About

Welcome! I hope you enjoy this site. There really isn't a good resource for Central Asian music, so I thought I would create my own.

Before I get started, however, perhaps I should answer a few questions.

First, where is Central Asia? Well, the region is comprised principally of the five former Soviet Muslim republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan), along with Afghanistan, the western Xinjiang province of China, Mongolia, and the southern areas of Siberia (especially the Tuvan region that borders Mongolia and Kazakhstan). For the sake of this site and for reasons that will become clear later on, I'll also include the Caucaus nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, even though they are not technically part of what most consider Central Asia.

For those who prefer a visual referent, here's a map of the region (save Mongolia):

Second, why did I decide to create this site? Well, anyone who has read my Liner Notes from the past year or so will know that I've developed a fascination with this region of the world. As I noted in one of those notes, Central Asia was, until 1991, invisible to those in the west; those "stans" simply existed as part of the larger, bulbous realm known as the USSR. Hence, it is a mysterious place, filled with mysterious people who play mysterious music. I'll proabably never get to these countries, but at least I have access to the music, and through this music I gain a respect and appreciation for this amazing corner of the world.

Third, what's with the name? Well, Almaty or Bust!, is a play on the title of Ralph Leighton's book, Tuva or Bust!  That book is about his and scientist Richard Fenyman's attempt to get to Tuva, and the book was designed (in a way) as an attempt to shed more light on that wonderful part of the world.  This site is about my attempts to spread the word about the music and culture of Central Asia (including Tuva).  Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan, and it is the current commercial center of the region. There is a large expatriate community within the city, and it's also a gateway, a place tourists fly into from Japan or Hong Kong or Germany or India or wherever else they are coming from. It does not have the history or architecture of a Samarkand, but it is flanked by mountains, which means it's one of the most beautiful places in the region. Hence, I figured it would be a good reference point for my virtual examination of the region.

Again, welcome, enjoy your stay, and please check out the albums and books I'm be reviewing here--they are well worth your attention!
mh