Yenisei Punk [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
The Central Asian country of Tuva and its music aren't quite so obscure since the high-profile release of the Genghis Blues film documentary and CD. A precursor to that project, Yenisei-Punk is the groundbreaking 1995 debut from Yat-Kha (pronounced Yat-ha). Remastered and reissued with two extra tracks, Yenisei-Punk takes otherworldly Tuvan throat singing and fuses it with rock and blues, embellishing several tracks here with guitar. While leader Albert Kuvezin claims to be influenced by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Sonic Youth, tracks like "Kaa-Khem" actually sound closer to the Velvet Underground with its simple but insistent percussion, rock guitar chord progressions, and morinhoor (a bowed Tuvan instrument). It's also interesting to note that Kuvezin, in classic punk fashion, remakes such Soviet propaganda songs as "Solun Chaagai Sovet Churtum" (i.e., "Beautiful Soviet Country"), adding a cynical edge in much the same way that the Sex Pistols did with "God Save the Queen." Definitely one of the more interesting musical hybrids one is likely to come across. --Tad Hendrickson

Tracks:

Solun Chaagai Sovet Churtum (Beautiful Soviet Country)
Karangailyg Kara Hovaa [Dyngyldai] (In The Endless Black Steppe)
Kaa-Khem (Name Of A River)
Kuu-La Khashtyn Baaryndan (At The Foot Of The Mountain)
Kamgalanyr Kuzhu-Daa Bar (We Have Protection Force)
Irik Chuduk (Rotten Log)
Chashpy-Khem (Name Of A River)
Kadarchy (Shepherd Boy)
Chok-La Kizhi Yry (Song Of Poor Lonely)
Een Kurug Kagban-Na Men (I Didn't Leave My Yurt Empty)
Toorugtug Taiga (Cedar Taiga)
Kargyram
Bonus Track 1
Bonus Track 2

Amazon.com

The Central Asian country of Tuva and its music aren't quite so obscure since the high-profile release of the Genghis Blues film documentary and CD. A precursor to that project, Yenisei-Punk is the groundbreaking 1995 debut from Yat-Kha (pronounced Yat-ha). Remastered and reissued with two extra tracks, Yenisei-Punk takes otherworldly Tuvan throat singing and fuses it with rock and blues, embellishing several tracks here with guitar. While leader Albert Kuvezin claims to be influenced by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Sonic Youth, tracks like "Kaa-Khem" actually sound closer to the Velvet Underground with its simple but insistent percussion, rock guitar chord progressions, and morinhoor (a bowed Tuvan instrument). It's also interesting to note that Kuvezin, in classic punk fashion, remakes such Soviet propaganda songs as "Solun Chaagai Sovet Churtum" (i.e., "Beautiful Soviet Country"), adding a cynical edge in much the same way that the Sex Pistols did with "God Save the Queen." Definitely one of the more interesting musical hybrids one is likely to come across. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Tuva meets the Velvets.......2002-10-02

This is a weird one: Tuvan throat singing merged with slow, electrified folk/blues arrangements, and a dark tinge of difficult-listening art-rock. There's a strong influence (whether conscious or not) of the Velvet Underground, particularly with the presence of a droning string instrument, rather similar to John Cale's early abrasions with the VUs. If you crave unusual albums, this is one worth tracking down.

Average customer rating:

Amazing artists no one looks at.

Yenisei Punk
Yat-Kha
Manufacturer: Stern's Music U.S.a.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Rock | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00001T39D
Release Date: 2000-09-04

Customer Reviews:

Amazing artists no one looks at........2001-04-23

Well as most people who come to this page know, Yat Kha is from Tuva and play music with a touch of tuvan tradition to it. As I became very interested in this style of music after watching the movie "Ghengis Blues" I found myself looking for more and more music from this place called Tuva. As I was searching for some pages on the distinctive singing style of Karygyraa from tuva, I came across this band and became extremely interested. Their website is ... They are a truly interesting band that plays with a touch of tradition and a touch of the new. My favourite song so far has been Yenisei Punk which is a song that has a distinct near industrial tone to it. Although they don't seem to have any of this cd in stock right now on north american release you can also order it from them as the import. I would highly recomend this CD.

Average customer rating: