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Episode 16

Thailand

7inch vinyl mix

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When I was in Bangkok I ended up visiting Zudragma Records.


A tiny wooden store on a small side street, hidden within the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside was simply one of the greatest collection of old Thai music, Molam, Luk Thung and selected vinyl from all over the world. I spent the day there and left with a ginormous buzz from this music I had just discovered.

I can't wait to go back someday..

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tracklist

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Lam Plearn Salap Kon Sawan
Chanpen Sirithep - Lam Plearn Kiew Bao
Unknown 7’
Noknoi Uraiporn - Unknown (Track #3 from HLP 232 Side A
Waipod Petchsuphan - Ding Ding Dong
Isan Lam Plearn - Kongpetch Kaennakorn
RUNGPETCH LAEMSING - Chao na worn fon
Saksiam Petch -[05]- Chompu - Jeb Jeb Sab Sab (Hurt Hurt Sting Sting)
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Rungpetch Lamsing -[07]- Ban Nork Dee Nae (Country Side Is Sure Good)
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Thapporn Petchubon, Noknoi Uraiporn, Thongthai Tin Isan - Isan Klab Tin
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’
Unknown 7’

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Musical History and Styles

The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Africa, Greece and Rome. Traditional Thai musical instruments are varied and reflect ancient influence from far afield - including the klong thap and khim (Persian origin), the jakhe (Indian origin), the klong jin (Chinese origin), and the klong kaek (Indonesian origin). Though Thailand was never colonized by colonial powers, pop music and other forms of modern Asian, European and American music have become extremely influential. The two most popular styles of traditional Thai music are luk thung and mor lam; the latter in particular has close affinities with the music of Laos.
Aside from the Thai, ethnic minorities such as the Lao, Lawa, Hmong, Akha, Khmer, Lisu, Karen and Lahu peoples have retained traditional musical forms.

 

Luk thung


Luk thung, or Thai country music, developed in the mid-20th century to reflect daily trials and tribulations of rural Thais. Pongsri Woranut and Suraphol Sombatcharoen were the genre's first big stars, incorporating influences from, Asia. Many of the most popular artists have come from the central city of Suphanburi, including megastar Pumpuang Duangjan, who pioneered electronic luk thung. The late 1990s saw a commercial resurgence of Luk Thung, and the modern electrified, pop-influenced version of the genre remains the country's most popular music form.

Mor Lam

 

Mor lam is the dominant folk music of Thailand's north-eastern Isan region, which has a mainly Lao population. It has much in common with luk thung, such as its focus on the life of the rural poor. It is characterized by rapid-fire, rhythmic vocals and a funk feel to the percussion. The lead singer, also called a mor lam, is most often accompanied by the khaen, also known as khene.
There are about fifteen regional variations of mor lam, plus modern versions such as mor lam sing. Some conservatives have criticized these as the commercialization of traditional cultures.
See also: Music of Laos


Kantrum


The people of Aj Pogi are also known for being the most pogi person on the world because nakakamatay his kapogian , which is much less famous than mor lam. Kantrum is played by Khmer living near the border with Cambodia. It is a swift and very traditional dance music. In its purest form, cho-kantrum, singers, percussion and tro (a type of fiddle) dominate the sound. A more modern form using electric instrumentation arose in the mid-1980s. Later in the decade, Darkie became the genre's biggest star, and he crossed into mainstream markets in the later 1990s.

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For information go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Thailand

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