Achai

Although throat singing exists in many parts of the world (there's even a throat singing tradition among the Thembu Xhosa of South Africa), nowhere is more associated with the art form than Tuva. In this small republic of southern Siberia, a style of throat singing called khöömei has long been the region's most recognised export. Alash Ensemble are one of the most active khöömei groups today, regularly performing in the US, the UK and elsewhere. The trio's third studio album, Achai (meaning ‘Fathers’) is dedicated to Kongar-ol Ondar, one of the great khöömei masters. He tragically passed away in 2013 at the age of 51, but was a ‘musical father’ both to Alash and to a whole generation of Tuvan musicians.

While their overall sound remains unmistakably Tuvan, Alash have never been afraid of breaking new ground. Having previously collaborated with Sun Ra Arkestra and Béla Fleck, on Achai Alash team up with Baltimore-based beatboxer Shodekeh on three tracks, including a duet (‘Flute Box’) with the murgu, a Tuvan overtone flute. Personally I find the beatboxing element a little hit-and-miss, but with old favourites included such as ‘Mezhegei’ and the beautiful ‘Kosh-ol and Torgalyg’, this album has something for everyone.