Ebru Berker
My dear friend Ebru just emailed to say that her debut album is going to be released in two weeks' time in Turkey. The album is titled "Sıradan bir şarki ve sıradan bir şarkıcı", which translates to "An ordinary song and an ordinary singer." Of course, if you knew Ebru, you'd know that there's nothing ordinary about her but the title comes as no surprise: Ebru is one of the most modest people I know; a tiny nuclear reactor of talent somehow contained in a mischievous impish shell. And she sings like an angel!
Ebru does have a partner-in-crime in this endeavor; her Clyde in all things Bonnie, my very good friend, Yuri Ryadchenko. Yuri's is the musical wizard credited with writing much of the music for the album (with Ebru doing the lyrics; although there are some where she's written the music too) and for the arrangement. (And goodness knows what else, in that lovely studio of his that I remember all too well and which has probably grown even larger since I was last there.)
The album covers an eclectic range of musical styles, from Jazz to Pop to Latin, with strong Turkish influences. The latter is not surprising at all, given that Ebru grew up in a playground of musical influence. Not least of all as a result of her father, the famous Turkish composer, ErdoÄŸan Berker, and her sister, the amazing Jazz singer, Ece Berker. (I can still remember Ece giving us precious advice -- Vocalzone still saves my butt, by the way, Ece -- during rehearsals for Almost Broadway, the musical medley we staged way back in high-school.)
I'm also really impressed with the web site for the album. It's an elegant Flash site that is both minimalist and classy. You can listen to previews of some of the tracks there and doing so brought back some lovely memories for me. (And, I have to say, I was expecting Audrey 2 to jump out at any moment from the way the leaves move! Then again, with our shared past in musicals, I wouldn't be surprised if it is an intentional homage.)
And, guess what? I actually wrote the lyrics to one of the songs one night when we were playing around in Yuri's studio. Wow, actually it was quite a few moons ago now (oh my goodness, how old was I? 19? 20?). It's a light Latin party tune titled Cha Cha (you can hear a snippet on the site) and features a trombone solo by Fatih Erkoç. Who'd have thought? Lyrics credits in a Turkish album? I'll check that one off my list then! 
Ebru, Yuri, I'm so very happy for the both of you! Best of luck with the album.
Check out the web site for Sıradan bir şarki ve sıradan bir şarkıcı.
The Ebru Berker article by Aral Balkan, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 UK: England License.
ozgur uksal
impressive!
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:22 pmsavvas malamas
Wow Aral..You are very talented!
How is leggoart project going?
January 4th, 2007 at 5:04 pmWhat’s next?
I hope that you stay in the FL business..(i’m kidding..or NOT?)
ebru berker
YES my friend, Aral is one of the xtremely talented people who ’s good at almost everything!! I have fortunately witnessed his acting, imitating, singing, directing, story tellling, play & lyric writing, composing, film shooting, drawing, photographing, designing (and many more that I most probably left out) skills! I wish I could take a peek at what he’s into and good at, at the moment..Hmm..perhaps I shall organize a flash workshop in Turkey and have him invited here. (and then perhaps I can steal him back into the music world
January 5th, 2007 at 3:15 pmMichelle Yaiser
Wonderful album - where can I get it in the States? No luck on Amazon, iTunes, maqam.com, aramusic, or musicarab.
So Aral, when are you going to combine Flash, musical theater, and the Wii? Hmm, that is something I’d love to see - and help build!
ps - the lyrics are really nice
January 12th, 2007 at 3:14 amebru berker
Michelle, I’m very pleased that you liked the album. It’s gonna be released on the 29th of this month and then you’ll be able to get it from http://www.tulumba.com Thank you again, take care. Ebru
January 17th, 2007 at 10:53 pmNaz
Böyle bir sesin şimdiye kadar kaset çıkarmamasına üzüldüm..e-posta göndercektim hata oLuştu..herneyse sesin ,sarkılar hersey wonderfull :)Cok tatlı bir ekipsiniz
February 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pmistemi
Mükemmel bir albüm,kanatlandırıp uçuran ve hiç yere inmemeyi hissettiren harika bir şarkı Düş..tebrikler Ebru ve Juri tebrikler..birbirinize sıkı sıkıya sarılın , mutlu olun iyi işler yapın ve bizleri mutlu edin lütfen.
March 20th, 2007 at 1:42 pmlevent çınar
sevgili ebru kaset çalışmanı duyunca çok sevindim ve mutlu oldum.umarım ki çok başarılı olursun ve tüm türkiye seni daha yakından tanıma fırsatı bulur.hoşça dostçavede sevgi ile kal.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:12 pm