Various Artists - Groove Club Vol. 2 Cambodia Rock Spectacular! [CD]

Cat. no: LION655CD
Format: CD
Barcode: 778578311223
Release Date: 15 Nov 2024
Genre: World Music

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 felds"

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 signifes the best possible music. We have assembled what we consider to be the most defnitive collection of classic Cambodian rock music to appear thus far -- without later overdubs that confuse the mind, without artifcial speeding up of tracks that often has marred similar compilations over the years. What you'll fnd 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 fnd 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 fnding 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 flled with rare photos and the heart-wrenching stories of the most beloved artists in the Khmer Rock movement.

4 page feature in Oct Shindig on the lost rock n roll of Cambodia

1. Do You No Wrong Again -- Thra Kha Band
2. Khnyom Jah Karake -- Tet Somnang & Meas Samon
3. Pros Chang Reiy -- Pan Ron
4. Tonight, Dance -- Ros Sereysothea
5. Gon Som Merl Kon Mdong (Please Just One More Movie, Daddy) -- Ros Sereysothea & Houy Meas
6. Jet Snaeh Theang Nov -- Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Sereysothea
7. Pail Loung Rom (Go to Dance) -- Pan Ron
8. Oun Chong Rom Leng Ning Bong (I Wanna Dance with You) -- Ros Sereysothea
9. Pralkol Sene Eoui Oun Venh -- Houy Meas
10. Srolanh Oun Jea Nich (I Love Mean Girls) -- Pan Ron & In Yeng
11. Yuvachon Yuvatey Samai Tmai (New Generation Youth) -- Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Sereysothea
12. Tgnai Nih Reabka Khnyom (Today My Friends) -- Pan Ron
13. Satt Thee Thuy -- Sinn Sisamouth
14. Saravan Jun Penh Boromey -- Thra Ka Band featuring Keo Sokha
15. Srau'aem Dong Steung Songkae -- Sinn Sisamouth
16. Bong Rau Roub Khnyom -- Ros Sereysothea
17. Duang Netra -- Sinn Sisamouth
18. Jomreang Oun Chreang -- Choun Malai
19. Youm Os Tirk Pnake -- Pov Vannar