The sound of Siami – Leftfield Luk-thung, Jazz & Molam in Thailand 1964-1975

The DJ duo and vinyl collectors Chris Menistand Miles Cleret have been playing theirunique mix of Thai gems from yesteryeararound Bangkok and elsewhere for a coupleof years now, spinning some of thewonderful singles that feature on thisterrific new compilation. The period covered on the compilation1964-1975, is considered by Thais to be the golden era of lukthung music, when the form was developing out of its morerustic roots and incorporating all the new foreign sounds –rock’n’roll, jazz, funk, soul, Latin rock and psychedelia, to name afew – that were increasingly found in the country as a result ofAmerican troops stationed there during the Vietnam war. Thus weget classic luk thung on tracks by legends such as Plearn Promdan –his ‘Wan Maha Sanook’ (Great Day of Fun) is a surreal track thatreferences reefer-toking elephants and drunk monkeys – as well asclassic lam (called molam here) from Laotians from the north-east, like Chaweewan Dumnern. But that is not all as there are all kinds ofhybrids – funk mixed with lam by Saknatree Srichiangmai, or jazzpoetics from the Viking Combo Band. Then there is the raw sexualinnuendo of influential bandleader Waipod Phetsuphan on his ‘DingDing Dong’ which would give Chuck Berry a run for his money. Beautifully illustrated and packaged, this compilation is likely tobecome a cult favourite for music fans who enjoyed the Cambodian Rocks series from a few years ago. Every track is a revelation.