Sanubar Tursun - Arzu: Songs of the Uyghurs

With accompaniment from her brother Nur Muhemmet Tursun on tambur, satar and dutar, 'Arzu' is the first solo recording by Sanubar Tursun, one of the icons of Central Asian music, to be made available in the Western market.

Vocalist Sanubar Tursun is the leading performer of the music of the Uyghurs - people from the desert and mountainous region of northwest China. Stylistically Uyghur music lies somewhere between the Central Asian heartland and the sound worlds of Mongolia and China. In many ways it is closely related to neighboring Central Asian urban traditions, from the use of small ensembles of long-necked lutes and frame drums to the Sufi poetic style of the lyrics.

Personnel: Sanubar Tursun (vocals), Nur Muhemmet Tursun (tambur, satar, dutar)