V.A. - The Rough Guide to the Music of China (2003) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Whatever you imagined about Chinese music, put it aside for this stunning compilation that captures China today. Yes, there's a brief (and actually very listenable) snippet of Chinese opera, but much of this is decidedly contemporary, whether it's the endearing, broken English semi-punk of Hang on the Box, or the simply otherworldly, captivating music of Urna. And to hear Tse Chun Yan on the qin, a type of zither, is to understand the possibilities of the instrument. The Chinese-German band, Wu Xing, offer plenty of space in their track, with a singing style that bridges the gap between classical and contemporary music. Following it with a classic cinema song from the pre-Communist era makes for a surreal juxtaposition, but still splendid, like walking farther and farther into an unknown but enchanting forest. While Chinese pop has often received a bad rap, the examples here show a very creative side, whether it's the atmospheric, building sound of Tats Lau, the rocker Cui Jian, or Ai Jing's classic "My 1997," which caused a controversy on its release in 1992. Put everything together here, even the intelligent new age of Kin Taii, and you have what's possibly the most persuasive -- and certainly the most accessible -- compilation of Chinese music available in the West. by Chris Nickson  
Tracklist:
1 Cui Jian– Yi Wu Suo You (Nothing To My Name) 5:32
Written-By – Cui Jian
2 Urna– Silaihuar 6:00
Arranged By – Robert Zollitsch, Urna
Traditional
3 Yao Gongbai– Jiu Kuang 'The Drinking Song' 2:09
4 Bai Hong– Wo Yao Hui Jia (I Want To Go Home) 3:00
Lyrics By – Chen Dong-Sun
Music By – Yao Min
5 Ai Jing– My 1997 5:11
Music By – Eddie R
Music By, Lyrics By – Ai Jing
6 Min Xiao-Fen– Stone Forest Nocturne 4:57
Written-By – Lin Jieliang
7 Zheng Jun Mian & Li Hong– Hong Niang Hui Zhang Sheng 1:56
8 Silk Road Music– Shananxi Air 3:44
Arranged By – Qui-Xia He
Traditional
9 Hang On The Box– Yellow Banana 2:03
Bass [Uncredited] – Yi Lina
Drums [Uncredited] – Shen Jing
Guitar [Uncredited] – Yang Fan
Lyrics By – Yi Lina
Music By – Yang Fan
Music By, Lyrics By – Wang Yue
Vocals [Uncredited] – Wang Yue
10 Kin Taii– Nocturnal Light 5:15
Written-By – Kin Taii
11 Li Xiang Lan– Lan Guei Ji Ji 2:32
Lyrics By – Yi Fang
Music By – Yao Min
12 Tse Chun Yan– The Green Brook Running 4:50
Traditional
13 Sinkiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Song & Dance Ensemble– Titik Bostan 1:48
14 Wu Xing– Bo 3:56
Lyrics By – Hong Mi-Jen
Music By – Robert Zollitsch
15 Gong Chio Xia– Chiang Wei Cu Cu Kai 3:07
Written-By – Chen Ge-Xin
16 TATs Lau– Autumn Moon 2:35
Lyrics By – Kubert Leung
Music By – TATs Lau
17 Liu Fang & Frahan Sabbagh– The Night Of Bonfire 5:07
Written-By – Wu Junsheng