Though enjoying a well-respected position in blues mythology; back porches are pack porches everywhere on earth at the end of the day, as those semi-public spaces always host the most sincere, intimate musical gatherings reflecting the essence of solidarity of local clusters whilst exposing many grass-roots hints on what was or is happening on the local scenes. Other than being assertive on the authenticity of locations in order to advocate the organic essence of the performances; “Turkish Back Porch Scene” series of Bone Union Records aim at presenting an never-unheard-before collection as featuring a modest sum of musical gatherings whilst promoting the most authentic blues performances recorded in Turkey up to this date.
Go grab a bottle of “arak” and a smoked drumstick to enjoy this grass-roots compilation. Further volumes are about to arrive.
The music is available on all download and streaming platforms.
MoeJoe, now respectively known as “the ever first electric blues band in Turkey” was founded by Feramerz Ayadi, İzi Ergil and Vefa Karatay in 1994, in Istanbul. Instead of other contemporary blues rock bands which were keen to cover the scholastic repertoire of 60’s and 70’s alumnis, Moe Joe chose a different path to follow by putting an emphasize on covering the milestones of post-war Chicago blues repertoire thus, choosing to struggle hard on the club scene for finding a venue in late 90’s. Hence, in time, the venues hosting the performances of the band in various cities in Turkey became a shelter for local purist audiences.
In 1996, Sarp Keskiner (vocal, guitar, harmonica) and İlhan Babaoğlu (alto and soprano saxophone) joined the band; both were until then well – known members of phenomenal Istanbul Blues Company. Under guidance of Keskiner and Ayadi, Moe Joe centered upon Chicago Southside & Westside standards, spicy Detroit style boogies, early Texas shuffles and dark Louisiana grooves.
Between 1998 and 2001, the band set the heights for the musical quality of this genre on the national scene by adding harmonica virtuoso – flautist Tuğrul Aray to its line-up and back from NYC, enter Ergin Özler to take over the drum stool aiming at to bring the swinging authenticity to the sextet.
After releasing the “all originals” debut album, “Chicago Istanbul Mainline” in 2000, Moe Joe received rave reviews from national and international music media; having been interviewed and guested on various magazines, web sites, radio and TV channels.
From 2001 Caribbean, Brazilian and Afro – Cuban beats into their well-established sound, while stabilizing the line up as a quintet; with addition of Özün Usta (conga, djembe, cajon). Within this context, live recordings compiled in this album which were recorded in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir direct to DAT tapes feature the diversity of a veteran Turkish blues band, which is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary of foundation in 2024.
The music is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
At last, here we are to represent Begtas’ official debut EP that emphasize his interest in Native American culture while he kicks up some dark dirt and dust, with a little help from his friend; a local axe, Alper Uzun.
Kemal Begtaş: 3 string cigar box guitar, bass, drum programming, sampling Alper Uzun: on lead guitar
All tracks are recorded, edited and mastered by Kemal Begtaş (2022 / Izmir, Turkey). Cover illustration assembled by Kemal Begtaş (2023 / Izmir, Turkey).
The music is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
As close buddies both born and raised in Izmir, Turkey and commissioned to compose numerous soundtracks for a massive radio drama project in 2007, Keskiner and Urgancıoğlu decided to take the next step to enhance and sustain their creative alliance, right after delivering the ordered bundle to test the limits of their sonic intersections.
Thus namely as Tabiat Brothers, both producers created a sonic mélange that display their warped ways of blending folk, blues, funk and tropicalia. Veterans of the Turkish indie scene are featured on various tracks namely as drummer – composer Orcun Basturk and drummer – composer Ozun Usta.
The music is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
Since our foundation in 2020, as you know we aimed, advocated and promised to present you to the most hidden gems of “Turkish blues society” and you all will remember that even than we strongly emphasized our intension to mine and “exhibit” all kinds of correlations that display “the unique marriage of grassroots heritage of Turkish blues, soul, funk and reggae scene with free impro / noise / free jazz scene”.
So from now on, we are proud to announce that our roster will be once in a while be ornamented by releasing some obscure releases that indicates the ecotones between roots music, funk and the ‘free impro’ scene of Turkey; as we salute the addition of the roster of KRONOVOX ARCHIVES (soundcloud.com/kronovoxarchives), an indie label founded in 2004 holding the magic keys to access to “never heard before” archives of the most adventurous baskets of Turkish free music scene.
Relevant to that fresh news and in line with our label’s mission, recently we are encouraging our artists to create reworks and remixes of previously released / unreleased materials that stands harmonious with our circular culture approach, which we had long ago adopted, announced and advocated.
So in brief; be ready to explore a curious sonic map that will display the wild diversity of Turkish contemporary underground scene; where musical notions of Blind Willie Johnson, Pere Ubu, Peter Tosh, Velvet Underground, The Fall or Arts Ensemble of Chicago may well indeed be blended together.
An outcome of a one-shot home recording session designed by Bilgin and Keskiner (both Anglophiles with a deep respect in Mod culture); this EP truly captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of a metropolitan where nobody on the scene in Izmir, Turkey in mid-2010’s tends to give away a dime for any attempt that blends blues and roots reggae with a slight touch of Jerry Garcia (of Grateful Dead).
Take both tracks as a sample of a wide hearted trial; while swiftly riding away on your scooter…
Recorded and mixed by Tayfun Bilgin (2014 / Izmir, Turkey.
The music is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
As locals of Denizli, founded in 2016 by Mustafa Kaçar and Onur Çağlar in Izmir, Turkey; Mechanical Rooster is proud to present their new single after their debut album: “Episode One”.
Supervised by Turkish blues veteran / producer Sarp Keskiner, the band suggests an innovative formula by blending urban blues with old school hip hop while preaching their idiosyncratic view on daily issues in a cut-up tradition, reminding pioneers of the Beat Generation. Keep on blowin’, bend it deep!
The track is released digital only and available on all streaming and download platforms.
Now enjoying a cult status on the national scene, Istanbul Blues Kumpanyasi 1 was founded by Sarp Keskiner and Salih Nazim Peker in 1993, modeled on early 60’s collectives namely as Blues Inc. and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (UK) with promoting ever changing line ups, up to who was available for live occasions.
As a wayward collective, the “Company” supplied an experimental ground for nearly every musician of the era based in Istanbul, who were in a way associated with traditional blues, gospel, jazz and free improvisational music and this audio document features the band’s last line up; before they dive deep into Turkish underground psyche extravaganza in 1998.
Besides all, Istanbul Blues Kumpanyasi was the ever and last band booked to perform on phenomenal Efes Pilsen Blues Festival, sharing the bill with legendary names like Nappy Brown and Eddie Kirkland in 1997. Even today, many blues purists and musicians in Turkey who were a part of the audience then, now salute the band’s hyperactive performance and the inspiration they gave, while encouraging many names to take an excursion to dive deep into depths of unknown chapters of blues genres.
Recorded directly to DAT at Hilton İstanbul Convention Center for his personal favor by the technical director of the festival; this historical audio document features a gang of young enthusiastic musicians, sincerely in love with black music elements while enjoying their lively twenties.
The EP is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
On this compilation you find a cross section of the music that was released on Bone Union Records in 2020 and 2021.
Founded in June 2020 by Sarp Keskiner (TR) and Jan Mittendorp (NL) in order to create a ground for mutual cultural exchange, BONE UNION RECORDS aims to document a neglected musical scene in Turkey not just by releasing archival material from mid-90’s to this date; but also keen on releasing brand new material from Turkish artists.
Though the scope mainly consist rare recordings of local traditional blues, urban blues and gospel acts, the material varies wildly by inclusion of folk, funk, dub, noise and experimental releases, that goes way beyond the borders of conventional blues.
Tracklisting:
Nobody Has No Time (to Listen to Music Completely) – Kemal Begtas & Sarp Keskiner Holy Shit – Mechanical Rooster Glory Hallelujah #1 – Mama & Friends Easy Life – Mechanical Rooster Good Morning Little School Girl – The Old Ramblers Republic Radio (live) – Great Republic of South C. C. Rider – Mama & Friends Driftin Blues – Senel Karatepe Shame Shame Shame – The Old Ramblers Black Eyed Dog – The Underdogs So Worried – The Shrimps Walkin Blues – Senel Karatepe Viola Lee – The Old Ramblers Come On In My Kitchen – Mama & Friends
Including solo acoustic recordings of Karatepe dating back to 2005 and 2006, “Hard Times” represents a timeframe of an era in Izmir (Turkey); a city, rarely hosts a space for loyal performers of traditional blues forms. Born and based in Lüleburgaz (a modest city, located on the Bulgarian – Turkish border) since 2017, Karatepe is skilled on creating a silky and a liquid style while covering most known tunes of legendary names such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Charles Brown, Big Bill Broonzy and Ray Charles.
Şenel Karatepe – vocals, acoustic guitar
Mixing and Mastering: Kartal Doğrul Cover Photo: Sarp Keskiner
The album is released digital and available on all the download and streaming platforms.
We founded Bone Union Records together with Sarp Keskiner (TR) in June 2020. The label aims to document a neglected musical scene in Turkey not just by releasing archival material from mid-90’s to this date; but also keen on releasing brand new material from Turkish artists. Though the scope mainly consist rare recordings of local traditional blues, urban blues and gospel acts, the material varies wildly by inclusion of folk, funk, dub, noise and experimental releases, that goes way beyond the borders of conventional blues. Thus, the label supports any musical efforts to improve the chances of exchange of blues and neighboring genres between Netherlands and Turkey.
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