Eagle by Mamer

Mamer is one of China’s most original and influential young artists. Born and raised in Qitai County in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Province, he has become a cult figure in the Beijing underground music scene.

Mamer’s debut, ‘Eagle’, is a seminal album of troubadour folk, touched with the renegade spirit of everyone from Woody Guthrie to the Velvet Underground and Nick Cave. His low, resonant voice adds a magical element to the heartbreakingly beautiful music, traditional Kazakh folk songs and Mamer’s own compositions.

Guests including Grammy winner Bela Fleck (on a Chinagrass dueling banjos-style duet), members of Hanggai and IZ, as well as the late, great French producer Hector Zazou.

‘Eagle’ is a modern soundtrack to the open grasslands, breathing life into the ancient songs and instruments of this magical landscape.

As a special offer, available only from our online shop, we are giving away a download of a track not available on the final album, ‘Proverbs’ (Hector Zazou remix) to anyone who pre-orders the album.

Tour dates for Mamer

• Brussels 08/05/09
• Nantes, Pays de la Loire 09/05/09
• London 16/05/09
• London 18/05/09
• WOMAD, Malmesbury, Southwest 26/07/09

Lightbox by Spiro

Spiro are this month’s artists on the Real World curated Bowers and Wilkins Music Club. You can see them here talking about recording the project at Real World Studios, with an introduction from Peter Gabriel. Catch them this month at The Music Club, at upcoming festivals – Wychwood and WOMAD Charlton Park – and their new album ‘Lightbox’ out June 22nd on Real World Records.