With their series of Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares albums, the Bulgarian State Female Vocal Choir became one of Eastern Europe's most successful and most celebrated musical exports. A 24-woman choir led by soloists Nadka Karadzhova, Yanka Rupkina, and Konya Stojanova, they first emerged for Western consumption in 1986 with Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, a collection of modern choral compositions originally issued on the 4AD label; the record eventually became a surprise mainstream hit, with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic enchanted by the singers' rich, stirring sound. A series of similar releases followed in the years to come. ~ Jason Ankeny