Em Records

Ultra-positive consciousness from Afro-Caribbean London, circa 1979. Members of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band (one of Grand Master Flash's favourites) sailing Trinidad-wise over gratifyingly intricate African ritual rhythms. Strong vocals compliment reggae, funk, disco and soul influences to form a relentless groove machine. 

Steel an' Skin, a unit composed of young nightclub musicians born in Ghana, Nigeria, St. Kitts, Trinidad and the U.K., who once performed with Ginger Johnson's Afrikan Drummers, a highlife band under the tutelage of the late Ginger Johnson and played at Johnson's Iroko Country Club in Hampstead, London. Steel an' Skin began activities giving concerts and workshops in London schools, expanding nationwide to schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals and summer festivals, including the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. The group combined an admirably brave, open and unironic mix of musical forms with community outreach, non-cynical and untainted by preachiness or "social work." Good feelings from good hearts. 

This EM reissue consists of Steel an' Skin's 1979 debut 12 inch single "Reggae is Here Once Again", featuring "Afro Punk Reggae (Dub)", a fine disco-dub workout, plus some tracks from their 1984 recordings, as well as one unissued track.

The second of two EM Records 12-inch vinyl-only "tribute releases" in support of the Kuzoku film "Bangkok Nites", this time by rap group stillichimiya, local heroes in their Yamanashi homeland. Based on samples from Dao Bandon's biggest hit, the classic luk thung Isan tune "Man on a Water Buffalo" [EM1131CD/LP], the tracks here, including a remix by Compuma, are a grittier, real-world counterpart to the dreamy first release in the series.

TRACKS:

Side A
Bangkok Nights

Side B
1. Bangkok Nights (COMPUMA Remix)
2. Bangkok Nights (Instrumental)

We all know Thailand is a place where magic happens, and sometimes it's a place where dreams come true. Suthep Daoduangmai was an ordinary man from the predominantly rural Isan region with a long-cherished dream of forming a band under his own name, even though he wasn't a musician. After a spell of hard work overseas, he returned home wealthy and, magically, formed one of the most successful molam groups ever, an extravagant orchestra with over thirty members, including twelve dancers, blending traditional Isan instruments with modern Western instruments, and featuring four excellent singers, two male, two female. Of particular note is that legendary singer Siriphon Amphaiphong, along with her sister, made her debut with this band. But perhaps this wasn't all magic; Suthep Daoduangmai had an innate musical sense and a keen populist spirit, enlisting great singers and bringing in master producer Doi Inthanon to help hone his vision. This album, originally released in 1984, was a super-hit throughout Thailand, highlighting producer Doi's entertaining new dance-friendly "lam phaen" style, with lively tempos and street-wise country-meets-city lyrics, as exemplified in the title track in which the two male singers head to Bangkok and show the city folks what's what. Originally released on cassette, plus a few vinyl copies for radio play, this 1984 sensation is available again now on vinyl, and, for the first time, on CD. Feel the magic!

We all know Thailand is a place where magic happens, and sometimes it's a place where dreams come true. Suthep Daoduangmai was an ordinary man from the predominantly rural Isan region with a long-cherished dream of forming a band under his own name, even though he wasn't a musician. After a spell of hard work overseas, he returned home wealthy and, magically, formed one of the most successful molam groups ever, an extravagant orchestra with over thirty members, including twelve dancers, blending traditional Isan instruments with modern Western instruments, and featuring four excellent singers, two male, two female. Of particular note is that legendary singer Siriphon Amphaiphong, along with her sister, made her debut with this band. But perhaps this wasn't all magic; Suthep Daoduangmai had an innate musical sense and a keen populist spirit, enlisting great singers and bringing in master producer Doi Inthanon to help hone his vision. This album, originally released in 1984, was a super-hit throughout Thailand, highlighting producer Doi's entertaining new dance-friendly "lam phaen" style, with lively tempos and street-wise country-meets-city lyrics, as exemplified in the title track in which the two male singers head to Bangkok and show the city folks what's what. Originally released on cassette, plus a few vinyl copies for radio play, this 1984 sensation is available again now on vinyl, and, for the first time, on CD. Feel the magic!

Euphoria indeed. Rie Lambdoll and Mayuko are the two euphoric Synth Sisters, Osaka-based musicians who also comprise Crossbred. “Euphoria” is the duo’s long-awaited second release, following their 2014 debut. This release consists entirely of new Synth Sister recordings, featuring Mayuko’s synthesizers, and Rie’s electric piano and synthesizers as well as her celestial vocals. The euphoria on offer here features equal parts of angelic arpeggios, seraphic sequences, meditative melodies and transcendental timbres, masterfully mixed and mastered by Kabamix. The pieces here, all composed and produced by Rie Lambdoll, combine drifting drones with rhythmic elements sure to appeal to fans of Tangerine Dream; (Terry) Riley-esque meditations melding with psychedelic musings in blissful ease. Available on CD, 12-inch vinyl or as a download, “Euphoria” is yours for the asking. EM Records delivers the goodness.

Euphoria indeed. Rie Lambdoll and Mayuko are the two euphoric Synth Sisters, Osaka-based musicians who also comprise Crossbred. “Euphoria” is the duo’s long-awaited second release, following their 2014 debut. This release consists entirely of new Synth Sister recordings, featuring Mayuko’s synthesizers, and Rie’s electric piano and synthesizers as well as her celestial vocals. The euphoria on offer here features equal parts of angelic arpeggios, seraphic sequences, meditative melodies and transcendental timbres, masterfully mixed and mastered by Kabamix. The pieces here, all composed and produced by Rie Lambdoll, combine drifting drones with rhythmic elements sure to appeal to fans of Tangerine Dream; (Terry) Riley-esque meditations melding with psychedelic musings in blissful ease. Available on CD, 12-inch vinyl or as a download, “Euphoria” is yours for the asking. EM Records delivers the goodness.

Alex Ice & Drink (real name Alex Eisenling), who has been active since the 1970s when young people saw blood just by playing music, became a synth in the early 1980s during the Mexican currency crisis. It was Sintoma who released her passion and anger at the drum machine. Sintoma is a trio of Alex, his wife Cynthia Napalm, and friend Bernard Gonzalez. An underground-smelling electro with an overdose sensation and vocals with a Latin accent melody that Cynthia is angry with are released with a dry Mexican that follows a step toward worsening public order. Inspired by this band, a self-produced indie and underground scene will appear in Mexico. This work is compiled from their album / single / unreleased song. The CD version has 2 bonus songs. Fortunately, high-quality sound is guaranteed by mastering based on the existing master tape sound source.

Alex Ice & Drink (real name Alex Eisenling), who has been active since the 1970s when young people saw blood just by playing music, became a synth in the early 1980s during the Mexican currency crisis. It was Sintoma who released her passion and anger at the drum machine. Sintoma is a trio of Alex, his wife Cynthia Napalm, and friend Bernard Gonzalez. An underground-smelling electro with an overdose sensation and vocals with a Latin accent melody that Cynthia is angry with are released with a dry Mexican that follows a step toward worsening public order. Inspired by this band, a self-produced indie and underground scene will appear in Mexico. This work is compiled from their album / single / unreleased song. The CD version has 2 bonus songs. Fortunately, high-quality sound is guaranteed by mastering based on the existing master tape sound source.

Come join EM Records on another of their spatio-temporal musical journeys. This time, we're off to Madras, 1969 to hear legendary south Indian film music composer/director, T. K. Ramamoorthy's prescient Fabulous Notes And Beats Of The Indian Carnatic - Jazz, a daring fusion of Carnatic music and jazz. Although jazz musicians had been using Indian elements before this time, Fabulous Notes was the first recording in which accomplished Indian musicians adopted jazz elements. And these are accomplished musicians indeed -- veterans of the demanding Indian film music studios, trained in the strict discipline of the traditional Carnatic system, led by the visionary Ramamoorthy, a legendary composer who collaborated with M. S. Viswanathan in providing soundtracks for more than 700 films. The music here is a true Indian music, adhering to traditional Carnatic ragas with their varying ascending and descending modes, using a wide range of Indian instruments in an appealing fusion with jazz instruments, ideas and rhythms. The result is not a slavish imitation of modish Western styles, but a stimulating and surprising new entity; fans of later Ethio-jazz may well experience a frisson of familiarity at certain moments when listening to these recordings. Famed composer Ramamoorthy is also a masterful arranger and orchestrator, giving us surprising vistas of timbre, allowing instruments to come to the fore, supported in appealing combinations. But the true heart of both Carnatic music and jazz is improvisation, and T.K.R. allows these fine players space within relatively brief moments to make their own statements within the ragas, as detailed in the liner notes accompanying this reissue. What we hear is a new meeting of worlds, both sharing a respect for the primacy of improvisation, a love for the intricacies of ensemble-playing, and a fine understanding of the power of propulsive yet sophisticated rhythms. Fabulous Notes reveals a true Indian music, not merely Occidental music with hints of Indo-spice. We can picture the recording sessions, with the musicians seated on the floor of the studio, Indian musicians playing Indian music, playing jazz, playing Fabulous Notes And Beats Of The Indian Carnatic - Jazz. Indian instruments include: veena, gotuvadyam, flute, tabla tharang, tape, conch, ghatam, mridangam, chandai & sudha madhalam, tabla, jalra and bul bul thara, and Western instruments include: bass clarinet, saxophone, piano, guitar, double bass, trumpet, drums and bongos.

A collection of the earliest recordings originally released in the 78rpm SP format by the legendary Carnatic flautist, which show 'Mali' at the peak of his powers. Available for the first time outside of India and a rare opportunity to hear a genius in his prime. A must-have for all fans of Indian music and for all who appreciate the joys of rhythmic playfulness and melodic mastery.

Orange Milk / Noumenal Loom ~ A marvelous piece that greatly updates the view of ambient after the New Age Revival! Takao, a Japanese artist who was influenced by Motohiko Hamase, Toru Takemitsu, Akio Niitsu, Yann Tomita, Sean McCann, etc., released voluntarily from Bandcamp in June this year, and the work "Stealth" that involved peripheral artists and attracted attention The physical version of EM Records is now available!
This work, which took a year and a half to complete, has an unusually short time of 33 minutes with 13 songs, but in a blink of an eye, it is swallowed by the transition of a magnificent time. I am impressed by the outstanding ambient view that looks after Post-Internet-New Age Revival and the solitary soundscape that fascinates the standard of the current experimental scene with a stylish sound that is one or two steps ahead! In addition to the former influenced by Hiroshi Yoshimura, Midori Takada, Nuno Canavarro, Haruomi Hosono, etc., it is said to be a big stone thrown in to push the timeless view of ambient music to the next stage. It should be a work. And even from the point of view that Japanese writers have achieved it, this is a release that cannot be overlooked. Mastering is done by Takuto Kuratani, also known as Ruv Bytes. I am deeply drawn to the artwork that Takao himself shot in Shonan.

Takao‘s new album is a rare attempt to recreate a previously released album. He has re-recorded his debut album "Stealth" and presents it here as a completely new work. This is a 50-minute full-length album with two new tracks, "Moon" and "Seven Sands". This new "Stealth" is subtitled 'Gold Edition'. 

=From the 2018 album commentary= 
“Stealth” is the aptly-titled debut album from Tokyo-based composer/producer Takao. Gliding in under the radar with thirteen slyly sweet and subtle miniatures, these pieces are refreshing light-explosions of gentle harmony and modestly grand melodies. Fans of New Age and tonal minimalism will enjoy this music, but its brevity reveals a pop-influenced aesthetic as well, and the level of care and detail in the arrangements and recording evinces a nuanced, surprisingly mature sensibility. There’s a blossoming brightness and elegant simplicity that even calls to mind gentle ghosts of Satie and Debussy.

The title nods to a 16th-century study of magnetism, and it is magnetism that is at the heart of this release, with Takuji Naka's cassette decks and Tim Olive's magnetic pickups, across five untitled tracks, initiating a dream-logic-imbued semi-narrative flow, in which "out of date" low-tech sound sources are at the service of an ears-forward compositional sensibility.
The use of pliable metals, analog electronics and a battered spring reverb unit, along with the inherent instability of cassettes, results in an atmosphere of subdued unease, over-the-horizon mystery and a burnished, melancholy beauty. Perhaps it is a bit of a stretch to link Naka's career as a temple gardener in Kyoto and Olive's relatively recent involvement in film with the music's austerely organic and eerily cinematic aspects, but there you have it. Recorded in the mountains in the north of Kyoto in 2013, the CD has a strong sense of place, but as befitting magnetism's play of opposites, that sense of place shifts and flickers; time ebbs and returns; the light grows dim.

CD digipak release, with liner notes in Japanese and English by musicologist/writer/composer Wakao Yu.

Tapes, aka Jackson Bailey, returns to EM Records for the first time since 2015’s “No Broken Hearts on This Factory Floor”, in a live collaboration with his pal from Osaka, 7FO, another of EM’s favourite artists. This CD features new arrangements of some Tapes digital reggae classics like “Ticker Tape”, “C20” and “Freak Riddim”, and new tunes including a dubbed-out version of the “Tetris” theme and “Summer Jam”, a jazz-fusionoid weirdo. The smoke is thick on these 14 ferric soul soothers and digital brain bombs, with drum machines and synths lovingly warped by tape echo and spring reverb, melding with 7FO’s fine guitar playing, often heavily effected, all working together to deliver the goods: digi-reggae, dub, ambient smoke, and hints of a new age. Ranked by Resident Advisor as one of the top performances at the 2019 Meakusma Festival, this is one you’ll enjoy, no matter what reality you choose to inhabit.

Gatefold cardboard case
Mastering: Takuto Kuratani (Ruv Bytes)
Cover art: The Tapes Design

Shifting tectonic plates, as two island nations collide! London, UK resident Jackson Bailey aka TAPES, makes Jamaica-drenched lo-fi bass music, a forward-looking mix of dub, dancehall and electro roots channeled and filtered through old-school rhythm machines, synths, spring reverb and delay, recorded with glorious grit on cassette, sometimes in the red, tape hiss intact but somehow sounding bigger, better and beatier than it should, with a sweet analog patina. There's an aquatic feel here on this first full album from Bailey, a rich brew of deep and soulful sunny JA roots, hints of UK melancholy and Industrial smoke, even some icily funky NYC early Electro. With an old island soul and a new ear to the future, this first album from TAPES features six new tracks, plus ten other tracks previously issued on his own label and other labels, including Jahtari, in various formats, all gathered here, with new mixes, newly remastered. With a total running time of 43 minutes, these 16 tracks are available on CD and on double 45RPM 12" vinyl. UK, JA, NYC: all these letters, and more, spell TAPES!

The second Thai music release of EM Records! !! This time, Isan's Mor lam in northeastern Thailand has become familiar with the release of numerous compilations! !! This time, with a different selection, with the cooperation of Maft Sai and Chris Menist, who ignited the Thai music boom also known as Bangkok's underground party "Paradise Bangkok", Tonfado, a master player of a two-string violin called "Saw". Reissue the extremely rare sound source of Fighted! Thor's stunning performance will catch your ears, but of course the release from EM shouldn't end there, and there are many funky tracks that introduce gadgets, noisy percussion instruments, groovy basslines, and more! An exquisite piece that combines the earthy performances of country music with modern sounds using electric instruments at an elegant and high level! Not only for DJs, but also for those who like folk music and those who want to feel relaxed and ethnic at home, this is a highly recommended piece! !! !! !!

Extradition's parent band Tully, who is familiar as the highest peak of Aussie Spiritual Acid Folk! !! !! !! It was recorded as a soundtrack to Paul Witzig's surf movie "Sea Of Joy" in 1972, but it's almost an Extradition rather than a soundtrack! Extradition's nickname band, which uses psychedelic and meditative sounds with a mixture of electro / acoustic sounds and experimental methods, is a masterpiece that nods. It is a superb surf sound that exists with the magnificent sea that makes you recognize the connection between surfing and spirituality. Especially, the warm and slightly nostalgic sound like the sea at dusk is a masterpiece that makes you feel wrinkled and impressed. Female vocalist Shayna Karlin (now Stewart) who decided the Extradition also participated. The best acid folk that you should definitely listen to this summer. The liner by the band members and the director is also very polite and wonderful. MUST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enter a world unknown! Birdfriend is a cassette label run by Japanese musician/composer Koshiro Hino, aka YPY, who is also a founding member of the Osaka band goat. This compilation, available on CD and double vinyl, features 18 tracks by Japanese artists, from 2013-2017, previously available only on hard-to-find cassettes on the Birdfriend label, now available to you, the curious and courageous listener, worldwide on EM Records. Rejoice and enjoy the fractured rhythms and future-now timbres, questing intelligences and D.I.Y. energy, conveyed to you through hand-made synths, custom electronics, synths and samplers. Compiled by Hino, who also provides liner notes and cover art, these Japanese artists share a love of texture, semi-skewed rhythm, simple-yet-evolving structure, and a sense of humour; yet despite these similarities, there is a great variety across this release, making for an exciting and cohesive musical experience.

+ Double 12" set
+ Gatefold sleeve
+ English liner notes
+ Artist bio/photo/discography

Tracks:

Side A:
1. Sofheso - M.N.L
2. Shimetta-inu - Bird Peck at Dead Dog
3. NEW MANUKE - Fastest Motor
4. YPY - BFMIX B-3
5. JMT Synth Pinosaku - Tansun

Side B:
1. Shimettainu - Dog is Surrounded by Birds
2. UNBE - Vector Milk
3. YPY - The Damo UFO
4. Micro Futoshi - Reforest 1
5. Inoue Shirabe - Sleep Talk

Side C:
1. Futoshi Moriyama - Time Limit
2. OPQ - ENT
3. Futoshi Moriyama - Nico Electro
4. H. Takahashi - 4
5. Micro Futoshi - Reforest 2
6. UNBE - 5 Cubic Meters

Side D:
1. Bonnounomukuro - Enter the Exit
2. Futoshi Moriyama - Piano and Sampler

The culmination of big sounds created by the small label with a sense and spirit!
Is this "No New York" in Japan in 2020? Is it "Pillows & Prayers"? No, it's not like that. Visit the first label compilation of "Birdfriend", a sublime (reckless) DIY label run by YPY / goat's Koshiro Hino. When you hear this, you want to create asexually!

"It's too experimental and challenging to release, but there are still many great ones" (by Koshiro Hino)

Birdfriend, a label of Koshiro Hino (YPY / goat) who continues to release DIY music of electronics and self-made remodeled musical instrument creators based on a thorough writer's standard of choosing by sound instead of name. From the start in 2013, DIY handmade with enthusiasm, patience and sincerity, special personalities such as Bonno Nomukuro, UNBE, Futoshi Moriyama, Wet Dog, NEW MANUKE, OPQ, Inoue Shirabe, JMT Synth, H. Takahashi, Sofheso・ Dropped into a cassette and released 38 original works to date. Overcoming various problems, we made 5,000 pieces!

Birdcage's first label compilation, "Bird Cage," was an attempt to put these Birdfriend friends in one place by abusing Hino's authority. When I forcibly compiled those people who couldn't be edited quietly in the first place, what appeared there was an unexpectedly fresh story! Now is the time to ask the world about the feats (variants) of mysterious bird friends. When you hear this, you will be surrounded by feelings (impression?) That you do not understand, and you will probably want to create asexually!

・ 2 CDs / Jewel case
・ Booklet included
・ Japanese / English notation
・ Artist profile and photo posted

Compiled and the cover art design by Kōshirō Hino
Cover drawings by Yūko Kureyama and Kōshirō Hino
All tracks originally mastered by Bunsho Nishikawa
2nd mastering by Takuto Kuratani
(c) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Birdfriend

TRACKS:

= Disc 1 =
1. Sofheso --M.N.L
2. Wet Dog-Bird Peck at Dead Dog
3. NEW MANUKE --Fastest Motor
4. YPY --BFMIX B-3
5. JMT Synth Pinosaku --Tansun
6. Wet dogs-Dog is Surrounded by Birds
7. UNBE --Vector Milk
8. YPY --The Damo UFO
9. Micro-Futoshi --Reforest 1
10. Inoue Shirabe --Sleep Talk

= Disc 2 =
1. Futoshi Moriyama-Time Limit
2. OPQ --ENT
3. Futoshi Moriyama-Niko Electro
4. H. Takahashi ―― 4
5. Micro-Futoshi --Reforest 2
6. UNBE -5 Ritsumai
7. Bonnounomukuro --Enter the Exit
8. Futoshi Moriyama --Piano and Sampler

The KlapYaHandz label, a long-running labour of love helmed by Sok Visal, has been at the forefront of a revitalization of contemporary Cambodian culture since the beginning of the 21st century; it was the very first independent hip hop label in Cambodia, nurturing an ecosystem of rappers, producers and engineers, male and female, fusing hard-hitting Khmer-language hip hop rhymes with samples of Khmer traditional music and Golden Age hits, propelled by relentless grooves. Returning to his Cambodian homeland after a youth spent absorbing hip hop in France and the U.S., Visal’s energy and focus inspired a new musical generation; his love of Cambodian music as well as hip hop melded with his ear for jazz, funk and soul, and led to the creation of some very cool music from the artists he brought to his label. The 12 tracks on this CD are the very finest from the first decade of the KlapYaHandz galaxy. Hip hop, yes, but very definitely Cambodian hip hop, with traditional and Golden Age musical elements very prominent. Very cool, very Cambodian, very cosmopolitan, and very contemporary, but the past is always present, a love of musical history lighting the way forward.

+ 36-page booklet
+ English liner notes and lyrics
+ Liner notes written by Sok Visal and Sorany Var

Tracks:
1. Rin / Hip Hop [2001]
2. Phnom Penh Playaz / Ride With Us [2002]
3. Aping / Ereva Chanoy [2005]
4. Aping / Sangsa Lek 1 (feat. Dina) [2005]
5. Khmer Rap Boyz / Berk Chak [2007]
6. Kelly / K. E. L. L. Y. [2007]
7. Pou Khlaing / Yeak (feat. Adda) [2008]
8. Yungsterz / Luk Ko Luk Krobey [2008]
9. Khmer Kid / Laut Doch Besdoung (feat. Lisha) [2010]
10. Lisha / Srok Sre [2008]
11. Nen Tum / Dey Srok Khmer [2011]
12. Yungsterz / A yap [2011]

The first and last physical version of the popular signboard series of Ano (t) raks, a label that shows a new trend in Japanese indie pop. City music BREEZE created by up-and-coming musicians passes through the heart.

Anotoracs was established in 2012 "to introduce domestic indie pop artists buried in the net". Mainly for distribution, today's city music was launched, and the talents of the new generation of 2010s such as Shin Rizumu, Miho Tsujibayashi, Navel Suke, and Sodapop were introduced and attracted a lot of attention, so keep an eye on future trends. There are many fans in the UK, US and Europe, and we cannot take our eyes off the future trends, such as the establishment of a new label under the umbrella of a large CD shop and the launch of another label.

This time around the 3rd year since its inauguration, Dai Ogasawara, who sponsored the elite track of the 2014 signboard series "Light Wave", re-selected the song and summarized it as "Light Wave: Today & Tomorrow". This is presented as a current record of what's next, from which anyone can experience what Annotrax calls Indie Pop / City Music tomorrow. The CD version and the LP version have different album appearances due to different song selection and jackets. 2010s Japanese indie pop must-listen!

Also pay attention to the sound that has been greatly reborn by thorough mastering of all songs (including some remixes)!


+ Japanese / English notation with lyrics and commentary
+ Commentary: Ryohei Matsunaga

Launched in an uncertain time, here are 12 tracks from 17 new independent Japanese artists, a physical release from a generation which has an online-release default setting. Not a scene document, not a label sampler, and not a showcase for a collective, this compilation features a selection of artists from all across Japan, selected by ex-Jesse Ruins producer CVN. These songs are snapshots of a sensibility shared by these artists: a love of contemporary electronic pop music, an awareness of melody, and an appreciation of the musical options provided by technology. Not techno or ambient, there is an emphasis on the human voice, with elements of hiphop, trap, EDM and bass music, all subsumed into multiple facets of a glowing electronic bedroom pop gem. Available on CD, vinyl and digital, with English liner notes, lyrics and artist information. These songs are seeds of hope for the coming post-pandemic parties.

+ Quality cutting / pressing
+ Foldout insert
+ English liner notes
+ Artist bio/photo/discography

Tracks:

A1. Dove “Irrational”
A2. Lil Soft Tennis “Feelin’ Love”
A3. tamanaramen “angelnumber”
A4. Karavi Roushi and Aquadab “Tokyoite - Val Kilmer (Love Her)“
A5. valknee + ANTIC “The Best SSS in Life (2020 Mix)”
A6. NTsKi “Labyrinth of Summer (KM Remix)”

B1. seaketa “you”
B2. Menace-nai “Lucky Guess”
B3. lIlI “Nightmare”
B4. CVN “withoutu feat. Itaq”
B5. SATOH “MLC”
B6. Le Makeup “Ray”

EM Records again shines the spotlight on legendary Thai producer Surin Phaksiri in this second edition of his classic productions from the 1960s-80s. The first edition, released in 2019, focused on his innovative productions in the luk thung (*1) style. This 2022 release features his stellar, glowing molam (*2) gems from the 60s-80s, drawn mainly from his golden era in the late 70s and early 80s. Surin Phaksiri is a highly esteemed figure in Thai music, rooted deeply in his native region of Isan in northeast Thailand, a producer with a deep respect for the traditional artistry of his culture, yet always moving forward, looking outward, listening ahead. The molam style of Thai music showcases the voice; indeed, the genre’s name means “expert singer”, and Thailand is blessed with an abundance of experts, singers with amazing control, grace, vitality and finesse. This collection of 22 songs (18 only for digital download) features 15 singers, ranging from venerated legends to unjustly unheralded masters of the art. These songs were recorded and released after the era of the 7-inch single; with the advent of the cassette boom in Thai music, most producers adopted a quantity-over-quality conveyer belt production style, churning out soundalike material to fill the expanded length of cassette tape. Phaksiri resisted these tides and continued to work with a single-song mindset, tailoring each production’s instrumentation and arrangement to precisely fit each singer and song. This care and integrity can be clearly heard in this sweetly groovy collection. These gems, originally released on 7-inch vinyl, are all first-time official reissues, a project years in the making. Compiled by Soi48, who also provide liner notes. Cover art by Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48). 

Footnotes: 
1) Luk thung: A musical genre whose name means ʻcountry personʼs songʼ or ʻchildren of the fieldʼ . The name became established in the latter half of the 1960s and now has the status of a national genre of popular song unique to Thailand. The lyrics of luk thung songs deal mainly with the rural idyll, comparisons between the city and the countryside, life in the big city and current affairs. There are certain typical traits to the music, but no official musical form. 

2) Molam: "mo" is an expert and "lam" is a kind of performance art where the artist tells a story using tonal inflexions. In other words, the term molam refers to both the singer and art form. Molam pieces are not strictly speaking "songs". 

EM Records again shines the spotlight on legendary Thai producer Surin Phaksiri in this second edition of his classic productions from the 1960s-80s. The first edition, released in 2019, focused on his innovative productions in the luk thung (*1) style. This 2022 release features his stellar, glowing molam (*2) gems from the 60s-80s, drawn mainly from his golden era in the late 70s and early 80s. Surin Phaksiri is a highly esteemed figure in Thai music, rooted deeply in his native region of Isan in northeast Thailand, a producer with a deep respect for the traditional artistry of his culture, yet always moving forward, looking outward, listening ahead. The molam style of Thai music showcases the voice; indeed, the genre’s name means “expert singer”, and Thailand is blessed with an abundance of experts, singers with amazing control, grace, vitality and finesse. This collection of 22 songs (18 only for digital download) features 15 singers, ranging from venerated legends to unjustly unheralded masters of the art. These songs were recorded and released after the era of the 7-inch single; with the advent of the cassette boom in Thai music, most producers adopted a quantity-over-quality conveyer belt production style, churning out soundalike material to fill the expanded length of cassette tape. Phaksiri resisted these tides and continued to work with a single-song mindset, tailoring each production’s instrumentation and arrangement to precisely fit each singer and song. This care and integrity can be clearly heard in this sweetly groovy collection. These gems, originally released on 7-inch vinyl, are all first-time official reissues, a project years in the making. Compiled by Soi48, who also provide liner notes. Cover art by Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48). 

Footnotes: 
1) Luk thung: A musical genre whose name means ʻcountry personʼs songʼ or ʻchildren of the fieldʼ . The name became established in the latter half of the 1960s and now has the status of a national genre of popular song unique to Thailand. The lyrics of luk thung songs deal mainly with the rural idyll, comparisons between the city and the countryside, life in the big city and current affairs. There are certain typical traits to the music, but no official musical form. 

2) Molam: "mo" is an expert and "lam" is a kind of performance art where the artist tells a story using tonal inflexions. In other words, the term molam refers to both the singer and art form. Molam pieces are not strictly speaking "songs". 

In the Thai music series of EM + Soi48, the of Surin Park Siri, a living legend of the Thai music world, appears. Surin, who is a musician comparable to Coxsone Dodd, Ryoichi Hattori, Phil Spector, Theo Macello, etc., has the nickname "King of International Song", which is the national national of Thailand introduced this time. It was attached from a group of works produced by him in Music Luke Thun (* 1). Luk Thung is a genre where the subject of singing = lyrics is important, and as long as it is guaranteed, music can be anything. The point is, it should be fun! It has a greedy omnivorous nature, and the one who in its avant-garde is Surin Park Siri.

Born in Isan, northeastern Thailand, he is an inventor-like producer who has often sent out cutting-edge (metamorphic) killer that will be the flagship of Thai pop producers, and is a great man who has developed Thai music by himself. A genuine record man who wants to do something different than sell, and a living music library that has seen the rise of Thai music with a solid critique.

This time, we selected 12 unscrupulous mixed songs that insist on the true from the many Luk Thung songs that Dr. Surin worked on. As a result, this is the royal road Luk Thung that appointed big Lao singers such as Plain Prom Dane and Waiphot Phetsuphant! From the Laotian hymn, Bollywood tune, an original version of Kawao Siantone's Ganja tune and cover song sampled in Juu's "New Luk Thung", "Soran Bushi" sequel and Kyu Sakamoto's song (??) Covers of Japanese folk songs and songs that are irresistible to Japanese fans, suspicious and exotic Indian Luk Thung, Thai funk prototype in collaboration with ally Samai Ornwon, super DOPE Leh (* 2) and Ramwon (*) It became the Luk Thung entertainment comprehensive catalog called 3).

If Juu & G. Jee's "New Luk Thung", which sings "new" "Luk Thung", is the Luk Thung , this work collection of Surin Park Siri is a sound source collection of Luk Thung . If you check this, "New Luk Thung" will shine another shine while revealing what Luk Thung is.

All with translations this time as well. The commentary is of course Soi48.

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* Note
1) Luk Thung: A music genre that means "country child" or "country song". Song music that was established in the mid-1960s and is now inherited as Thai national music. Emphasis is placed on lyrics. It is highly omnivorous because there is no specific music format.

2) Leh: A Thai-specific genre in which Buddhist scriptures have been converted into songs through the preaching of monks. Singers who can improvise with limited syllables are respected because they require a high level of skill in the storytelling art.

3) Ramwon: Music with a strong character of creative folk songs established by the Thai government in the 1940s to raise national prestige. It was popular among the working class because of its characteristic ring dance like Japanese Bon Odori. There are two meanings and usages, one is the melody of Thai folk songs reorganized into Western music style, and the other is dance music called Ramwon regardless of genre.

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Song selection / commentary: Soi48
Mastering: Takuto Kuratani (Ruv Bytes)
Binding design: Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48)

CD version: Normal jewel case / 28-page booklet included
Japanese / English liner / Complete translation

TRACKS:
01. Bupper Saicheon "Deliver love in the wind"
02. Smit Thatcha Tape "Hunger for Love"
03. Kawao Cyantone "Simulation of a new house"
04. Banchop Charon Pawn "Don't talk anymore"
05. Liam Darah Noi "Pounding"
06. Kawao Cyantone "Cannabis Bamboo"
07. Bupper Saichon "Show me on foot"
08. Danchai Sontaya "I want to die"
09. Dam Danspan "Ripe Love"
10. Prune Prom Dane "Persuade the Child of the Mekong River"
11. Smary Saen Sotto "Sakura is waiting for you"
12. Waiphot Phetsuphant "Rum along the rice field"