CD Review: Qetiq's 'Rock From Taklamakan Desert'

Qetiq
Rock From Taklamakan Desert
Dreyer Gaido

Uyghur rock music? You bet. This is a compelling, energetic, and unforgettable romp through the rock music of northwest China's Xinjiang province. There is a good combination of electric guitar, bass, drum, and vocals. The vocals are at times akin to Pearl Jam's lead singer. However, the music is not as hard as Pearl Jam. There are a plethora of traditional instruments in the mix, which includes dutar, citar, darbouka, riqq, and daf. There is even a little throat-singing on "Qara Jorgha," which plaintively accompanies the sweet sounds of the dutar. The emotive "Ag Bayan" is a great vocal and instrumental ballad - no matter what language it may be in. These songs come from a Uyghur and Kazakh perspective. Each track contains beautiful melodies and instrumentation that cannot be missed or ignored. Anyone interested in contemporary rock music with a traditional twist from China's northern deserts will love this one. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Roksonaki's 'Nauryz'

Roksonaki
Nauryz
Mosaiqa

Kazakhstan's Roksonaki is an ethnic ensemble with traditional instruments and tunes that highlight the beautiful music indigenous to the region of Central Asia on the historic Silk Road route. The music is diverse and pop-focused on two tracks--"Saulem-ai" and "Aitys." The first is rather melodic and catchy with a folk-rock style and backup vocals. The latter is a more contemporary tune with atmospheric winds and bossa nova style embellishments. However, the throaty, guttural vocals remind us we are not too far from Central Asia. However, the song merges into a pop-driven medley of angelic voices and showtune-type arrangements with operatic vocals and Broadway-esque renditions. The other tracks contain Jew's harp, drum-kit, keyboard, danyrga, bagpipes, dombra, hand drum, kyl-kobyz, acoustic guitar, saz-syrnay, and assorted percussion. The eleven tracks are a perfect accompaniment to anyone's Central Asian music library. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mamer - Eagle

Mamer
Eagle
Real World

Born in China's northwestern Xinjiang province, Mamer has been a pervasive figure in Chinagrass music: a blend of traditional Kazakh folk music and Chinese bluegrass. Mamer plays the guitar, dombra, sherter (plucked lute), Jew's harp, and dabel drum. He is joined by members of his band, IZ, on ghijek, kobyz, and sybyzghy (end-blown flute), as well as Mongolia's Hanggai, Grammy Award-winning musician, Bela Fleck on banjo, and a bonus track by the late-Hector Zazou. On Eagle, the ethnic elements of traditional, nomadic cultures encounter contemporary musical production and innovation. The throaty vocals of Mamer float gently alongside folksy instrumentation. In fact, the whole musical package is aptly named Eagle, because, it soars high like an eagle. Everyone who listens to Mamer will find themselves floating with excitement. It's that good. ~ Matthew Forss