Album Notes

The album «Ymai» is a result of artistic cooperation of some young musicians from the Altai and Khakassia,
assisted by famous khakass folk singer and hereditary shamaness Alisa Kyzlasova. Music on his cd is divided
compositionally into two equal parts. The first part can be described as an attempt to find inner meaning of
the beautiful, rich and ancient musical heritage of Khakass and Altai people made by younger generation of
folk musicians, who trying to keep this tradition alive in modern times. Stylistically, this part can be
attributed to the world music. The second part consists of some authors and folk songs performed by legendary
khakass singer, actress and shamaness Alisa Kyzlasova, whose music inspired this young musicians to start
working on this album and who guided them wisely in learning of the traditional performers art. On this disc
you can hear the all wide range of khakass folk music – from epic heroic tales with special style of throat
singing (khai) accompanied by playing on the khakass cittern (tchatkhan), to modern folk songs on lyrical and
domestic themes, which sometimes can be seen strong influence of Russian traditional music. The songs about
past and present of khakass and altai land, about love and veneration of nature, about ancient spirits and
gods of turk people is played here on a traditional music instruments and bringing the life spirit and energy
of one of the most beautyful and sacred places on Earth – Sayan Mountains.