Baba Zula

Baba Zula

Baba Zula is an alternative musical group from Istanbul, Türkiye, active since 1996. The group works in avant-garde, dub, electronica, experimental, psychedelic and psychedelic folk styles, and is closely associated with a Turkish sound it describes as “Oriental Dub”.

Formation and line-up

The band forms around Murat Ertel, Levent Akman and Emre Onel, who first come together as a side project of the Anatolian rock group Zen. The current line-up includes Murat Ertel on lead vocals, saz, other strings and theremin; Levent Akman on percussion and drum machine; Ümit Adakale; Esma Ertel; and Emre Onel. Emre Onel is a former member, having been part of the group until 2003. Coşar Kamçı joins on goblet drum in 2003, and Ceren Oykut adds live video from 2004.

Sound and live performance

The group’s music combines traditional Turkish instruments with electronic elements, recorded natural sounds, and both acoustic and electronic textures. Its method develops from improvisation into fixed musical forms through recordings and rehearsals, a process the band carries into concerts and work for film and theatre. Live shows often include additional visual and performance elements such as live drawing, video, belly dancing, elaborate costumes, poetry, theatre and live animation.

Baba Zula’s instrumentation includes the darbuka, electric saz, spoons, ney and clarinet alongside electronics. The band’s approach links Turkish musical traditions with modern experimental methods and draws on references ranging from Sufi-Islamic tradition to older Anatolian and shamanic roots.

Recordings and collaborations

The debut release, Tabutta Rövaşata, is the original soundtrack to Derviş Zaim’s film of the same name. The album includes vocals by Ahmet Uğurlu, Tuncel Kurtiz and Aysel Aydemir. In 1999 the band releases Üç Oyundan Onyedi Müzik, music created for stage productions of The Little Prince, Frog Tales and Kitchen Accidents.

Psychebelly Dance Music follows in 2003, mixed and mastered by Mad Professor, who also works with Massive Attack, The Orb and Lee Perry. Duble Oryantal appears in 2005 on Doublemoon Records and also involves Mad Professor, Sly & Robbie and Alexander Hacke. Roots is released in 2007 and returns the group to a trio format, with guest vocalist Brenna MacCrimmon appearing on one track. The release also draws on the work of Turkish composers and lyricists including Neşet Ertaş and Pir Sultan Abdal, and uses analog recording techniques associated with Mehmet Ateş.

The group also composes for film, including Renkli Türkçe and Dondurmam Gaymak. It appears in Fatih Akın’s Crossing the Bridge, and also records with Alexander Hacke for film work.

Guest musicians and performances

Baba Zula frequently works with guest musicians. Names associated with the group include Selim Sesler, Brenna MacCrimmon, Alexander Hacke, Fred Frith, Jaki Liebezeit, Hüsnü Şenlendirici, Ralph Carney, Semiha Berksoy, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Özkan Uğur and Mehmet Güreli.

The group performs at festivals and events including Roskilde Festival, Sofia Film Festival, Klinkende Munt Festival, Arezzo Wave Festival, Images of Middle East, Cologne Triennale, Printemps de Bourges, Şimdi/Now Festival, Boost Festival and the Venice Biennial.