China’s Music Scene

China’s Music Scene. The World Music Magazine Songlines has been focusing on Chinese Music in recent issues. Here below is an example of some of the groups and musicians they have recommended.

The first is Hanggai. A Beijing based Mongolian group that plays traditional Mongolian music. Great party and drinking music as you will see from the Videos.

YouTube – INTRODUCING HANGGAI PROMO VIDEO

YouTube – inner mongolian band playing folk music in bar

The second recommendation is Mamer.

A Beijing based Kazakh musician who specializes in Kazakh folk music. I fell in love with Kazakh music when camping out by Tianchi lake in Xinjiang in 2002.  An old lady gave me a damaged cassette that lasted a week. On returning to Urumqi I found it impossibe to find any Kazakh music on sale in the markets or shops. It seems at last my quest has been completed by discovering Mamer.

YouTube – MAMER Eagle

The third recommendation is Jah Wobble’s Chinese Dub, that includes Miao Singers and Mask Changers (bianlian 变脸), all singing and dancing to Jah wobbles hypnotic rhythms.

YouTube – Jah Wobble Chinese Dub

YouTube – Womad – Jah Wobble Chinese Dub – Mask Changers Close Up

Author: Adam

My name is Adam. I have a degree in Chinese History from SOAS and a masters in International Politics focused on China from the same university. I have travelled around China 9 times and since 2000 I have travelled every year for two months. I guess I kind of like the place!

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