Since 1991, Yulduz Usmanova is the most popular representative of Uzbek World Music. Originally discovered by Blue Flame Records, Yulduz has an immense amount of song material still available ­ reason enough to finally release a so­called „best of“ CD.

Also available: „Alma Alma“ 39840572, „Jannona“ 39840772, „Binafscha“ 39840852, „The Selection Album“ 39850022 (all released on Blue Flame World Music).

The music from Yulduz is an outstanding fusion in the international pop music scene. The 34 year old graduate from the department for oriental music at the conservatory in Taschkent composes her songs on the basis of old folk songs still sung in Usbekian villages today. This traditional Usbekian folklore, that include Turkish, Persian and Central Asian influences, is being mixed with western Rock, Pop and Dancestyles. „When I started, I thought this traditional music has to be preserved“, explains Yulduz, „although it had to be modernized.“

Each composition is carried by traditional instruments ­ such as the Tambur (Central Asian long neck lute) or the Doira (original Usbekian percussion instrument), modern electronic and Yulduz’s powerful, yet emotional voice. The result is an interesting synthesis, that show rhythmic, melodious songs and ballads. In Central Asia, Yulduz has advanced to a super star using this „Ethno­Crossover“­variation. In Europe music magazines and feature sections in newspapers highly praised Yulduz’s first three CD’s „Alma Alma“ (1993), „Jannona“ (1995) and „Binafscha“ (1996) as special World Music „listening­pearls“.