Pioneering music

Hanggai invited young Chinese composer Bi Jianbo, one of Tan's students, to help write and arrange the music for the jazz brass band's part in the new album.

"The sounds of different musical instruments fit well together and diversify the band's music. The combination also enhances a listener's imagination," says Bi.

The producer of Hanggai's new album is Canadian music producer Garth Richardson, who has previously worked on iconic albums for American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and Canadian group Nickelback, among others. Richardson had produced another Hanggai album in 2016, titled Horse of Colors.

Members of Hanggai spent more than 20 days in Canada recording the new album before flying to the United States. The jazz brass band part was recorded in Los Angeles.

"There were times when I was scratching my head wondering if this was all going to work. It did. I'm over the moon with the outcome. This is now the coolest record I have ever done. It's a very special record," Richardson writes in an email, adding that the band recorded at his studio in a forest on Canada's Sunshine Coast.

"We did a lot of outdoor recording to be at one with nature," he says. "We did drums and some vocals outside. The band always talked about the homelands and what it meant to them. This setting seemed to fit well with the bands vibe."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn