Description
The rarest of rare grooves.
Cambodians living under the Khmer Rouge kept hold of this music on pain of death, their small hoards of forbidden vinyl putting them constantly in danger of the "killing fields". That we can even experience this wonderful music is a testament to its power -- and to the power of the human spirit. A bit of a miracle, really.
Cambodian rock music is (rightfully) adored across the globe: the music is wild and anarchic, rhythmic and undulating (in an "Ethiopiques" way, we'd say), or sweet and lyrical, but always moving, and with that deep soulfulness, regardless of actual musical genre or style, that signifies the best possible music. We have assembled what we consider to be the most definitive collection of classic Cambodian rock music to appear thus far -- without later overdubs that confuse the mind, without artificial speeding up of tracks that often has marred similar compilations over the years. What you'll find here are crucial Khmer rock tracks, made available in the best possible sound, assembled with love and respect for the artists who made the Khmer rock scene as thrilling as we find it to be.
There were no deluxe studios for the musicians who recorded the devastating tracks contained on this collection. Nothing so grand. Most of these tracks were recorded live, with traditional instruments finding a place alongside any keyboards or guitars that could be found. And yet, it was these experiments of Khmer rock musicians which transformed the nightlife of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh--and which many years later have seduced countless listeners around the world with their groovy sound. Alas, in 1975 came an entirely different type of transformation: the rise to power in Cambodia of the fanatical, anti-West Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot. Sinn Sisamouth ("the Emperor of Khmer Music"), Ros Sereysothea ("The Golden Voice of the Royal Capital"), and Pan Ron -- all featured on this collection -- met their deaths at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.
*Packaged in a deluxe casebook with a 36-page booklet filled with rare photos and the heart-wrenching stories of the most beloved artists in the Khmer Rock movement.
