The city of Ürümqi, even though its name sounds like it was invented by Jorge Luis Borges, is actually a real place in northwestern China, the largest city in western China, and the capital of the Xinjian Uyghur Autonomous Region. It holds the distinction of being the city furthest away from any sea, about 1,400 miles. What kind of music do people produce who are so far away from oceans? Surf music it isn't, that I can tell you. Fortunately for us, Fausto of the excellent Shirley & Spinoza internet radio stream spent some time in Ürümqi recently, and compiled a bunch of great tracks from the region under the name Music Furthest From The Sea - pop sounds from the unStan Vol. 1. I repost it here for your pleasure, but you can find the original post with more information (and lots of comments) over at Shirley & Spinoza. If these songs reminds you of Turkish music, you are on the right track. The people living in Xinjiang are mostly Uyghur, a Turkic people of Central Asia.
MP3s:
Dutarim | Arzigul Tursun - Yarbagi | Momenjan - Yakhsan | Anwar Turak - Seliga | Yasinjan Tokhti - Chatma Nakcha | Ablimit Ahmet - Kurai Dep Kaldum | Arzigul Tursun - Gul Garangza | Abdukadir Yar Eli - Levan Yarla | Yulduz Usmonova - Yigit | Tallangantansam Muzikiuiri 6a | Nadira - Hasret Cektim | Yurrekke Tolghan Dert - Hasret | Doslar | Shahrizoda - Guzel Ertek | Turghan Emir - Bulak Puyida | Mahmet Tursun - Utch Pada | Abdurehim Heyit - Rasjilukim | Kaxgar Kizi - Chirayliq | Anwar Turak - Tuman
Cover Art (to make your own CD): Front | Back
Be sure to also check out Fausto's mix Sounds Of My City: Ürümqi on the Shirley & Spinoza site. You'll be treated to the sounds of droning pigeons, air raid sirens, and much more. If you want visuals, there are a few short videos of field recordings in Xinjiang on the website, too. And leave him some positive feedback, maybe he'll compile a second volume eventually.
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