Igor Koshkendey will inevitably be compared to
Huun-Huur-Tu, the more famous group of throat-singers and folk musicians from Tuva (the part of Mongolia sliced off by the Soviets). But that comparison actually works to the benefit of
Koshkendey. Far from being an afterthought or a cashing-in on the latest craze in world music,
Igor Koshkendey is a prodigy. He is an expert in several of the region's styles of overtone singing (a manipulation of the sinuses, lips, throat, etc., that allows one person to produce two, three, or even four tones simultaneously). His small group of musicians, playing primarily the oshdpuluur lute, the igil two-string fiddle, and drums, creates a music that nimbly leaps from the gothic to the light and witty. The rhythm is a consistent clip-clop, appropriate for a culture so singularly devoted to the horse, but the tempo varies from an amble to a canter.
Koshkendey is well served by whoever picked out his material. Instead of the over-use of the Tuvan jaw harp we get with
Huun-Huur-Tu, there is a nice variety of song styles and instruments. Catchy hooks and fun tunes keep one from ever getting bored. The result is surprisingly accessible, sounding a bit like songs from the Old West, if such had been sung by men from Mars. Good liner notes and photos of Tuva, too. File under "that far out CD you've been promising yourself you'd try."