Real World Records

City of Love

• by Ashkhabad
• Real World Region: Asia 1
• May 1993

Most members of Ashkhabad are traditional musicians, earning their living by playing at weddings. They take their name from the capital city of their home state of Turkmenistan, formerly a part of the Soviet Union.

Only recently have the new authorities recognised and accepted the validity of the Islamic wedding rites of this Muslim state. At last, the group are able to perform openly and gain exposure through the media. With violin, keyboards, accordion, clarinet, saxophone and percussion, the group's music ranges from wildly romantic melodies to the vibrant folk music of their roots.

Reviews

The ballads are tear-jerking, the dances wild, the whole sound so amazingly universal and yet so easily placed on the map.

2 August 1993

Press review from: Cmj (USA)

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