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.

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This is Bone Union Records, vol. 1

Founded by Sarp Keskiner and Deniz Cuylan in 2005, GREAT REPUBLIC of SOUTH was born as a side studio project of respected producers, and a collective effort on creating remixes of various soundtracks composed by Keskiner, for a radio drama project displaying the chronological backlog of Turkish short stories. Recorded live at Babylon, Istanbul in 2014; this track properly displays the collective power of the quartet that decided to take a permanent nap in 2016.

Republic Radio

Republic Radio (live)- Great Republic of South (Bone Union Records)

BUR 1106
Founded as a local cover band by Suat Vergili and Sarp Keskiner in 2016 under the synonym “Almost Rock’n Roll”, THE UNDERDOGZ (Izmir) recorded this obscure modal nugget of Nick Drake for a compilation album, curated by In the Void collective (based in Istanbul). Enjoy a rarity from the band that had disbanded in 2018, featuring the one and only female rock drummer based in Izmir.

Black Eyed Dog

Black Eyed Dog - The Underdogz (Bone Union Records)

Founded by luthier - finger picking master Çağlayan Örge (banjo-guitar), Suna Suner (vocal, tambourine) and Sarp Keskiner (vocal, electric lead and slide guitar, kazoo, harmonica, tambourine, snare & a cymbal) in 1996; MAMA & FRIENDS is known as “the ever first combo in Turkey, based on pre-war blues styles, gospels and spirituals.” This album presents an unreleased bundle of materials taken from the live sessions of the trio, recorded directly to a cassette recorder by in house sound engineer Kubilay Gürol, between June and August 1997

Mama's Bag

Glory Hallelujah #1 - Mama & Friends

Come On In My Kitchen - Mama & Friends

C.C. Rider - Mama & Friends

Founded by Sarp Keskiner (vocal, guitar) and Bora Çeliker (vocal, guitar) in 2000, in order to present their versatile attempt to blend New Orleans grooves with 50’s and 60’s Latin American music and post-war Chicago blues; The Shrimps was one of a kind for sure in the Turkish blues community, by including the best musicians of the “cover” era. Thus, defined as a super-group by the audience as soon as it was massively promoted, the band had the ability to swiftly pitch around many genres. They were based in Ankara, which was the capital of Turkish blues scene, standing as an anti-thesis against to SRV wannabes but treating the scene with a punk-ish attitude. The band did not last after their debut performance but left this performance behind, which was recorded live in January 2000. “So Worried” is an original track suggesting us as if Wolf recorded it with Omar Khorshid in Cairo.

So Worried

So Worried - The Shrimps

Episode One

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Easy Life - Mechanical Rooster

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.

Hard Times

Driftin Blues - Şenel Karatepe

Walkin Blues - Şenel Karatepe

Located in Izmir, Turkey; since 2016, The Old Ramblers cover pre-war rural blues classics, and post-war urban blues standarts besides gospels, spirituals, work songs, edgy ragtime and bluegrass tunes with a bravado.

Find Me On The Road Somewhere

Viola Lee - The Old Ramblers

Shame Shame Shame - The Old Ramblers

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - The Old Ramblers

BUR 1103
Coming from overtly eclectic backgrounds by means of musical tastes and practices, “Nobody Has No Time (to Listen to Music Completely)” is a singular collaboration effort of two veterans of Smyrnian music scene.

This is Bone Union Records, vol. 1

Black and Tan Records