Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Erkin Koray remains the most influential figure in Turkish rock music history. Possessed of a crystalline baritone singing voice, he was a unique and accomplished guitarist, and invented the electric baglama (saz), a long-necked, lute-like instrument whose unusual sound graced most of his recordings. Koray's compositions melded Turkish folk melodies, rhythms, and harmonies with ethnic and Middle Eastern themes and a psych-driven, progressive brand of pop music called Anatolian rock. A classic of the genre, his 1974 album Elektronik Türküler explored microtonal psychedelia. He highlighted progressive rock, primitive electronica, and Turkish folk on 1977's Tutkusu. 1989's Hay-Yam-Yam won popular and critical attention for its anthemic, danceable pop songs. 1999's Devlerin Nefisi was composed primarily of re-envisioned readings of obscure tracks with contemporary arrangements. After 2000, Koray toured internationally, immigrated to Canada, wrote his memoirs, and supervised compilations on labels including Sublime Frequencies and Pharaway Sounds.