Yasak Helva

Yasak Helva is an Anatolian fusion band originating from İzmir, Türkiye, blending contemporary alternative rock, jazz, and electronic elements with traditional Anatolian rhythms and melodies. Drawing from a wide range of influences including jazz, progressive rock, funk, folk, and world music, the band creates a modern and borderless sound rooted in cultural heritage.

The group’s distinctive live setup features electro-acoustic cümbüş and çağlama, bass, drums, and expressive vocals, allowing them to reinterpret musical traditions from Anatolia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Caucasus through a contemporary lens. Improvisation plays a key role in their performances, often bridging the energy of progressive rock with the fluidity of jazz.

Yasak Helva has performed at major international festivals such as Sziget Festival (Hungary) and Jazz à Carthage (Tunisia), and has toured across Europe, the UK, and Türkiye. Their international visibility began with their reinterpretation of “Silifke Zeybeği” on the Saz Power compilation album, released across Europe, the United States, and Japan.

Their debut album Rektefe (2019) defined the band’s core sound, followed by a series of singles including Eki Attar, To Dervisaki, Eastern Journey, and Reyhani. In 2024, Yasak Helva contributed Bu Nasıl Dünya to the Moğollar Tribute Album. Their second full-length album, Atamba (2025), marks a new milestone, capturing the band’s live energy, compositional maturity, and cultural diversity.

Today, Yasak Helva continues to build bridges between tradition and modernity, positioning itself as a distinctive voice in the contemporary world music and alternative jazz scene.