Heavy compilers and music enthusiasts Chris Menist and Maft Sai are the ones to which we should be thankfully for the abundant wave of Thai music released in the past few years.
Their common effort put together a few impressive and notable things: ZudRangMa Records, a great record label focusing on reissues of Thai folk, funk and dance music (which also comes with the sub-label Paradise Bangkok, the subject of this review); a series of Paradise Bangkok music events in Thailand, Japan and Europe; two compilations on Soundway – The Sound of Siam 1 and The Sound of Siam 2; they curated the newly formed band The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, which already gained international exposure and appreciation; they also curated releases of Finders Keepers, Strut and many more. You should watch Chris Menist’s own blog for more stories. Maft Sai is known as a great and versatile music connoisseur, a collector and selector for over a decade, spinning with no inhibitions ”roots Luk Thung/ Molam to reggae, west African, Ethiopian, far Eastern psyche and underground sounds from around the world.”
The term molam is actually two separate words combined: Mo means ‘expert’ or ‘doctor’ and lam means ‘to sing’. Therefore the literal translation refers to ‘singing expert’. Many molam records have extended intros, which allow a vocalist to establish the theme of the song, as well as flex their improvisational muscles.
Paradise Bangkok: The Album collects all the tracks from the Paradise Bangkok's limited edition of 45s, on one volume, including also an exclusive comic designed by Lewis Heriz of Soundway Records.
If you haven’t confronted yet the few compilations on ZudRangMa Records and Soundway, this album compilation might be the right key to opening an exquisite world of bygone music coming from an eccentric and exotic place like Thailand. It means different things to different people. Beyond the beaches and tourist spots lies a world of music still waiting to be discovered. Be it spaced out jazz, raw funk or the meditative sounds of the North East, Thailand is a great hot spot for music that I bet you're not THAT familiar with.
Tracklist:
1. Prasai Jaekankaeo - Mor Khaen Ha Khu2. Chanpen Dennapa - Lam Teoy Dai Lao Leaw Luemmia
3. Chailai-Duangdao - Chak Mak Pai
4. Narong Rurachbuadang - Siang Teoy Jak Phin-Jak Khaen
5. Nung Lamyong Kularbseemuang - Kati Sorn Jai
6. Sroeng Santi - Pai Na Pai
7. Chamnapa Petchpalanchai - Lam Plearn Dok Koon Siang Khaen
8. Sornpetch Pinyo - Nao Muan Jai Ja Kad
9. Sroeng Santi - Kao Mai Rak Rao Rhok
10. Somjai Nilbarun - Lam Plearn Diew Khaen Diew Phin