Sainkho Nantchylak: “Stepmother City” (Enisai) 3½ Stars

This “Stepmother” is wicked.  A purveyor of multioctave Tuvan throat singing, Namtchylak splices experimental jazz, Buddhism and electronica into a cohesive landscape.  Tracks “Let the Sunshine” and “Tuva Blues” reinforce the bond between music and spirituality, while “Born to Discover” and “Your Inner Eyes” chart a place somewhere between heart and mind.  At times recalling Yoko Ono and Bjork, Namtchylak’s soulful vocals at once evoke opera, bird song and even a child’s pleas.