Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares - Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares

Philips - LP

France, 1989

Traditional / Choir / Folk

One of the very rare ethnomusicological recordings to ever make it to the global pop charts, due to an inexplicable hype in the mid-1980's. This stylish French compilation of Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares, released a few years after the two 4AD reissues that offered the choir a broader audience, features some of their most heart-rending songs. Eternal music and a big favourite.

It's not clear whether Mamoru Oshii originally wanted to use their music in his groundbreaking Ghost In The Shell animation film or if he just submitted the music to Kenji Kawai, but the influence of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares over Kawai's score is blatant. Coincidently, it turns out that the female choir from Sofia contributed to the soundtrack of Sci-Fi film Bunker Palace Hotel,  Enki Bilal's directing debut, a decade earlier. A proof of timelessness I guess. Amazing textured artwork too. (VG+/VG+ Superficial mark that doesn't affect the play)