A1 (sample1) Recorded in Paisha village. Guizhou Miao performers on three lusheng of differing sizes, plus four women playing mantan (single-note bamboo pipe). A2 At a Flower Miao wedding in Muli, southern Sichuan: improvised dancing by the young people and adults dancing in a circle, with hulusheng played at the center. A3 In Biasha village, Guizhou Hmong playing the reed instrument dongliang, plus a love song between a man and a woman. B1 (sample2) In Baicaoping village, Sichuan, a solo hulusheng performance by a Flower Miao man. B2 A lusheng ensemble of six Guizhou Hmong men — a demonstration for tourists in Biasha village. B3 Recorded in Songlong village. Guizhou Ge people playing the gupiaoqin, an extremely rare violin-like instrument, handmade, improvised and tuned on the spot, with two hemp strings played by rubbing. B4 In Songlong village, Guizhou, a traditional canon (round) sung by two elderly Ge women. B5 (sample3) Loud mountain songs by Guizhou Water Miao women, encountered in Dali, Yunnan.
The label "Miao" says nothing of the diversity of the nine million people and 38 distinct ethnic groups living mainly in Guizhou, southern China; it is a blanket classification imposed by the Communist Party on ethnic minorities with no regard for their own sense of identity. Comes with detailed notes by Laurent covering the conflicts this still causes today along with the social and political background. And of course it's wonderful simply listened to with an empty mind. (Original Japanese text by Adachi)