Songs of the grasslands from one of China's most innovative and influential artists. Lyrical, troubador folk infused with an altcountry sensibility. Mamer is one of Chinarsquos most innovative and influential artists, drawing inspiration from the songs and poetry of the grasslands where he grew up. emEagleem features a repertoire of grassland songsnormally sung solo and accompanied by the simple twostringed dombraadapted and updated for the 21st century, whilst at the same time preserving their unaffected lyricism. br br Mamer was born in Qitai County in Chinarsquos northwestern Xinjiang province, some 2000 miles from Beijing, near Chinarsquos border with Russia and Kazakhstan. One of 10 children, he learnt the songs and instruments of the grasslands from his father and grandfather. His 5piece band lsquoIZrsquo was credited with singlehandedly kickstarting Chinarsquos altcountry scene, and Eagle is his debut solo album. br br With a warmer and more intimate sound than his recordings with IZ, emEagleem finds Mamer in an introspective mood, and features a collection of songs that deal with universal grassland themes the nature of man, the delicate balance of man and nature, and the temptations of modernity. Produced by Robin Haller and Matteo Scumaci and featuring a grassland duelingbanjos style duet with multipleGrammy award winner Bela Fleck plus bonus mix by the late French producer and Mamer admirer Hector Zazou.