ÇATI 1972 improvisation

Turkey's probably the oldest Free Improvisation group "CATI1972 improvisation" takes its name from the roof (çatı in Turkish) where the band gets together. Their addiction to unusual, left field music making began in 1971 with a bottle, a cauldron, a bucket, a kaval and two mandolins.But the addition of three guitars and a bongo gave the group a more mainstream sound. The band members were Gürkan Baltacılar, Ufuk Ömürgönülşen, Tuncay Turgul, Aşkın Gençerler. Between 1972 and 1976 all the music they composed was recorded.But the allure of making spontaneous improvised music beyond any style or the restrictions of composition was more appealing to the group. They later learnt the music they were making was known commonly as 'Free Improvisation'. In order to be able to make their own music, the group decided not to become involved in the commercial world of bar and wedding music bands and invited other friends to come and make and record music with them whist staying firmly 'underground'.