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Sainkho Namtchylak Stepmother City [Ponderosa/Harmonia Mundi CD003 (2002)]
When Sainkho Namtchylak's soaring voice comes in after a couple of introductory minutes of Tuvan electronica it becomes immediately obvious that it has a riveting, almost otherworldly sound. Namtchylak is a cult figure known for creating music that draws from throat singing, free jazz, shamanistic rituals, Siberian folklore, and Buddhism. Many fans and practitioners of avant-garde music have an abiding interest in traditional music; seldom do the two musical polarities meet with such synergy. Namtchylak's amazing vocal technique and seven octave range leads one to suspect that she has a bloodline linking her to Yma Sumac. She even sings several songs in English, giving her unlikely but possible hit potential in North America. Saxophonist Ned Rothenberg, who also plays shakuhachy [sic] and bass, is the best known member of a great band.
(PEC) 12/01/02
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