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Most of our CDs have been imported from Europe or Asia. They are not all shrink-wrapped, and I am not going to con you by wrapping them here just to make you think they have been sterilized in America. I guarantee that the CDs and the contents are all brand new and in perfect condition. Whenever I can, I use recycled shipping materials. They may not look as pretty on the outside, but they save money and keep the trash dumps a little bit emptier.
Thanks- Cliff, cdRoots

Music from Turkey

Music of Asia Minor and Constantinople - En Chordais - 18.99
For centuries, the interaction between Greek, Turkish and many ethnic groups gave rise, in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the great cities of Asia Minor, to a musical culture which could be qualified as a perfect example of intercultural integration. The Oriental style called smyrnaika, played on violin, oud, qanun and santoor had a strong influence on rebetiko, today acknowledged as Greece's national music. This recording by the Greek group En Chordais illustrates to perfection this musical tradition of Asia Minor.

Istanbul - Dimitrie Cantemir - Hesperion XXI, Jordi Savall - 24.99
This release is mainly based on 'The Book of Science of Music,' published in 1710 by the Moldavian prince Dimitrie Cantemir, after many years spent in Istanbul. This unique manuscript enables us to discover rare jewels of Turkish traditional music. Jordi Savall already included some of the pieces from this collection in his album Orient-Occident (AVSA 9848), but he decided to explore it further. This portrait of Istanbul wouldn't have been complete without selections from the fascinating Armenian and Sephardic repertoire that was also familiar in the city during this time. Savall attempts to sheds new light on a Golden Age of cultural dialogue, with the help of Hespèrion XXI and outstanding Turkish and Armenian guests musicians. The result is a 'Jordi Savall experience' that goes beyond far beyond music.

Echoes from Afar - Old World Tangos Vol.1 - various - 18.99
A look at how the tango affected the world's music in a series of early performances from Rumania (Jean Moscopol, Titi Botez); Turkey (Seyyan Hanim, Ibrahim Özgür); Russia (Pjotr Leschenko); Greece (Sofia Vembo); Egypt (Farid El Atrache) and Algeria (Lili Boniche).

Along The Street (Ethno-Jazz, Turkey) - Asiaminor - 18.99
Ethno-Jazz from Turkey

The Fountain - Turkish Musical Traditions - Dem Trio - 17.99
The Turkish trio of Murat Ozturk (baglama, tanbura, lavta, cumbus, voice), Murat Salim Tokac (tanbur, ney) and Cenk Guray (fretless baglama, divan sazi) are joined by guests Nursah Acun (voice) and Emre Erdal (kemence) present a 'chamber music' approach to the ancient Ottoman culture, presented in a contemporary interpretation, strongly underlying the relationship betweeen Turkish music and that of the neighbouring regions (Greece, the Balkans, the Middle-East).

folk music of Turkey (Topic 908) - Topic World Series - 19.99
Excellent representative cross-section of Turkish Anatolian music which remained unique and unaffected by western European influence.

Neverland Fusion - Yildirim Levent - 17.99
The leader of a new generation of darbuka players in Turkey, inspired by both the Egyptian and Turkish traditions and by the technique of the Indian maestros. This new album contains two solo pieces, but the bulk of the eight tracks feature him playing with both traditional instruments and contemporary electronics and programming in a fusion of styles. The disc is accompanied by a free bonus DVD with live and studio footage and an interview.

Caz Roman - Mustafa Kandirali Ensemble - 17.99
1984 German radio recordings by the Turkish clarinetist before a live audience are powerful testament to the incredible musicianship and innovation that Kandirali brought to his music. Kandirali (clarinet) is joined by Metin Bukey (oud); Ahmet Meter (kanoun); Cetin Cerce (bongos); Ahmet Kulik (darbuka). Recorded live at the WDR Funkhaus, Cologne and the Rheinisches Musikfest, Dusseldorf, Germany in June, 1984. Includes detailed liner notes by Birger Gesthuisen.

Master of Turkish Clarinet - Mustafa Kandirali - 19.99
The master of the Turkish clarinet, presented in well-remastered redcording, with good English notes. fRoots says: 'This is an infectious, upbeat and highly attractive production.The full range of Kandirali's playing is represented, from the profoundly knowledgable taksim in mode Karcigar to the exuberent, irreverent and quite brilliant Modern Anadol, and the effect of this diversity is actually to underline the essential unity of Kandirali's style. The accompaniment is quite stunning, with some of the finest percussion you will hear on a CD of this kind - and check out the bagpipe imitations played by the violinist on Kirbaç Romani.'

Athar (Footprints) - Sameer Makhoul - 17.99
Solo ud performances of traditional Arab music, ancient poetry and Turkish and Andalusian music.

From The Day I Was Tossed Here - Abidin Ensemble - 17.99
The record label says: 'Formed in Jerusalem in 2001 to celebrate and commemorate the 100th birthday of the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, the ensemble presents Hikmet's poetry put to music by Turkish composer Erdem Buri (1923-1993) and by Yaghi Malka. Buri's works are sung in the original Turkish, Malka's works were especially translated for this show, and are sung for the first time in Hebrew. The ensemble is: vocalist Victoria Serruya, cellist Yaghi Malka, double bass player Ehud Gerlich and percussionist Oren Fried. Their diverse range of musical sources and experiences, ranging from Western classical to jazz and ethnic music, has created a unique fusion of sound and form.'

Grand Bazaar - Istanbul Oriental Ensemble - 17.99
This 2006 release by one of Turkey’s most successful ensembles features a new line-up incorporating conservatory-trained young musicians who have injected a burst of new energy into the group. Taking their inspiration from Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar – the world’s biggest covered market – they present arrangements with a contemporary feel that echo the atmosphere of this vibrant city while still respecting the great tradition of Ottoman music. Master percussionist Burhan Ocal once again leads the group, as he has for the past fifteen years.

Arsiv kayitlari (Archive Recordings - 2 CDs) - Özay Gönlüm - 22.99
Archival recordings of the self-educated baglama master. Presented in an elegant 2 CD set with a small hard cover book in English and Turkish, with extensive historical and musical notes.

The Desperate - Cihat Askin - 14.99
The soundtrack to the movie Umutsuz (The Desperate) features the great Turkish violinist on original compositions, Azeri and Armenian folk songs and pieces from Tchaikovsky and Rahmaninof.

Kar Mi Yagmis Su Harput'un Basina (2 CDs) - Enver Demirbag - 19.99
Turkish singer Enver Demirbag presents 'Harput music' recordings from 1961 to 1990, in 29 tracks on 2 CDs.

Fenci's Blues - Shtreiml and Ismail Fencioglu - 15.99
The third recording by the wonderful Canadian based klezmer ensemble led by harmonica player Jason Rosenblatt explores ancient connections with Turkey, via the work of Turkish udist Ismail Hakki Fencioglu.

Haydar Haydar: Masters Of Turkish - Various Artists - 15.99
Names like Tanburi Cemil Bey, Refik Bey and Münir Nurettin Selçuk inspire the same passions in Turkey that King Oliver, Dock Boggs and Charley Patton do in the United States. These vintage recordings of Turkish music by a number of great Turkish musicians span the first fifty years of the 20th century, from 1906 to 1953. Repertoire includes Ottoman court, folk, and popular music

Gazeller 3: Gazels on 78 rpm Records - various - 17.99
Classic recordings of Turkish gazel, beautifully remastered from old 78s, presented in a small hard-cover book format with copious historical notes in Turkish and English.

Udi Hrant - Udi Hrant - 16.99
In the tradition of the ud, there is no one quite like Udi Hrant. His style was personal, impeccable and passionate, his power on the instrument was remarkable, and these 1950 recordings show all of this beautifully. Born in the last stages of the Ottoman Empire, the blind Armenian musician is considered one of the greatest masters of the 12-stringed, fretless lute. Previously unissued, these tapes were recorded in New York during his tour to the United States in 1950.

Dumbaba - Kadir Urun and Deli Selim - 17.99
A compilation of Thracian Gypsy musicians Deli Selim (clarinet) and Kadir Ürün (voice)

Karnataka - Okay Temiz - 17.99
A firmly rooted contemporary jazz recording that veers off in many directions; with The Karnataka College of Percussion, Ramamani (vocals), T.A.S. Mani (mridangam), Mike Nielson (guitar), Ronan Guilfoyle (acoustic bass guitar), Ramesh Shotham (percussion)

Istanbul 1925 - various Turkish - special order
Performances of Turkey's greatest artists were recorded by His Master's Voice in Turkey and issued on 78 rpm records. This compilation presents some choice examples, digitally remastered from the original metal parts, allowing the quality of the music to be heard for the first time without the additional distortion and surface noise of early 78 discs. Performances by Sükrü Tunar, Kemani Nubar, Kanuni Artaki, Münir Nurettin Selçuk, Udi Hrant and many others. Includes 23 page booklet with extensive liner notes and rare photographs.

Dialog - Yildirim Levent - 18.99
A powerful and unique recording by this Turkish percussionist, who performs on darbuka, daf, bendir, deholla, and other small percussion instruments, does some pyrotechnic 'mouth music' percussion, and on some tracks is accompanied by a small group of guests on bass, percussion, clarinet, baglama, tampura and ney

Lazuri Birape - Heyamo - Birol Topaloglu - 16.99
Contemporary interpretations of traditional Laz music from Turkey.An essential recording for this music that uses both modern instruments and a wide range of unique folk instruments, from bagpipes to strings to percussion, all surrounding a multitude of male and female voices.

Three Master Musicians of Urfa (2CDs) - Kel Hamza - Mukim Tahir - Bekci Bakir - 21.99
For the first time on CD, the works of three master singers of Urfa, Mukim Tahir (Tahir Oturan), Kel Hazma (Hamza Senses) and Bekçi Bakir (Bakir Yurtsever). Al tracks are from 78s recorded in 1928 and later recordings conducted in collection projects conductd in Urfa in 1938, digitally remasterewd for this collection. 2 CDs and an accompanying hardcover book with extensive notes in Turkish and English.

Alla-Turca - Ozel Turkbas - 16.99
Recorded in Istanbul in the 1960s, the heyday of the Turkish nightclub scene, Alla-Turca is one of the most influential bellydance albums of the era, featuring dancer Özel Türkbas and a line-up of legendary Turkish and Turkish-Gypsy musicians. This reissue includes bonus tracks from a second classic Özel bellydance album, Kismet, featuring the great ney master Aka Gündüz Kutbay. Notes include Özel’s original bellydance instructions, with illustrations.

How To Make Your Husband A Sultan - Özel Türkbas, w/ Mustafa Kandirali - 15.99
Yes, in spite of the horrendous cover and the dreadful title, herein lies some of the real deal, brilliantly performed 'belly-dance' music from the 1960s featuring some of the era's most respected performers including Mustafa Kandirali, clarinet and Ahmet Yatman, kanun. In the guise of that swing-era staple, the art of domestic seduction, and produced by and featuring the famous Turkish dancer Özel Türkbas (first brought to America to dance by Italian movie director Franco Zeferelli), this album originally sold 150,000 copies in the US (and a million in Turkey), spawning the craze for bellydance and Turkish music that continues today.

Neva - Salih Bilgin and Murat Aydemir - 15.99
Nevâ presents music for ney (flute) and tanbur (lute) from Turkish and the Ottoman traditions.

Volumes 4 and 5 (2 CDs) - Tanburi Cemil Bey - 17.99
Renowned for his contributions to the suite forms known as pesrev and saz semai and also through improvisations (taksims) on tanbur and kemençe, Cemil Bey has been the benchmark for modern Turkish composers and performers. These recordings from 1910 to 1914 include taksims, some of Cemil Bey's best compositions, and rare collaborations with great early 20th-century Turkish singers and instrumentalists. All have been digitally remastered using the state-of-the-art CEDAR system.

Karsilama - Okay Temiz: The Zurna Project - 17.99
An adventurous recording by the Turkish percussionist focuses on the zurna, the double reed horn and featuring master musician Ahmet Ozden. It skitters between tradition and the avant garde with an ensemble of vocalist, 4 zurna players and two percussionists.

Keep in your hearts (Songs of Asik Veysel) - Kobzos Kiss Tamás and Erdal Salikoglu - 16.99
Duets for saz and voice by two Hungarian musicians, in homage to the great Trukish artist.

Alli Turnam (Archive Series) - Haci Tasan - 16.99
Classic recordings of the Turkish baglama

Cig Turkuleri - Cig - 16.99
Çig Türküleri perform traditional and popular folk music from Turkey; an expert septet that places equal emphasis on bendir, kaval, ney and zurna and electric guitar, drums and bass. The sounds range from very traditional to brightly modern.

Macar - Melike - 17.99
Melike breathes new life into the old troubadour songs by creating a Turkish folk style that belongs to the young generation of today. It is a meeting of musicians each with his own roots and background, who come together in the context of Turkish folksongs, influenced and adapted by the Arabic, Turkish, European Jazz and Brazilian idioms they provide. The project was conceived like a novel about Macar and the war.

Dogu - Kardes Turkuler - 16.99
Kardes Türküler (Ballads of Fraternity) is the second productlon of the Music Group of Bogaziçi Performing Arts Ensemble (BPAE).

Balkan Messengers - Balkan Messengers - 16.99
Renowned Balkan accordionist Neskho Neshev and a band of drums, bass and violin kick open the Balkan sound with a jazzy edge and a lot of attitude

Maftirim: Judeo-Sufi Connection - Maftirim - temp out of stock-21.99
Maftirim is a collaboration between Jewish mystics and Mevlani Sufis. This is a rare recording of the music. The CD is beautifully packageed with a multilingual booklet with lyrics and historical perspectives

Ahenk, Turkish Classical Music - Derya Türkan and Murat Aydemir - 15.99
Two talented classical Turkish musicians present a most colorful collection of well-known works of virtuoso Turkish composers. Murat Aydemir (tanbur), Derya Türkan (classical kemenche).

Masterworks of Itri and Meragi - Ihsan Özgen and Anatolia Ensemble - 15.99
Ihsan Özgen (vocals and tanbur), Ahmet Kaya (ney), Neva Özgen (kemençe), M. Refik Kaya (rebab, kudüm, bendir), Yelda Özgen (violoncello).

Ashiklar, Those Who Are In Love (Turkish Folk Music) - various - 15.99
Rootsy and vital performances of a unique folk music from from Turkey, performed by Ashik Mahsuni Serif (baglama and vocals), Musa Eroglu (baglama and vocals), Ashik Bahattin Kader (baglama and vocals), Ashik Nuri Kiliç (baglama and vocals), Ashik Ali (baglama and vocals).

Remembrances of Ottoman Composers - Ihsan Özgen - 15.99
Spontaneous and primarily solo, contemporary performances by Ihsan Ozgen (kemenche), with Mercan Dede adding occasional percussion.

Lingo Lingo - Barbaros Erköse Ensemble - 15.99
Turkish clarinet virtuoso, Barbaros Erköse, presents an array of Turkish light classical fasil and urban music in the driving and fluid improvisational style found among Roman (Gypsy) urban musicians of Turkey. Barbaros Erköse (clarinet), Onur Yagcilar (violin), Tuncay Erköse (violoncello), Sener Büyükdereli (kanun), Serdar Karacay (oud), Saban Erköse (darbuka), Ìbrahim Torol (kenar / frame drum).

Early Recordings (Volume 1) - Mesut Cemil - 15.99
Masterworks of Turkish classical music performed by the son of the legendary Tanburi Cemil Bey. Mesut Cemil (1902-1963) learned basic kemençe (a three stringed Turkish violin) techniques from his father and then the tanbur (a fretted, long necked lute) later in life. These classic recordings chart a significant moment in the music's history.

Instrumental and Vocal Recordings (Vols. 2 and 3) - Mesut Cemil - 21.99
2 more Cds of important music from this legendary performer and composer oif Turkey

Letter from Istanbul - Derya Türkan and Sokratis Sinopoulos - 15.99
Derya Türkan - kemençe; Sokratis Sinopoulos - kemençe and lavta; Ugur Isik - violoncello; Taner Sayacioglu - kanun; Serdar Bisiren - daire; Oktay Özerdem - bendir

Legacy - Neva Özgen with Ihsan Özgen - 15.99
Neva Ozgen - kemence, with Ihsan Ozgen - tanbur and rebab

Jardin Ottoman - Ottoman Garden - Burhan Ocal - 11.99
(CUT OUT) - A solo set of songs for tanbur and voice

Magnetic Orient - Okay Temiz Magnetic Band - 17.99
The Turkish percussionist continues his explorations of folk and jazz fusion, joined by an ensemble that reflects global aspirations while maintaining a truly local sound.

Hicaz Dolop - Laco Tayfa - 15.99
Laço Tayfa represents a new synthesis within the Turkish Gypsy tradition. Under the leardership of clarinetist Hüsnü Senlendirici, Laço Tayfa brings Turkish regional folk music into a dialogue with modern global music styles, driven by an adventurous improvisational approach.

One - Omar Faruk Tekbilek - special order - e-mail me
Compositions by Yuval Ron, performed with Yair Dalal, Azam Ali, Pejman Hadadi, Haim Louk and Nabil Azzam

Anatolian Village Music - various - special order
Recordings from the Musee d'ethnographie in Geneva's 'Archives internationales de musiques populaire' See the complete series.

Heybeli'den Son Vapur - Bosphorus - temp out of stock-17.99
The ensemble Bosphorus is comprised of veteran virtuosi specialized in Ottoman music. Founded in 1986 by Nikiforos Metaxas, a Byzantine music specialist, it became one of the first musical ensembles to seriously explore the roots of both Greek and Turkish music and their impact on oneanother. 'Last Boat from Halki' is a set of new compositions on the themes of emigration and the island of Halki (Heybeli) in the sea of Marmara.

Deliveren - Seven Aksu - temp out of stock-17.99
2001 release from the Turkish diva usually performs purely pop contempory music, but on Deliveren she manages to find a bit of the roots-influence she had many years back. Not for those with a need for real roots, but for those who just love a great vocalist no matter the source, this might be for you.

Devr-i Alem - Buzuki Orhan Osman - temp out of stock-16.99
This German born Greek, now based in Istanbul, is a modern master of the bouzouki. With a large band of giutars, cura, flutes, percussion, banjo, horns and reeds, and a roster of guest vocalists, he produces contremporary Turkish/Balkan music that has spirit, verve and originality.

Zikir - Okay Temiz - temp out of stock-16.99
One of the most in-demand percussionist/drummers in any country, Turkish musician Okay Temiz has made a name for himself in Turkish traditional music and international jazz. This CD sees him in a small ensemble setting with ney (flute), piano, saxophones and bass (acoustic and electric).

Bedouin Blues - Abaji - temp out of stock-16.99
With Lebanese ann Turkish roots, this instrument builder and music (ud, oud-guitar, sitar-guitar) presents a personal and eclectic view of middle-eastern music.

Kara Deniz - L'Attirail - temp out of stock-16.99
The 6th album of music from the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean by this wonderful French band. The title means Black Sea in Turkish, symbolizing the meeting of Slav, Greek, Romanian, Albanian influences, and the convergence of Christian, Jewish, Muslim ideals of the region. `Formed as a duet by guitarist Xavier Demerliac, they are now a quintet, (plus a host of guests from all overt he region), playing trumpet, clarinet, doudouk, flutes, drums and percussion, double bass, accordion and violin. It's an imaginary landscape where Balkan, Gypsy, klezmer, cabaret, and more all peacefuly coexist in musical harmony.

Passion - Yurdal Tokcan - temp out of stock-15.99
Solo oud improvisations by Turkish musician

Turkish Authentic Saz - Okan Murat Ozturk - temp out of stock
Okan Murat Öztürk is often cited as omne of the best of the contemporary Turkish saz players, and this 1999 recording is one of his most requested performances. He plays various types of saz - baglama, tambura, cura, divan, bass and others, accompanied by Ercan Irmak on kaval and Berat Tekin on bendir.

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul - various - temp out of stock-17.99
Soundtrack music from Fatih Akin's film 'Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul' with contemporary Greek music by Alexander Hacke with Baba Zula, Orient Expression, Duman, Replikas, Erkin Koray, Ceza, Istanbul Style Breakers, Mercan Dede, Selim Sesler, Brenna MacCrimmon, Siyasiyabend, Aynur, Orhan Gencebay, Müzeyyen Senar, Sezen Aksu. This is a Spanish release of the recording, titles 'Cruzando el Puente: El sonidos de Istambul'. Songs are in English, Turkish and other.

Nupel - Aynur - temp out of stock-17.99
Nûpel is the second release by this Kurdish/Turkish singer is rich, complex and modern. It will attract new fans (and infuriate old foes). fRoots calls it 'a rush of ideas and unexpected musical juxtapositions' and that her 'artistic achievement is that she manages to be original within tradition... secure enough in her roots to build on them and dare to change things.'

Tangolar: The Bel Ami of Turkish Tango - Ibrahim Ozgur - temp out of stock-18.99
In the late 20s and 30s tango was very popular in Turkey. For many composers and singers it was the first contact they had with "western" music. Turkish musicians and singer Ibrahim Özgür wrote many tango songs and had an evident talent for nostalgia. His velvety voice was predestined for romantic tangos. The songs on this CD were recorded in Istanbul between 1938 and 1949.

Klezmer for the Sultan - Yinon Muallem - temp out of stock-18.99
Born in Israel of Iraqi parents, this musician became immersed in the music of the Balkans and the middle east at an early age, and went on to work with some great artists, including Ross Daly, Alim Gazimov and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. In 2002 he moved to Turkey to build a new ensemble and write new compositions. Arabic, Indian, Balkan, Persian, Jewish and jazz music all enter the picture, but the end result is something personal and unique.