Гунеш / Gunesh Ensemble ‎– Вижу Землю / Looking At The Earth (1984, LP, USSR)

Founded in 1970 in Ashkhabad, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union, the band was established still in Soviet Turkmenistan as vocal band with some support musicians by Turkmenistan State Radio and TV company. Later more young musicians came to play and band's music became more modern. At that time characteristic style was formed as mix of traditional Central Asian mugams and jazz rock arrangements. With such music band participated in some popular festivals around Soviet Union, received some trophies and became popular. Their first LP was released in 1980 at soviet state label "Melodyja" and contained traditional central Asian music in jazz-rock arrangements plus Vietnamese singer. Second LP was released after 4 years. Music there was more modern, and it became very popular all around the country. Later these two LP's were re-released on "Rishad Shafi presents Gunesh" CD. Band participated in many jazz-festivals all around Eastern Europe, Africa and Central Asia. Second CD ( or third album) was recorded in 1990 only.
Line-up was changed many times, around 65 musicians have been a band's members in different time, and in fact soon became drummer Rishad Shafi and team of often changed musicians band.

Side A

A1. Байконур / Baikonur (5:02) 

A2. Бу Дерды / Bu Derdy (7:44) 

A3. Восточный Экспресс / Oriental Express (3:32)

Side B

B1. Ритмы Кавказа / Rhythms Of The Caucasus (8:25) 

B2. Ветер С Берегов Ганга / Wind From The Gang (4:32) 

B3. Вьетнамские Фрески / Vietnamese Frescoes (4:20) 

Line-up / Musicians

Oleg Korolev / keyboards, group leader

Rishad Shafiev (Shafi) / drums, percussion

Mikhail Loguntsov / guitar, copus (komuz), hitar (dutar)

Vladimir Belousov / bass

Shamil Kurmanov / trumpet

Alexander Stasukevich / trumpet

Yusif Aliev / trombone

Stanislav Morozov / tenor saxophone

Vakhid Rizaev / soprano & alto saxophones

Hassan Mamedov / violin

Stepan Stepanyants / keyboards