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Ashkhabad, a Turkmen folklore band formed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was founded in 1993. The group included Atabai Charykuliev on vocals and tar, Gasan Mamedov on violin, Sabir Riazev on clarinet and soprano saxophone, Kurban Kurbanov on accordion, and Hakberdy Allamuradov on dep. Lead singer Atabai Charykuliev was discovered by orientalist and producer Nazim Nadirov while performing at weddings. In 1993, Ashkhabad released their debut album City of Love under Peter Gabriel's Real World label, marking them as the first musical group from the former Soviet Union to be published by this label. The band collaborated with Greek singer-songwriter Thanasis Papakonstantinou and Melina Kana on the album Loot in 1998. Lead singer Atabai Charykuliev passed away on March 21, 2009, in Ashgabat.
