Huun-huur-Tu
The remote region of Tuva, one of the new countries formed with the dissolution of the U.S.S.R., has produced one of the world's most unusual vocal groups, Huun-Huur-Tu. Masters of the throat singing style of xoomei, in which a vocalist produces two or three notes simultaneously, the group has been warmly by an international following. According to Jazz Times, "a rustic joyousness and unadulterated expresiveness come out of these musicians". Analyzing Huun-Huur-Tu's music, The Chicago Tribune, wrote, 'it is unfamiliar yet very accessible, an other-worldly but deeply spiritual music that is rooted in the sound of nature". Dirty Linen took a similar view, claiming, "this music is both very spiritual and down to earth, grounded in a strong sense of place, yet its appeal is universal." In addition to recording their own albums, the members of Huun-Huur-Tu have contributed their unique vocals to albums and/or performances by Frank Zappa, The Chieftains, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, The Kronos Quartet and L. Shankar and Ry Cooder's soundtrack of the film, Geronimo. Their on-going collaboration with Angelite, the Bulgarian Woman's Choir under the direction of Mikhail Alperin, has yielded two memorable albums -- Fly, Fly My Sadness in 1994 and Mountain Tale in 1998. Although its name translates literally as "sun propeller", Huun-Huur-Tu represents much more. In a 1994 interview, founding percussionist Alexander Bapa explained, "(the name of the band refers to) the vertical seperation of light rays that are often seen on the grasslands just after sunrise or just before sunset". Initially named "Kungurtuk", Huun-Huur-Tu came together, in 1992, to play "the old and forgotten songs". Founding members Sasha and Sayan Bapa and Kaigalool Khovalyg had previously performed a state-sanctioned ensemble during the Soviet regime. Although Tuvan music had traditionally been performed by a solo singer or instrumentalist, the group sound of Huun-Huur-Tu set them apart. Huun-Huur-Tu has experienced several personnel changes. Original member Anatoli Kuular left to form a new band, Yat-Kha, in late 1993, and was replaced by Anatoli Kuular, a master of the borbangnadyr style of singing and a virtuosic player of the mouth harp (xomuz) and byzanchi. Percussionist Alexander Bapa left, in 1995, to become a producer in Moscow, and was replaced by Alexander Siraglar, a sygyt singer, string player and precussionist.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
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Discography
17 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Legend
The Bulgarian Voices Angelite, Moscow Art Trio, Huun-huur-Tu
Eastern Europe - Released by Jaro Records on 16 Apr 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dreamers In The Field
Huun-huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
Alternative & Indie - Released by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC on 19 Apr 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ancestors Call (Huun Huur Tu)
Asia - Released by world village on 1 Oct 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live at The Triskel (Live)
Asia - Released by Jaro Records on 24 Jan 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mother Earth! Father Sky!
World - Released by Jaro Records on 2 Sep 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Orphan's Lament
World - Released by Shanachie on 23 Nov 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Sixty Horses In My Herd
World - Released by Shanachie on 19 Nov 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fly, Fly My Sadness
The Bulgarian Voices Angelite, Huun-huur-Tu
Eastern Europe - Released by Jaro Records on 24 Sep 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Spirits From Tuva
Dance - Released by Jaro Records on 2 Sep 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Mountain Tale
The Bulgarian Voices Angelite, Moscow Art Trio, Huun-huur-Tu
Eastern Europe - Released by Jaro Records on 27 Mar 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Children of the Otter
Classical - Released by Jaro Records on 28 Sep 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
If I'd Been Born An Eagle
World - Released by Shanachie on 21 Jan 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Where Young Grass Grows
World - Released by Shanachie on 19 Jan 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Steppe & Horses (Live)
World - Released by Jaro Records on 2 Apr 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tamidin - Bolur daa bol (Nomad's Roots Project)
World - Released by One Root Music on 5 Jul 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo