“Chorchok” is the title of the new album from New Asia, an ensemble led by vocalist and instrumentalist Dobrynya Satin, from Altai/Altay in southwestern Siberia. The region borders Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia. It is a land of ice-cold rivers, snow-covered peaks and barren steppes.
The music of Altai is characterized by throat singing and numerous traditional instruments. Performers sing about epic heroic tales and also present shamanic rituals accompanied by chants and tambourine sounds. New Asia skillfully combines Altai traditions with classic rock, reggae, progressive rock and even a bit of American country music.
“Chorchoc” means “fairy tales” or “legends from ancient times”. New Asia’s songs bring attention to the rich musical tradition of their homeland: the track “Topshuur” is a tribute to the indispensable musical instrument of every storyteller from Altai. “Shunu Warrior” is reminiscent of a great war hero of the 17th century: the people love the man who had extraordinary powers and was also clever and wise. In contrast, the airy “Konokrad” is about the adventures of a horse thief. In “Derevenskie Tancy”, New Asia bow to the cheerful tradition of rural wedding dances.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.