Mikail`s Berlin Sessions feat. Pina Berlin - Sevme Zamanı / Kustino Oro by Goran Bregović

Here is the third session of my new video series, "Mikail's Berlin Sessions," and I’m thrilled to be joined by Pina Berlin. Pina Berlin is the solo project of singer-songwriter Pinar Tatlikazan, a soul set free in the magical musical air of Berlin, after years of singing and playing in different bands across the city. You can check out her artistic website for more info: https://www.pinaberlinmusic.com/

Pina and I attended the same German High School in Istanbul, but we first met when we both moved to Berlin for our studies 13 years ago. Even though we’ve performed together a few times before, this is our first recording as a duo. True to the format of these sessions, we came together on the recording day, rehearsed the piece a couple of times, and then just hit the record button. It was a lot of fun, and we even got standing ovations from the neighbors!

Our piece this time is "Sevme Zamanı" (Time to Love) but there are two other versions of it. I originally know it as "Kustino Oro" by Goran Bregovic from the soundtrack of the cult movie Time of the Gypsies. There’s also a Greek version called "Venzinadiko" (Βενζινάδικο). Here, Pina sings the Turkish version, popularized by Oya & Bora, a Turkish pop duo from the '90s. Feel free to pick your favorite from the originals, or maybe you’ll prefer the fourth version—ours!

In "Mikail's Berlin Sessions," I invite many prominent musicians living in Berlin to record duo performances. These videos, filmed in various indoor and outdoor locations across Berlin, aim to showcase the city’s musical diversity and aesthetic richness.

What makes this series unique is that, although the piece is pre-selected, the performances are mostly unrehearsed, taking the form of jam sessions. We focus on capturing the spontaneity and authenticity of the moment rather than aiming for a polished, professional recording. At the heart of this series is the interaction between musicians, the emotions that emerge, the sounds, and the power of improvisation.

Huge thanks to everyone supporting this challenging project with so much love. Special shoutout to Gülsah, Milan, and Ari for opening their garden and lovely home to us. This was the last session at their beautiful garden in Neukölln. Stay tuned for our next indoor sessions!

Lastly, my dearest friends Cevat Maskar, Deniz Mahir Kartal, and Batuhan Kavlak worked their magic to make everything you see and hear in this video possible. Thank you a thousand times for your incredible efforts and great work!

Performed by
Mikail Yakut - Accordion
Pina Berlin - Vocals & Saxophone   / pinaberlin_music  

Mix - Deniz Mahir Kartal
Video - Cevat Maskar
Post Production - Cevat Maskar and Batuhan Kavlak

Berlin - Neukölln, 2024

INSTAGRAM   / mikordeon  
FACEBOOK   / mikordeon  
YOUTUBE    / @mikailyakutofficial  

LYRICS

Al aşkım beni yanına dalmışım sarhoşluğuna
Bir ömrü senle aşalım al uçur beni sonsuza
Kaybetmek varsa ne çıkar
Aşkta yer yok hiç korkuya
Öyle günler var ki baştan sonu gelmiş
Böyle istenmiş sen yaşamalısın
Ayrılık beter ölümden tanrı yazmasın
Aşkımı benden kimse ayırmasın
Biz dünyayı çok sevdik ölüm bizden uzak olsun
Aşık olduk yüreklendik kader bizden yana dursun
Hasretliği çektirme Tanrım gözümüz yollarda kalmasın
Ne istersen al götür ama sevda bize aşk bize kalsın
Al canım beni yanına sevgiye çoktan acıktım
Sen miydin kaderden yana işte ben de sana düştüm
Kaybetmek varsa ne çıkar aşkta yer yok hiç korkuya