This collection of 12 luk thung (1) songs from the 1960s-80s, all produced by Surin Phaksiri, is a superb showcase of cross-genre/multi-national fertilization, with Latin, jazz, western pop, Indian and Japanese music seamlessly melding with the musical world of Isan (northeast Thailand), which is strongly rooted in Laotian culture. Esteemed producer Surin Phaksiri, an Isan icon, always strove to drive Thai music forward, with innovative techniques and open ears, introducing international elements as well as Lao influences, including the use of the khaen. Most of the singers here, all famed and respected, have Lao roots, and it is predominantly through music that the Isan Lao-Thai culture has entered the Thai national consciousness. These lovely and joyous songs are, for the most part, previously unavailable outside of Thailand; more than half are first-time reissues. The wide range of songs here includes covers of Japanese folk and pop songs, a paean to marijuana, proto-Thai funk, a ramwong-style (2) dance tune, a cover of a Bollywood classic, some straight-ahead luk thung, a unique Indian-style luk thung, and a gorgeous answer song to a movie hit. This array of gems, compiled by Soi48, who also provide the liner notes, is available on CD, vinyl and digital download, with English notes and lyrics.

Footnotes:

1) Luk thung: A musical genre whose name means ‘country person’s song’ or ‘children of the field’. 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) Ramwong: A unique form of Thai dance music, fostered as a means of promoting national pride and unity. Similar to Japanese Bon Odori, participants form a circle and dance together. The term can refer to the particular style of music, or the actual dance.

Mastering: Takuto Kuratani (Ruv Bytes)
Cover art: Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48)
Liner notes: Soi48

LP version: An insert / English liner notes & lyrics

TRACKS:
A1. Buppa Saichon “Send My Love on the Wind”
A2. Sumit Satchathep “Starved of Love”
A3. Kawao Siangthong “New Home Simulation”
A4. Banchop Charoenporn “Please Don’t Say Anymore”
A5. Riam Daranoi “I Get Excited”
A6. Kawao Siangthong “Bong Ganja”

B1. Buppa Saichon “Watch Me Walk”
B2. Danchai Sonthaya “I Want to Die”
B3. Dam Dansuphan “Ripe Love”
B4. Phloen Phromdaen “Seducing a Mekong River Girl”
B5. Sumalee Saengsot “The Cherry Blossom is Waiting for You”
B6. Waiphot Phetsuphan “Lam by the Rice Fields”