Artist Huun Huur Tu

The Tuvan throat-singers of Huun Huur Tu have helped an improbably big international audience embrace one of the world's most distinct musical styles from one of the world's most remote regions. Formed in the early '90s, the group accompanies its vocals (in which one singer can summon two or three notes at once, to entrancing effect) with the traditional stringed instruments and percussion of the region. To American ears, it's a boldly striking sound but also full of sweeping melody and sturdy, bouncy rhythm. The group took a slightly less traditional direction on its latest album, Eternal, collaborating with electronic musician Carmen Rizzo to incorporate synths and beats that take what Huun Huur Tu already does well and expand its massive, mystic scope.

Updated 09/23/2009