Backup No More: Göksel and "Ayrilik Günü"

Our random tune today, Ayrilik Günü, is performed by Turkish singer Göksel. Born in Istanbul as Göksel Demirpençe, Göksel initially studied philosophy, but quit university to pursue a career in music. She was a backup singer to Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, both very famous female Turkish artists. She released her first solo album in 1997, and has since had nine album releases (one of which was a best-hits album allegedly released by her record company without her permission or participation). She has challenged some other barriers in that area of the world by performing with Greek group Omega Vibes at a concert in Babylon (Turkey and Greece have been historic enemies). You can find Ayrilik Günü on Göksel's 2003 release Söz Ver and on Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove (2006).

Bend the Knee: Bendeniz and "Kirmizi Biber"

Okay, my title is a bad pun. That's what happens when I've had a long day at work with a lot of little niggling things going wrong.

Thankfully, what didn't go wrong is our random tune of the day. Today's tune comes to you from Turkey via Switzerland. Bendeniz is the performing name of Deniz Çelik, a Turkish pop star born in Zurich. She is very popular in Turkey, and has released twelve albums. She also won a contest on French TV in 1995. This song, Kirmizi Biber (Red Pepper), can be found on her 2005 album Aşk Yok mu Aşk and on the Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove CD (2006).