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Turkish psych is singular in the way that the artists saw no line between their own traditional music and the sonic exploration taking place in this far-reaching movement. Turkish bands regularly electrifyed folk melodies that had existed for centuries, playing them with a overblown abandon that rivaled Blue Cheer yet carried a gravity and beauty that far surpassed any hard-driven rock. Often in celebration of nature, the songs are sung with a desperation and passion their western counterparts reserved for love songs only, creating a uniquely awesome body of work. Sporadic reissues of Erkin Koray and 3 Hur El aside, the genre has been largely unavailable in the U.S. and nearly unapproachable--however this compilation collects a respectable range of Turkish stars and cult figures, creating a immediately accessible and immensely enjoyable introduction to this brilliant strain of psychedelia.

Also available on vinyl.