mogollar (rare earth XXII)

mogollar - anadolu pop (turquía, 1971)

Like we said in the 3 Hur-el review, above, the Middle Eastern '60s/'70s psychedelic rock scene is quite a happenin' phenomenon here at Aquarius -- bands from Istanbul blending the "heavy" beat sounds of London, L.A. and San Francisco with their own ethnic musical traditions. So, along with that great 3 Hur-el disc, we're *really* pleased to have just gotten cd copies in stock of a 1971 album by the fantastic Mogollar (or Les Mogol as they were known in France, where this LP was first released). This band has been a super favorite of ours ever since we first heard 'em on the "Love Peace & Poetry: Asian Psychedelia", "Turkish Delights", and "Hava Narghile" compilations. Yep, they appeared on all three of those fab comps, deservedly so as they were not only one of Turkey's biggest pop bands of the time but also one of the best, near as we can tell. They formed in 1967, playing a style of experimental psychedelic rock based on the folk music of the Anatolian region of Turkey. Their unique Anatolian (or Anadolu) "pop" sound is simply a delight, as amply demonstrated by this particular album. It features 13 tracks (none of 'em to be found on the aforementioned comps) that are based on traditional songs -- but for sure the original versions didn't sound like this, so groovy and hip. They employ some standard sixties rock instrumention -- plenty of electric organ getting almost "Inna-gadda-da-vida"-ish at times -- but also really bring the traditional Turkish instruments to the fore, playing ikligs and baglamas and darbukas and kasiks...all kinds of stringed and percussion instruments, often used traditionally but more often just fiercely strummed to great rock 'n' roll heights. Compared to 3 Hur-el's "Hurel Arsivi" this almost-all-instrumental album is folkier *and* jazzier, the electric organ giving some tracks a kind of Martin Denny exotica vibe. Both discs, though, would make great party records. Highly recommended!!

La portada que veis se corresponde a la edición francesa del disco, la más extendida y la que, supongo, llegó a Europa: Danses et rythmes de la Turquie d'hier à aujourd'hui'. Así, buscar el albúm por su título original es un pérdida de tiempo. Es posible que sea más bonito el nombre que en Francia se le dió pero ese Anadolu Pop resulta muy revelador. Provenientes de la región Anatolia (la parte más oriental del país) recogen el mágico y excitante folclore de la zona, emanando de sus cuerdas y percusiones un traditional-folk infeccioso e irrestible que, en ocasiones, se ve aderezado por oscuras líneas de bajo, teclados y sintes.

Consultando páginas occidentales, figura siempre este disco como su debut, pero en realidad no es así, hay más de 10 grabaciones desde su debut en el 68, lo que desconozco es cuales de ellas son lp's y cuales ep's. De hecho, dudo de si se trata de una recopilación, puesto que comparando las primeras canciones con las últimas, en las que se introducen claramente en la psicodelia, parece haber una evolución en su sonido. Recuperado por el indispensable sello, yo diría esencial, World Psychedelia. Pocas palabras tengo para describir su música, se me agotan, que hablen 'Madimak' o 'Toroslar' eastern-folk en estado puro. Un eterno preferido.

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