Tarkan - Tarkan

Tarkan has enjoyed a Ricky Martin-style popularity in Turkey since the release of his second album, Aacayipsin, in 1994--it sold 2 million copies in Turkey and Europe and foreshadowed a string of outrageously successful albums. His 1997 release, Ölürüm Sana ("I Would Die for You"), sold 2 million copies in Turkey alone, 1.5 million being preorders. So it's no surprise that this 28-year-old star with hunky good looks opens his latest CD with the sound of a smoochy kiss on "Simarik" ("Spoilt"), one of Tarkan's most recognizable singles in Turkey. It's a killer tune, too, soaked with the heavy beats needed to keep bodies moving on the dance floor while the landsliding violins of rai build emotional tension. There are several magnetic dance tunes here, mostly collected from his earlier albums, with "Bu Gece" ("Break Free") and "Sikidim" ("Dirty Dancing") among the strongest and most popular. What's intriguing is that Tarkan is not just another pretty face; he was classically trained in Istanbul and penned most of the album's songs. Add the notion of challenging traditional Islamic values with such lyrics as "Don't dance so sexy / Oh, the way you move, you drive me crazy" or "Come on, let's make love / Close your eyes," and you've got the sort of national sensation that parents might hate but the kids will love. --Karen K. Hugg Amazon.com

brilliant

This CD is an infectious, rhythmic, sometimes soaring collection of songs melding more traditional Turkish music and contemporary sensibilities. With only one exception, the songs absolutely draw you in and make a fan of you. My first experience with Tarkan. I hope his other albums can live up to this first impression. September 10, 2008

Total plagarism !!!

I was totally turned off by the preview of the first song "Simarik" which is an absolute ripp-off of Australian Holly Valance's first smash hit "Kiss Kiss". All that's changed is the language and the addition of some Middle-Eastern instruments. Beat pattern, speed, melody, style are all essentially still the same. And... Not a credit or mention anywhere!

Makes me seriously wonder about a few of these other pieces that sound familiar... July 19, 2008

Versatile!!

I know that this CD was released almost a decade ago but I am still not tired of listening to the "Turkish Prince," as many people tend to call him. Tarkan has been singing for over 17 years which is rare for his category of music. He is also formally trained and you can hear it on this album. He has versatility and style. I was impressed with his attempt to fuse traditional Turkish elements with a modern appeal. There are also two plainly traditional Turkish songs on this CD. If you want them you must buy this CD from the AMAZON vender in France or Germany because the U.S. Amazon does not offer all of the songs that originally came out on this album. This is mainly due to the fact that there are more Turkish people in Europe than in the U.S.A. I would love to hear Tarkan sing these songs in Arabic! May 12, 2008

Tarkan

Tarkan has taken his traditional music and has mixed it with a new sound. If you like Turkish music and dance music you will love the combination that this cd has to offer. Tarkan has a beautiful voice. December 7, 2007

Tarkan

There are three songs that I like out of the whole CD. I don't understand Turkish, so the melody sounds a bit more like Indian. The CD was worth what I paid for: $6 plus $5 S&H. July 16, 2007

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