Zaman may refer to:

• Zaman A large ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and sweet-pulp seed pods eaten by cattle (Albizia saman).

• Zaman (album) is the second album of Lebanese singer, Amal Hijazi.
• Zaman Group, an Internet Service Provider in Hamedan, Iran.
• Zaman International School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Zaman (newspaper), a large Turkish newspaper with international editions
• Shah Zaman, brother of King Shahryar, in the 1001 Nights
• The Zaman people, one of the Beti-Pahuin ethnic groups of Cameroon

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2011)

This article uses citations that link to broken or outdated sources. Please improve the article or discuss this issue on the talk page. Help on using footnotes is available. Consider using the Checklinks tool to find, resolve and repair links. (November 2011)

Amal Hijazi أمل حجازى
Origin	Beirut, Lebanon
Genres	Arabic pop music, Music of Lebanon, Pop folk
Occupations	Singer
Years active	2000 – present
Labels	Dilara Master(2000—2001), Music is My Life(2002—2003), Stallions Records (2004) Rotana (2004—present)
Associated acts	Faudel, Rayan, Nader Nour, Omar and Rafi
Website	Official Amal Hijazi FanClub Hijazi's signature

Amal Hijazi (Arabic: أمل حجازى‎) is a Lebanese singer, model and pop icon. She is currently one of the most active Lebanese singers and has given a number of concerts throughout the world and has made countless TV appearances. After her lengthy career as a fashion model, Hijazi released her debut album, Akher Gharam in 2001 to commercial success. It became one of the biggest selling albums of the year, ranking on number eight Official Sales charts published by the Chart Magazine. She released her second album Zaman in mid 2002 with even greater success. The album released four number one hit singles, Zaman, Oulhali, Einak and Romansyia catapulting her to phenomenal success. A third album Bedawwar A Albi was released in early 2004 followed by the release of her fourth album Baya al Ward in 2006. The album's breakthrough of the same name caused the entertainer to face negative critical publicity and a number of controversies.

Hijazi continued to remain in the forefront of pop music with the release of her much awaited Gulf single Nefsy Tefhamny in 2007. She released her fifth studio album Keef el Amar in 2008, thus bringing her back on the spotlight once again.

Hijazi's personal life began to gain more media attention after her break-up from her former business manager Sharbel Domat. She currently lives with her husband in Beirut and has adopted a girl named Nour (before her marriage) and has a son with her husband she named Karim (b.2009). In addition, Hijazi well known for her support in charity projects has promoted humanitarian causes throughout the world.

Personal life[link]

Hijazi was born in her native Lebanon to Mahmoud and Nadia Hijazi, and raised in France, where her family had fled due to the political instabilities. Hijazi has five brothers, Ibrahim, Youssef, Ahmad, Mohamoud and the late Mustafa. Her father died when she was only ten years old and she was left in the care of her mother. Her family realized her talent for singing and her interest in music and duly supported her. Hijazi had in fact started her career as a model before she became a singer.

In 2008, Hijazi married the Lebanese business tycoon, Mohamed Al Bassam. Their son, Karim was born on 20 March 2009.

Hijazi holds a diploma in architecture engineering.^{[1][not in citation given]}

Music career[link]

2000–2003: Rise to fame[link]

Her first single Halan ("Right Away") was released in 2000 and acted as a catalyst for Hijazi to establish herself as a major female artist in Lebanon. The single was well received in Lebanon and gained generally positive reviews in countries like Egypt and Jordan. In addition, it received moderate radio airplay in the rest of the Middle East. Surprised by the success of "Halan", Hijazi's managers asked her to record another. Hijazi's second single Rayyah Balak ("Put Your Mind at Ease") was released an year later, for which she also shot a music video. Rayyah Balak was a surprising success. The single was charted strongly around the Middle East and the music video gained extremely positive reviews from both critics and fans.

On the same year her debut album Akher Gharam was released followed the lead single of the same name. The album was produced by Dilara Master Production and distributed by Music Master. Hijazi made history in 2001, when her album became the highest selling debut album ever released by a female artist. It was ranked as the eighth highest selling Arabic album of 2001 by Chart Magazine. Akher Gharam released three hit singles, Akher Gharam, Habibi Oud and Ghanniet which helped her to stay at the number one spot for more than six months. In addition, Hijazi broke the record of having all her four singles debut at number one in countries like Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Morocco and Tunisia. Akher Gharam was also a considerable success outside the Middle East especially in Malaysia, which led her to perform a the Malaysian Popular Star Award in October 2002. Riding a wave of publicity and hype, Hijazi released her second studio album, Zaman (Long Ago). Preceded by the single of the same name, the album proved to be an instant bestseller. It debuted at number one in a number of countries like Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Morocco and UAE. Concerning both musical content and lyrics, the album was very similar to Hijazi's debut, although it fared better with critics. According to Hijazi's production company Dilara Master Production, the album has in fact surpassed expectations in the number of breaking figures in the music market all over the world, despite of the heavy competition Hijazi had had with a number of other Arabic female singers like Elissa.

The title track, Zaman went on top become one of the biggest hits ever in the Middle East and to date is still considered to be Hijazi's signature song. Another single Romansyia was also a big hit for Hijazi, continuing the streak of hit singles off of her second album. The music video for Romancia was one of the most popular of 2003 under the direction of Mirna Khayat. By the end of the year it was announced that Zaman was one of the highest selling albums ever released by a female artist.^[2] It was also in fact the album's huge success that made Hijazi sign her multi-million dollar promotional deal with Panasonic.

Due to the album's noted achievement, Hijazi was personally invited by the Jordan River Foundation to hold a special concert under the patronage of Queen Rania Al-Abdullah.^[3]

2004–2005: Career development[link]

After the huge success of Zaman, Hijazi was approached by the Middle East's largest recording label, Rotana, headed by Saudi Prince Al Walid Bin Talal. Rotana succeeded in luring Hijazi to sign a five album contract and within a matter of minutes Hijazi was now declared as a Rotana artist. In addition, she hired a business manager Sharbel Domat and signed a full sponsorship contract with Pepsi and Future Television. Work on a new album began immediately. Expert poets, writers and composers were enlisted to work on Hijazi's upcoming album, Bedawwar A Albi which was to be released in 2004 and distributed by Stallions Records. The eleven song album failed to top charts and received a lukewarm response from critics, receiving only a fraction of the success that the previous album Zaman had received. There was also in fact a huge drop of sales due to the poor advertising and promotion provided by Rotana. Despite of all this, Hijazi continued to promote the album and appeared on various talk shows, giving a number of concerts all around the Middle East.

The same year, Hijazi released the album's first single Bedawwar A Albi. Under the direction of Mirna Khayat, the video was one of the most expensive of 2004, having a total budget exceeding $60,000. The song debuted at number one in a number of countries, increasing the sales of the album. The album's second single Mistanie Eiy (song) was also charted strongly around the Middle East, becoming one of the greatest hits of 2004. The video was once again directed by Mirna Khayat. There was also a popular demand from fans for video clips of songs like Omri w Sneeene, Alaa Keifak, and Ah Ya Habibi, but these were never filmed due to Rotana's objections.

The release of Bedawwar A Albi saw Hijazi mark a major world tour including a successful live performance on the second day of Eid El Fitr alongside the celebrated Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker at the Sheraton Hotel in Beirut. The same year, Hijazi, alongside the singer Wael Kfoury, had one of the most successful performances during the Carthage Festival in Tunisia.

In 2005, after a long absence from the scenes, Hijazi planned on releasing a new single, Ba'ad Sneen (song) ("After Years"). The song was composed by Jan Saliba, written by Samer Nakhla under the arrangement of Jean Marie Riachi. Ba'ad Sneen (song) was expected to be a huge success but the video did not live up to the expectations of both fans and critics. Upon its initial release, the song received lukewarm response although it did manage to debut at the number one spot in many countries.

[edit] 2006–2008: Baya al Ward and Keef el Amar

After an absence that lasted for more than two years, Hijazi released her fourth, much awaited studio album, Baya al Ward in 2006. The album generated extremely negative reviews due to its bold lyrical content and unusual artwork. Hijazi had returned with an extremely sophisticated look that generally attracted negative publicity and controversies where she appeared with short, pixie blond hair and clothes that "promoted homosexuality and lesbianism according to critics. Despite of the attacks, Hijazi continued to promote her album throughout the world and later released the music video of the same name.

The music video of Baya al Ward heavily criticized and caused huge controversies that Hijazi was promoting homosexuality. Hijazi denied the allegations, however critics argued that the T-shirt she was wearing in the music video had several symbols imprinted on it which belonged to a garment manufacturer, specialising in clothing for homosexuals. At a press conference she held in Dubai to announce the launch of her album, Hijazi clarified that she did not know what the symbols on the shirt meant or that she never thought to find out when she chose to wear it. Critics argued that Hijazi had gone to extremes and cut her hair shorter than that of an ordinary woman. The video was accused of being unorthodox because Hijazi cuts her hair off and drowns herself at the end out of depression over the man who left her. Despite the heavy controversy behind the video, the album Baya al Ward managed to sell in huge numbers all around the Middle East and beyond and generated two hit singles.

In 2007, Hijazi released a new single, Nefsy Tefhamny which was a traditional and modern Khaleeji song that brought a new style to the singer. Hijazi said that it released mainly due to the popular demand of her Khaleeji fans. Released in May, the song debuted at number one in a number of countries all around the Middle East. It was charted strongly in Persian Gulf countries like UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain and thus becoming probably the biggest Gulf hit of the year and a major dance song of 2007. In 2008, Hijazi's released her fifth album Keef el Amar, which includes the single Nefsy Tefhamny.

Ahla Mafe el Ayyam was the first single from Keek el Amar. The music video shows Hijazi as a lonesome woman who has fallen out of love from her husband. She recalls her wedding scenes. The video was shot in a mystical, dreamy fashion by Randa Aalam and debuted #1 on the Rotana Top 10.

The album's second single "Albi Nadak" was released in 2009, a year later. Hijazi has stated that she has dedicated the song to motherhood and appears in the clip as a pregnant woman, the video was directed by Salem al Turk.^[4] The video reached #4 on the Rotana Top 10.

[edit] 2008–2010: Motherhood and Waylak Min Allah

Amal Hijazi has been busy with her baby boy Karim, after his birth in March 2009. Also, she came out with the new album Waylak Min Allah, with a single from it released with the same title. The single has reached #1 in Lebanon^[5] and the story line of the video related to her husband betraying her, her love and also the country. The words mainly deal with his betrayal of her love and the time they spent together in the past, and reminiscence about time lost.

Contracts and endorsements[link]

In early 2003, due to the success of her album Zaman Hijazi accepted a multi-million dollar promotional deal with Panasonic that included television commercials, point-of-purchase promotions, and Internet ties between Hijazi and the company. The contract generated much public attention and tabloid headlines because Hijazi was the first and sole representer and Arab ambasaddor of the company. The same year Hijazi took part in the launching of the international rally Formula one in Japan. Hijazi's presence at the rally was solely as a representative for the Middle East and as an international ambasaddor of Panasonic.

In 2004, Hijazi signed a contract with Stallions Records for the production of her album Bedawwar A Albi under the label Rotana. To ensure success Hijazi also signed a full-sponsorship deal with Pepsi and Future Television. In addition, Hijazi was also under the sponsorship of LG in 2006, for the promotion of her album Baya al Ward.

In 2007, Hijazi was approached by the Middle Eastern optical company Fashion Look and agreed to sign a $200,000 contract with them. Since them, the singer has appeared in a number of endorsement posters with the company. Fashion Look also sponsored Hijazi for the production of her single Nefsy Tefhamny.

Hijazi is also the first Arab brand ambassador of Dior and finished shooting her photo advertisements sometime in late April 2009. The photos were taken by famous Lebanese photographer Jean Claude Bejani who has previously worked with Hijazi before on her magazine and album covers

Controversies[link]

Relationships with other singers[link]

Elissa[link]

Other than the heavy controversies behind her latest album, Hijazi has also been accused of imitating the popular Lebanese singer Elissa, especially in the video of Hijazi's hit song, "Bedawwar A Albi" ("Searching for my heart"). Hijazi however denied the accusations stressing that each of the singers has her own unique style. Hijazi added that her song was filmed long before Elissa's "Hubbak Waja" and had been airing on different satellite channels sometime in 2004.^[6]

Both Amal Hijazi and Elissa are known to be as rivals and make it a point to avoid each other.

In a candid interview with the weekly Arabic magazine Sayidaty Hijazi revealed her true feeling toward other female singers, along with other personal secrets. She stated that she is on good terms with most female singers and many of them are her friends, except Elissa. She and Elissa are not on speaking terms and she does not believe this matter will change any time soon, but despite this fact Hijazi wishes her the best.

Unlike the rumors, Hijazi stressed that she is not enemies with Elissa, stating, “We are merely two people who do not mix with one another, and if we by chance meet we just say ‘hello.’” Hijazi also stated that she does not compete with any specific singer, but rather is inspired by the success of others and strives to always do her best.^[7]

Hijazi added that she does not flaunt her body as her colleagues do, even though she may appear in some clips wearing a sexy outfit. In 2004, however, Hijazi put everything aside and made a personal visit Elissa to give her condolences after the latter lost her father to cancer. Elissa welcomed Amal with open arms and expressed her gratitude towards Amal’s attempt to stand by her side at such a troublesome time.^[8]

In 2008, there were rumors that Elissa had attempted to steal television commercials that Hijazi had been working on. Hijazi has however said that she has no clue weather Elissa has done it and later added that even if Elissa really did so, she bares no hard feelings towards her especially that an ad is something trivial to even consider.

Nancy Ajram[link]

There were rumors of Hijazi criticising Nancy Ajram of singing on stage while pregnant. Hijazi has however denied the allegations stating, "All what I said is that I don’t find it fit for a pregnant singer to perform on stage. I didn’t hit on Nancy at all."^[9]

Nawal Al Zoghbi[link]

Recently, Hijazi has accused Nawal Al Zoghbi for stealing her contract of the Kuwaiti optical company Fashion Look. Hijazi added that al Zoghbi stole the commercial and took it for herself, by asking one of her business managers to call the contact company owner and asked him to have Nawal make the advertisement for less money instead of Hijazi. Hijazi stated that she had seen the contract that al Zoghbi signed with the company and found out that al Zoghbi was paid less than the offer they had given her.^[10]

Banning in Kuwait[link]

In April, Hijazi expressed her shock at being banned from entering Kuwait despite her continuous efforts to travel there. The singer had submitted numerous requests to obtain a visa for both holding concerts for her Kuwaiti fans and for leisure, but all attempts were rejected.

The singer stated that she was told that Kuwaiti officials had ordered for her ban without giving her any justifications. Hijazi noted that she will not let the matter be until she is able to find out the real reasons behind her ban.^[11]

Philanthropy[link]

In May, Hijazi was specially invited as a guest at a special event that was organized by the Healthy Diet Association to support cancer patients and spread awareness about uterine cancer. According to the London based Elaph, at the event, which was a private luncheon composed of over 500 ladies, Hijazi sang a collection of her most popular hits and expressed her ongoing support to help cancer patients.^[12]

Image and fashion[link]

Hijazi started her career as a fashion model and had previously worked with a number of distinguished bodies in the fashion industry. It was her high profile model status that rose her towards her career as an artist.

In 2002, after the release of her album Zaman rumors arose that Hijazi was involved in a number of cosmetic surgeries due to her new look. Hijazi however denied the statements saying that she only had one plastic surgery and that was rhinoplasty. She added, "I refuse to insert silicon or any other thing into my body, and greatly fear the negative side effects too many plastic surgeries may have."^[6]

In 2005, Hijazi was especially chosen by the well-known Lebanese designer Joe Raed as the model for his new line of wedding dresses to be released this summer season. Ra'ed revealed that he chose Amal for her good natured qualities and her beauty.^[13] Hijazi return as a super model generated much public interest. Raed went on to say "Amal appeared as if she came out of a fairytale when she wore the wedding dresses I designed."

Hijazi was named 8th Arab Sexiest Woman Alive in 2008, ahead of artists like Elissa, Nancy Ajram and Najwa Karam.^[14] In addition, Hijazi managed to receive twice as many votes as the Egyptian singer Sherine.^[14]

Discography[link]

• Akher Gharam (2000), Dilara Master Production
• Zaman (2002), Dilara Master Production
• Bedawwar A Albi (2004), Rotana Records
• Baya al Ward (2006), Rotana Records
• Keef el Amar (2008), Rotana Records
• Waylak Min Allah (2010), Rotana Records

Releases[link]

• 2000: Halan
• 2002: Zaman (song)
• 2002: Weyli Wah Ft. Omar and Rafi
• 2004: Mistanie Eiy (song)
• 2005: Bedawwar a Albi (song)
• 2005: Jnoon Bihobak with Rayan (singer)
• 2005: Ba'ad Sneen (song)
• 2006: Baya al Ward (song)
• 2007: Baheb Nuoa Kalamak (song)
• 2007: Nefsy Tefhamny
• 2008: Khalina Ne'oul Ft. Iwan (singer)
• 2008: Ahla Ma Fel Eyyam
• 2009: Deq El Mayy
• 2009: Alby Nadaak
• 2009: Keef El Amar
• 2010: Waylak min Allah

References[link]

External links[link]

• Rotana Group website
• Listen to Amal Hijazi
• Amal Hijazi Photos
• Amal Hijazi's Brief Biography
• Amal Hijazi Songs & Pictures on LebNights.net

Sezen Aksu
Sezen Aksu concert Maltepe University, 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Fatma Sezen Yıldırım
Also known as	Sezen Aksu
Born	(1954-07-13) July 13, 1954 (age 57)
Genres	Pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1975–present
Website	Official Website

Sezen Aksu (Turkish pronunciation: [seˈzen ˈaksu]; born: Fatma Sezen Yıldırım; July 13, 1954 in Denizli) is a Turkish pop music singer, song-writer and producer who sold over 40 million albums worldwide.^[1] Her nicknames include the "Queen of Turkish Pop"^[2] and Minik Serçe ("Little Sparrow").

Aksu's influence on Turkish pop and world music has continued since her debut in 1975, and has been reinforced by her patronage of and collaboration with many other musicians, including Sertab Erener, Şebnem Ferah, Aşkın Nur Yengi, Hande Yener, and Levent Yüksel.^[3] Her work with Tarkan resulted in continental hits like "Şımarık" and "Şıkıdım" and her collaboration with Goran Bregović widened her international audience.

Biography[link]

Sezen Aksu was born in Sarayköy, Turkey. Her family moved to İzmir when she was 3 years old and she spent her childhood and early youth there. Aksu's parents discouraged her singing because they wanted her to have a steady profession as a doctor or engineer. She used to wait until they left the house and sing on the family's balcony.^[4] After finishing high school, she began studying at the local agricultural institute, but left college to concentrate on music.

Along with her close friend Ajda Pekkan, Aksu is credited with laying the foundations of Turkish pop music in the 1970s.^[5] Her sound has also spread across the Balkans and Greece.^[6] It was this sound that changed the face of the Eurovision song contest when her protégé Sertab Erener won in 2003. Aksu has also toured in Europe and the U.S to critical appraise.^[7]

She has championed a variety of causes, including women's rights, the environment, and educational reform in Turkey.^[2] Aksu has been married and divorced four times, but kept the name from her second marriage to Ali Engin Aksu, a doctor of geology who currently resides in Canada. She has a son with Sinan Özer.

Career[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2011)

Sezen Aksu released her first single, Haydi Şansım/Gel Bana (Come on My Luck/Come to Me) in 1975 under the name of Sezen Seley. However, she remained undiscovered until her 1976 single Olmaz Olsun/Vurdumduymaz (Wish It Never Happened/Insensitive) reached number one in the Turkish charts. Her first album was 1978's Serçe (Sparrow), which was to give her the nickname, penned by a Turkish journalist.

An Aksu drive finally got Turkey to apply for the Eurovision Song contest in the mid-70s. Ironically however, even though she competed in the national finals for the competition three times - "Küçük Bir Aşk Masalı" (A Little Love Tale) was a duet with Özdemir Erdoğan, "Heyamola" was performed as a trio with Coşkun Demir and Ali Kocatepe and "1945" was her solo performance - none got the chance to represent Turkey abroad. It was to be left to her pupil Erener to win the Eurovision and realise Aksu's dream to push her musical vision further into Europe.

In the 80's, Aksu had a relationship with producer Onno Tunç that was both romantic and professional. As a couple they put their signatures to works that broke new ground in Turkish pop music, such as Sen Ağlama (Don't Cry), Git (Go), Sezen Aksu'88 and Sezen Aksu Söylüyor (Sezen Aksu Sings). Her music matured in the 90's, when she co-produced her best selling album to-date Gülümse (Smile) with Tunç. The A-1 track from the album called Hadi Bakalım (Come On Now) was a hit in Turkey and Europe, and was published as a single in Germany. It was to be later rediscovered in Europop by singer Loona as Rhythm of the Night. She also began to produce albums for her vocalists, notably producing Aşkın Nur Yengi's debut album Sevgiliye (To a Lover) again with Tunç. She was to repeat her success with artists Erener and Yüksel also.

Parting ways with Tunç, in 1995, Aksu branched out with the experimental album Işık Doğudan Yükselir (Light Rises From the East), drawing both on western classical and regional Turkish musical traditions. This album made her name outside Turkey and gave her a world music following across Europe. In 1996, she released Düş Bahçeleri (Dream Gardens) as a tribute to Tunç, who died that same year tragically when his private plane crashed. In 1997, she released Düğün ve Cenaze (The Wedding And The Funeral), this time collaborating with Goran Bregović.

She returned to her roots with Adı Bende Saklı (Its Name Is Hidden In Me), which was released in 1998. She began to use experimental sounds and was once again pushing Turkish pop into the future. Aksu continued with this trend with her subsequent albums Deliveren (Crazymaker), Şarkı Söylemek Lazım (Gotta Sing) which also featured former Sparks bassist Martin Gordon as engineer/mixer (and also as bass player on her subsequent European tour), Yaz Bitmeden (Before The Summer Ends) between the years 2000 - 2003. After a two year hiatus, she returned with Bahane (Excuse) in 2005. That same year she released Kardelen (Snowdrop) where all proceeds went to charity, and before the end of 2005 released a Bahane/Remixes (Excuse/Remixes) double-CD album which contained the original Bahane album in disc one and the remixes of songs in Bahane in disc two. At the end of the year her albums Bahane, Kardelen and the re-released album Şarkı Söylemek Lazım were the three best-selling albums in the country.

In 2005 she was featured in Fatih Akin's documentary film "Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul" with a performance of the song "Istanbul Hatirasi."

Aksu has recently been re-releasing all her old classics digitally remastered and with specially designed new sleeves. After her concert tour in summer 2006.

Sezen Aksu performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on 7 October 2007. After Zeki Muren, she was only the second Turkish artist to perform at the prestigious venue.

In 2008 Aksu released her album called Deniz Yıldızı through Starfish Records. And in 2009 she released her latest album Yürüyorum Düş Bahçelerinde which sold over 100 000 copies during the first week of its release. The album contains new original songs as well as some older songs which were composed by Sezen Aksu for other singers, most notably Çakkıdı, Kibir, Yok Ki.

Discography[link]

Music Albums[link]

Acting/Musicals[link]

• Sezen Aksu Aile Gazinosu - (Sezen Aksu Family Music Hall) (1982)
• Bin Yıl Önce Bin Yıl Sonra - (1000 Years Before, 1000 Years Later) (1986)

sezen aksu

See also[link]

• Turkish Wikipedia and Sezen Aksu
• List of Turkish musicians

Notes[link]

1. ^ CD Baby
2. ^ ^{a b} 6Moons Review
3. ^ Sezen Aksu and Her Children
4. ^ Grant, Neva (12 April 2010). "Sezen Aksu: The Voice Of Istanbul". Morning Edition. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125787999. Retrieved 24 May 2011. 
5. ^ Aksu's expressive vocal technique, distinctive songwriting, and prolific output were all integral to her success and to the development of a unique Turkish pop sound. Many musicians--for example, Alexander Hacke and several of the artists he interviewed for the documentary Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul--have acknowledged Sezen Aksu's broad influence.
6. ^ With the Greek diaspora from Turkey in the seventies, many brought their musical tastes, which included Aksu's music to Greece; the Greek musicians Haris Alexiou and Giorgos Dalaras acknowledge her influence.
7. ^ Sezen Aksu (June 19, 2002). The Guardian

References[link]

• Sezen Aksu Sezen-Aksu.com.
• Sezen Aksu Discography Sezen Aksu Discography.
• Sezen.net Sezen.net.
• Sezen Aksu (June 19, 2002). The Guardian.
• Songs Must Be Sung (November, 2002). 6 Moons.
• Sezen Aksu And Her Children (September 15, 2004). DEUTSCHE WELLE.
• [1] Producer for Sezen Aksu

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sezen Aksu

• Sezen Aksu Video Klipleri
• Sezen Aksu at the Internet Movie Database
• Can Dündar - Hey gidi günler! (Turkish)
• The Official Sezen Aksu Web Site
• The Sezenciler Fansite
• sezen.onlinecosmos.com
• Sezen Aksu Dinle
• Review of 'Öptüm' (in English)

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008)

Joe & Mac (ジョーとマック 戦え原始人, Joe & Mac: Tatakae Genshiji^?), also known as Caveman Ninja, is a 1991 platform game released for the arcades by Data East. It was later adapted for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga and PC.

Gameplay[link]

The game stars the green-haired Joe and the blue-haired Mac, cavemen who battle through numerous prehistoric levels using, weapons such as boomerangs, bones, fire, flints, electricity, stone wheels, and clubs. The objective of the game is to rescue group of girls who were kidnapped by a rival tribe of cavemen. The game featured a health system by which the player loses health over a period of time apart from in boss battles.^{[citation needed]} A two player mode is available in which both characters could hurt each other.

The original arcade version had the distinction of allowing the player to select between different routes at the end of a boss battle. Also, after defeating the final boss, the players can choose between three exits, each one leading to a slightly different ending sequence.

Legacy[link]

The game was ported to many systems, many of which dropped the Caveman Ninja name and simply referred to the game as Joe & Mac.

Some of the final levels were excluded from the Amiga version, while the MS-DOS port is the most accurate home version. The Mega Drive/Genesis version follows in arcade accuracy with only minor downgrades in graphics and sound, resulting into the most accurate console version.

The Super NES version is a reworked game which features an overworld map used to choose the levels (unlike other versions all of them have to be played), which were longer, plus some bonus stages (either in the levels or out in the world map). Some of the weapons are missing and can no longer be charged up. The final boss is also different and there is only one ending.

The NES and Game Boy versions are much downgraded versions of the original arcade version, and lack the option of choosing levels.

A Zeebo version was announced with a release date sometime in 2010.^{[citation needed]} Golgoth Studios is currently working on an HD remake for XBLA, PSN and PC.^{[citation needed]}

Sequels[link]

The game was followed by various sequels. The Japanese version of the SNES game Congo's Caper was presented as a sequel called Tatakae Genshijin 2: Rookie no Bōken and featured a new protagonist. The title duo would later return in Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics, which added light role-playing aspects to the series. An arcade sequel titled Joe & Mac Returns eschewed the scrolling action of the original games in favor of gameplay similar to another Data East series, Tumblepop.

External links[link]

• Official G-Mode webpage of the Joe & Mac series
• Prehistoric Ninjitsu with Joe & Mac
• Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja at MobyGames
• Caveman Ninja at the Killer List of Videogames
• Joe & Mac Returns at the Killer List of Videogames