Shu-De - Beezhinden (Coming Back From Beijing)

From their album “Voices From The Distant Steppe” (Real World Records CDRW-41) released in 1994. Hark, the wondrous traditional sounds of the Tuvans – once heard, never forgotten. Throat-singing, at least as old as the 8th century, is practiced by very few cultures - Mongolia and Tibet providing the only other strong examples - and Tuvans are arguably the finest exponents. The practice was not encouraged by the Soviet authorities, but continues to thrive nonetheless, appearing in many contemporary genres.

Shu-De is a word a rider uses to shout to their horse, like “gee-up!”, but it can also mean “good” or “excellent” in appreciation of a musical performance. The group recorded the first of their two albums whilst visiting the UK in 1992. Over the course of these, they offer a great many different styles to fill up your senses, and the highlights are plentiful. The cheerful “Beezhinden” is my favourite although the pressing plant did their very best to fool the world into thinking that this one was titled “Aian Dudal” on the CD. On the plus side, at least they made me concentrate and sharpen up on my Tuvan!