Ulytau - Jumyr-Kylysh (2006)

«I have always tried to work on as many styles and genres of music as possible, from Ozzy Osbourne to Tears for Fears, there has always been something new to learn and enjoy from a complete change of style. The Ulytau project was sent to me by producer Tabriz Shakhidi from Russia and I immediately enjoyed their fusion of Hard Rock and traditional styles. The twisted combination of screaming rock guitar with more ethnic instruments like the dombra and violin make for an exciting aural treat. The musicians in the band really know how to play and make their instruments sound good that, coupled by the fact that the album was very well engineered made the mixing process a joy. Max is a virtuoso on the guitar, he follows in the path of such guitarists as Zack Wylde and Steve Vai. The dombra and violin playing are beautifully executed, traditional yet still perfectly connected in the more modern surrounding. I wish them all great success with this recording.”» (Tim Palmer, mixing and production)

Official website: http://www.ulytau.ru/eng_index.mhtml

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The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia (2005)

«While there are a few handfuls of albums of Mongolian music, and older targeted albums for particular nations, this is more of a rarity: an album covering the music of Central Asia as defined essentially by the 'Stans' of the former Soviet Union: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikstan. The music on Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia ranges from the classical traditions of the region, as hailing from Samarkand and Tashkent, to modern hard rock, as well as all points on the spectrum between the extremes. A number of the performers herein are fusionists and revisionists, combining traditional folk musics with contemporary sounds. The album starts on such a note with a mix of classical Kazakh tunes pounded over by electric guitars. Pop singers from the last decade of cultural exchange are sprinkled throughout the album, as recorded locally and through international channels (some have some decent fame in Europe). Folk performers and classicists also take their share of playing time, with masters of the various Central Asian lutes prominent, such as Turgun Alimatov. The album carries a little of something for everyone, in theory, without as many of the particularly foreign sounds, or the more weathered voices and wails that are sometimes known to accompany the music of the region. It's a more accessible entry point to the region's music than many, and may provide a good reference for current listeners to find something new, as well.» (AMG)

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