and I personally won't rest until everyone I love has heard it.