32. Ben Deniz - Al Hafiz (The Preserver), Turkey
This week I have purely indulged in a Turkish album that I picked up randomly when I first went to Turkey in 1995. It was part of a college trip and we went to Bodrum. It definitely felt like I brought a bit of Turkey back with me. What was amazing to learn was that all my family loved the music too. Even my dad who was a hard core Punjabi (he didn't speak or listen to any other language). Years later it was my sister who gave me a copy of the music as I lost my cassette (gosh this makes me sound ancient). Anyway Ive found the album on youtube but no english translations. You can check out the sounds below - This is one of my favourite albums. I dont know what she is singing about but it just takes me to a different place overtime. Check out the following times on the album to hear some of my favourites 2.44, 9.50, 24.00, 29.00 although I think just play it in the background to whatever you are doing is an idea.
Wiki says Bendeniz (born Deniz Çelik; 25 July 1973 in Zurich, Switzerland) is a Swiss-Turkish pop musician who is well known in Turkey. Her first album Bendeniz in 1993, was a great success thanks to a song called "Ya Sen Ya Hiç". She won the "gold record" award in a competition sponsored by a French TV in 1995. Her music mix world pop sound with traditional Turkish sounds
I did find some of her songs with english translation below. Click links to see video and translations. They seems to be songs about romantic love and relationships like our modern pop songs. Although I feel I may have grown out of pop songs these feel quite different. Maybe its good I dont know what they mean.
I decided to look up the 38th Name Al Hafiz (The Preserver) as it felt like something from my trip to Turkey has been preserved through this music I am listening to. I still feel I am riding on the dalmouch - a turkish bus through scenic landscape. So looking it up according to my source the 38th name Al Hafiz means that everything in the heavens and earth , down to the smallest particle, is within the protection of Allah. For human beings, it involves becoming mindful, considerate, respectful and cherishing deeply in your heart. Al Hafiz is protecting and remembering everyone. To realise Al Hafiz is to be conscious of the greatest of secrets, to know the secret and to keep it. The order, sequence and timing of the universe are preserved through this quality.
Wow so even a nostalgic trip down memory lane can have a significant meaning if I give myself time to reflect on it.
Can wait to hear what this triggers in you? All holiday songs welcome here! x