There are about 600,000 Kazakhs living in Russia, and they are the tenth [largest ethnic group in] the country in terms of population. Most of the Russian Kazakhs are indigenous to the regions located along the Russia-Kazakhstan border. This border is the second longest in the world after the US-Canada border.

In the Adamovsky District of the Orenburg Region, Kazakhs make up a third of the total population. “Young Flowers” is a translation of “Zhas Gulem” (“Jas Gülim” in correct modern Kazakh Latin), the name of an ensemble from the district center led by Amanzhol Ismukhambetov. The group and other local musicians mainly interpret common Kazakh folk songs.

Performers (on the album cover photo from top to bottom left to right):
Amanzhol Ismukhambetov (apart from the ensemble) — tracks 7, 8, 10
Turebek Makashev (Belopolye village) — 5, 11–14
Mukhtar Tulkubaev — 10
Raziya Zhakupova — 1
Zhas Gulem Ensemble — 4, 6, 9
Kusem Village Choir — 2, 3

Recorded in the Adamovka House of Culture.

Released November 22, 2024

Source: Antonovka Records (Bandcamp)