V/A- Groove Club Vol. 2: Cambodia Rock Spectacular! 2xLP (Lion Productions, 2010)

"Recorded in raw, bare bones conditions, mostly live and with traditional Cambodian instruments finding their place alongside found keyboards or guitars, the music of the Khmer rock musicians transformed the nightlife of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, and many years later seduced countless listeners around the world with their groovy sound. The rise to power of the anti-Western, fanatical Khmer Rouge in 1975 caused drastic and permanent changes for Cambodia. These years saw social upheaval in the form of massive famines, selective executions and a brutal campaign of genocide responsible for the deaths of an estimated two million Cambodians, many in the notorious “Killing Fields”. Even the most famous and beloved Khmer musicians could not escape. Sinn Sisamouth (“the Emperor of Khmer Music”), Ros Sereysothea (“The Golden Voice of the Royal Capital”), and Pan Ron met their deaths at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. The music of these honoured musicians and others live on in this exclusive collection, assembled with much love and respect for the artists who made the Khmer rock scene so thrilling. The music here is wild and anarchic, rhythmic and undulating, sometimes sweet and lyrical, but always moving. ‘Cambodia Rock Spectacular!’ captures that deep soulfulness ingrained in the best music; and along with its soon-to-be-revealed sister album, ‘Cambodia Rock Intensified!’, it is perhaps the most definitive collection of classic Cambodian rock music to appear on the scene to date." (Lion Productions)

Vinyl only release. Big ups to yellow5 for this 2xLP sweetness. Currently available for purchase at Dusty Groove, Boomkat, Midhaven....



Download Link: V/A- Groove Club Vol. 2: Cambodia Rock Spectacular! 2xLP (Lion Productions, 2010)

Tracklisting:

A1. Do You No Wrong Again - Thra Kha Band
A2. Khnyom Jah Karake - Tet Somnang & Meas Samon
A3. Pros Chang Reiy - Pan Ron
A4. Tonight, Dance - Ros Sereysothea
A5. Gon Som Merl Kon Mdong (Please Just One More Movie, Daddy) - Ros Sereysothea & Houy Meas

B1. Jet Snaeh Theang Nov - Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Sereysothea
B2. Pail Loung Rom (Go to Dance) - Pan Ron
B3. Oun Chong Rom Leng Ning Bong (I Wanna Dance with You) - Ros Sereysothea
B4. Pralkol Sene Eoui Oun Venh - Houy Meas
B5. Srolanh Oun Jea Nich (I Love Mean Girls) - Pan Ron & In Yeng
B6. Yuvachon Yuvatey Samai Tmai (New Generation Youth) - Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Sereysothea

C1. Tgnai Nih Reabka Khnyom (Today My Friends) - Pan Ron
C2. Satt Thee Thuy - Sinn Sisamouth
C3. Saravan Jun Penh Boromey - Thra Ka Band ft Keo Sokha
C4. Srau'aem Dong Steung Songkae - Sinn Sisamouth

D1. Bong Rau Roub Khnyom - Ros Sereysothea
D2. Duang Netra - Sinn Sisamouth
D3. Jomreang Oun Chreang - Choun Malai
D4. Youm Os Tirk Pnake - Pov Vannary

The Echoes of Zion- The Sound of Spirituals (Smash, MGS 27006)

"The Echoes of Zion Gospel Singers have been called "The South's Favorite Sons." This new album of gospel songs, "The Sound of Spirituals," should certainly prove they deserve such recognition. Their inspiring presentation of these selections is like a guiding light in the darkness for those who feel the terrible uncertainty of the times. There is an expression of dedication and great devotion from their fine renditions of these favorite gospel songs that is easily felt by all who listen. You will surely feel your own beliefs strengthened after hearing the great faith expressed in these songs. (Back cover)

An inspired and inspiring 1961 set from the amazing Echoes of Zion Gospel Singers of Atlanta, GA. Knowing from where and when these songs have come, one can't help but recognize their very real context amidst the struggle for Black American Civil Rights: sit-ins, Freedom Rides, church bombings and the forthcoming March on Washington with Dr. King. This is powerful music. Mono pressing.



Download Link: The Echoes of Zion- The Sound of Spirituals (Smash, MGS 27006) 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.

1. When Jesus Comes
2. Who Art Thou
3. Tell God
4. Sun Will Never Go Down
5. Lost In Sin
6. Walk Right In
7. Wilderness
8. Jesus
9. So Good


*Also of note: Here are a couple of great vintage gospel LP collections that have been released very very recently...

V/A Noah Found Grace: "Amazing stuff, never before anthologized! This compilation collects Jamaican gospel music from the '60s + '70s. We guarantee you've never heard anything like this." Now available via membership in Mike McGonigal's new Social Music Record Club. Hint to Portlanders- you may be able to find this record (in EXTREMELY LIMITED numbers) and others from the club floating around Mississippi Records circa now. As I've personally promised Mike I wouldn't post from this LP (he sent me the WAV's himself, and besides- digital copies of SMRC releases are available with membership on their day of release), that might be the only way you're going to get this record short of ponying up $99 for membership- which is worth it anyway. Check it:





One of Mississippi Records' latest LPs is In The Storm So Long (MSR 066) [now available], a rocking collection of raw, electrified numbers from Savannah, GA's prolific Pitch/ Gusman Records, and licensed from the good folks over at Fat Possum/ Big Legal Mess. I have opted not to post a vinyl rip of this one, as all of the tracks appear to be available on FP's 3xCD Pitch/Gusman label retrospective:

The Pitch/Gusman Records Story (Fat Possum, 2010)

Amen.

Asmahan - Les Archives De La Musique Arabe أسمهان

Amal al-Atrash (Arabic: آمال الأطرش‎)...better known by her stage name Asmahan (أسمهان Asmahān), was a Syrian singer and actress. Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, her family knew the composer Dawood Hosni, and she sang the compositions of Mohamed El Qasabgi and Zakariyya Ahmad. She also sang the compositions of Mohammed Abdel Wahab and her brother Farid al-Atrash, a then rising star musician in his own right. Hers was the only voice in Arab music to ever pose a serious competition to that of Umm Kulthum,who is considered to be the Arab world's most distinguished singer of the 20th century. Her mysterious death in an automobile accident shocked the public. Journalists spread gossip about her turbulent personal life and an alleged espionage role in World War II. (Wikipedia)

Although her life was short her influence on Arabic singing will stil be felt for a long time. Whereas Ûm Kalsûm brought classical singing to a perfection surpassing that aimed at by hermasters such as Abû al-°Ila, Asmahan's style of interpretation has enriched Arabic song by opening a window to the music of the Western World, without obliterating the fundamental difference between the two sorts of music. (Asmahan.com)

Seriously sublime stuff. Will definitely be posting more from her as I aquire it. Many thanks to Tabbouche's for this one. 256kbps.



Download Link: Asmahan - Les Archives De La Musique Arabe

1. Aleik Salat Allah
2. Layta Lel Barqi
3. Farraq Ma Beinna
4. Naweit Adari
5. Layali El Bashar
6. Ash'inha
7. Layali El Ons
8. Ya Habibi Ta'ala
9. Dakhalt Marra

Hali Gali Halid- VO-ZDRA (Listen Loud!, 1990)

"HG Halid (Goran Bare) was the singer for the Croatian garage punk band Majke. He also knows his Turkish music. So when a wave of trendy commecialized faux-Turkish folk music swept up Yugoslavia in the early 90s, Hali decided to make a record mocking the trendies, using Turkish melodies backed by a hapdashed punk band. His pal Zdenko pressed up 500 copies of this four song 7" on his Listen Loudest label, which released a wealth of music documenting the Croatian punk scene prior to the Civil War." (Static Party)

Cassette version of this peculiar Croatian punk classic. Strangely enough, a handful of copies of the 7" version of this rare EP have ended up in the hands of Scott Soriano of SS Records.

Hajde Da Se Drogiramo (Let's Do Drugs):


Download Link: Hali Gali Halid- VO-ZDRA (Listen Loudest! 1990)

A1 Samo Nočas Da Zaboravim Tugu
A2 Samo Za Tebe
A3 Hajde Da Se Drogiramo
B1 Moje Srce Zna
B2 Mirela
B3 Ne Pitaj Me

V/A- Music From Saharan Cellphones Vol. 2 (Mississippi + SahelSounds Cassette 2010)

Yet another great cassette compilation of boomin' Saharan popular jamz from Mr. Christopher Kirkley of SahelSounds. Some of these tracks bust out the only passable (non-comedic) use of autotune that I can manage enjoy at this point in hip-hop history. Needless to say, this series and that site are deeply recomended. 2010 release by Mississippi Records. 320 rip by yours truly. Tracks are separated. Enjoy.



Download Link: V/A- Music From Saharan Cellphones Vol. 2 (Mississippi/SahelSounds Cassette 2010)

Aidan Coughlan- III (Self-released, 2002?)

Unreleased is more like it. This recently rediscovered collection of bedroom tracks is yet another reminder of the near maddening brilliance of Aidan Coughlan. I'd imagine we all have that friend who's seemingly boundless creative capabilities manage to shame and inspire you all at once. Well, Aidan is that friend for me. I don't think I've heard better music anywhere than in a 5-person living room when someone hands Aidan the guitar. No hyperbole. Aidan writes songs that I swear I've heard before. They can kill me. I call it maddening because I just can't seem to resign myself to his profound aversion to self-promotion. He's just too great not to make it, but he is no doubt a serious hermit (and also now, a family-man), and maybe that is that. I am dating this collection at 2002, but that is a guess. He lived in Harrisonburg, VA at the time that he recorded this. I'm sure this will be an exciting find for all our friends & peoples from that time & place. Aidan & I have both since settled down in Portland, OR. I am still entertaining the hope that one day Aidan will be ready again to write & record more music. Hopefully some fans of this blog will enjoy this heretofore unknown morsel from one of Portland's best kept secrets. Many thanks to Mr. Nicklaus Combs for pulling this one from the vaults. Even Aidan thought this was lost forever.



Download Link: Aidan Coughlan- III (Self-released, 2002?)

1. Intro
2. Wed to Another
3. Pull the Rider Down
4. Not So Long Ago
5. Until the fire consumes us all
6. I am your only son
7. They Sent a Girl to Comfort me
8. Morning Song
9. I am a machine
10. All Down the Waterside
11. Staines Morris
12. Oh my true Love
13. You don't love me anymore
14. All on another day
15. David's lamentation
16. Three Gold rings
17. The Seasons Round
18. Dame Durden
19. Untitled Piano Piece

Moon Duo- Silver Bells / Winter 7" (Holy Mountain, 2010)

"New holiday themed single from Moon Duo. Erik and Sanae add more lilt to the season than any combination of egg nog and booze ever will. On the B side the duo wrap a coat around the classic "Goat Head Soup" deep cut "Winter." (Holy Mountain)

Pretty great rendition of the Christmas oldie. Looks like WFMU was spreading this holiday cheer way back during last December. Here's my vinyl rip of the limited 2010 holiday 7". MD's Stones cover ain't too shabby, either...Enjoy!

Silver Bells by nicholab

Download Link: Moon Duo- Silver Bells / Winter 7" (Holy Mountain, 2010) 320kbps

A: Silver Bells
B: Winter

Hertsi - Kohina (Sähkö, 2010)

"Sähkö present a pre Pan Sonic production dating back to 1993. The 'Kohina' EP features four of the earliest Sahko productions that we're aware of, time-stamped with the same year as the seminal first Ø release and predating the fateful 'Panasonic' 12". We can hear a blatant precursor to that record's brutal bleeps on 'Oodi sähkölle', an outstanding techno number crafted from skull-boring kicks and gracefully intertwining sinewave oscillations, basically setting the template for the next few years of Ø records. Elsewhere we're witness to the genesis of Pan Sonic's power electronics style with 'Rätinää' piling thunderous distortion onto rugged techno before dissolving into cone melting subbass, and on the title track we peer into the vast doom drone abyss that would be further explored in much greater detail. 'Hidas Muutos' completes the record with an uncomfortably autistic rhythm experiment with skeletal percussion buffered by blasts of noise and drowned in tarry black subbass. This must surely stand as a foundational document of techno history as should be owned by all self-respecting industrial heads - these Hardwax/Sahko pressings don't show up every day, so when they do - act sharp." (Boomkat)

I've long admired Pan Sonic's dark, analog-experimental approach to techno. I find much in their sort-of moody, spacious minimalism to be extremely cinematic. This remastered reissue of the antecedent Kohina EP (1993) sounds spot-on. Definitely recommended if you're not averse to electronic music, and such.

Download Link: Hertsi - Kohina (Sähkö, 2010) SÄHKÖ-004. 192-ish VBR, but still bumps.

A1 Rätinä
A2 Oodi Sähkölle
B1 Kohina
B2 Hidas Muutos

Les Rallizes Denudes- Live and Soundboard 1981-1988

"Although the ultra-mysterious and rumour-cloaked Les Rallizes Denudes/Hadaka no Rallizes existed in various forms from November 1967 to their last gig in October 1996 they are practically unknown in - let alone out of - Japan. Their recorded output is incredibly rare and highly priced and interviews or articles in the music press virtually non-existent. Tie that in with links to radical left-wing politics, extreme sensory assault at live shows and a general revolutionary aura and you have what must be the ultimate cult group." (Noise.as)

Whoa, now! This 10-disc Rallizes bootleg set is a serious behemoth. Eternal props to yellow5 for this fine-quality VBR rip. I'm sort-of wondering if Mojioviolet is the original source. This collection could likely prove to be an overdose for many. If you haven't heard them before, I'd recommend that you start with Heavier Than A Death In The Family- which is pretty much agreed upon as their best recorded work. Here's a pretty decent run-down of that whole album over at Fake Jazz.


Anyhow, I've broken up this joker into two parts. Enjoy.

Download Link: Les Rallizes Denudes- Live and Soundboard 1981-1988: Discs 1-5 & Discs 6-10

1. (00:09:35) - Ice Fire (12/9/87)
2. (00:11:27) - Night of the Assassins (12/9/87)
3. (00:05:08) - (12/9/87)
4. (00:10:17) - Field of Artificial Flower (12/9/87)
5. (00:06:37) - A Memory Is Far (1/18/88)
6. (00:21:31) - Ice Fire (1/18/88)
7. (00:10:20) - Ice Fire (10/2/82)
8. (00:07:08) - (10/2/82)
9. (00:07:30) - (10/2/82)
10. (00:10:10) - Night of the Assassins (10/2/82)
11. (00:22:11) - The Last One (10/2/82)
12. (00:08:23) - Ice Fire (10/2/82)
13. (00:14:50) - Ice Fire (11/6/81)
14. (00:12:30) - Night of the Assassins (11/6/81)
15. (00:13:40) - Love Story (11/6/81)
16. (00:16:06) - (11/6/81)
17. (00:13:06) - Field of Artificial Flower (11/6/81)
18. (00:15:17) - (8/18/81)
19. (00:10:43) - Night of the Assassins (8/18/81)
20. (00:22:40) - (8/18/81)
21. (00:06:10) - (8/18/81)
22. (00:15:46) - The Last One (8/18/81)
23. (00:08:20) - Ice Fire (10/2/82)
24. (00:10:46) - Strong Out Deeper Than the Night (12/24/83)
25. (00:14:37) - Field of Artificial Flower (10/2/82)
26. (00:13:30) - Night of the Assassins (12/28/82)
27. (00:08:08) - (12/28/82)
28. (00:10:23) - Ice Fire (2/18/83)
29. (00:19:00) - Ice Fire (2/18/83)
30. (00:07:20) - Night of the Assassins (3/29/83)
31. (00:08:45) - Field of Artificial Flower (3/29/83)
32. (00:13:23) - Ice Fire (3/29/83)
33. (00:08:45) - Enter the Mirror (2/18/83)
34. (00:07:22) - (2/18/83)
35. (00:11:40) - Ice Fire (2/18/83)
36. (00:13:40) - Love Story/Night of the Assassins (2/18/83)
37. (00:08:12) - Field of Artificial Flower (2/18/83)
38. (00:08:56) - Strong Out Deeper Than the Night
39. (00:12:11) - A Memory Is Far (3/29/83)
40. (00:07:00) - (3/29/83)
41. (00:06:23) - Love Story (3/29/83)
42. (00:08:02) - Strong Out Deeper Than the Night (3/29/83)
43. (00:17:06) - The Last One (3/29/83)
44. (00:13:50) - Ice Fire (8/13/84)
45. (00:10:57) - (8/13/84)
46. (00:18:52) - Night of the Assassins (8/13/84)
47. (00:15:46) - Field of Artificial Flower (8/13/84)
48. (00:10:04) - Field of Artificial Flower (4/30/85)
49. (00:09:12) - (4/30/85)
50. (00:09:42) - (4/30/85)
51. (00:09:10) - (4/30/85)
52. (00:14:46) - Strong Out Deeper Than the Night (12/28/82)
53. (00:08:03) - (12/28/82)

Tyvek- Skyin (Excite Bike, 2010)

"Ten songs by TYVEK recorded in late 2004 on four-track at their home in beautiful Detroit, Michigan. Early versions of some songs, other songs exclusive to this release. Pressed in an edition of 500 copies, in recycled LP sleeves with full color 11"x17" paste-on art." (Midhaven)

A rough early demo put to wax by Excite Bike in 2010- EXBX67. Tyvek rocks. I did away with the extra long pauses between songs; ("Tyvek Trap" & "How's Your Beer?", according to the LP) Some measure of hiss & background noise from a background TV (or radio) that stayed on while recording this session. I'd reckon that fans of this band will likely forgive all that. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.

"Frustration Rock" (Live in Detroit- not the version from Skyin)


Download Link: Tyvek- Skyin (Excite Bike, 2010)

1. This One Or That One
2. Hey Una
3. Future Junk
4. Through Night
5. Frustration Rock
6. Where Were You
7. They're Gone? (*not listed on LP sleeve. This track's name is pure conjecture on my part)
8. Mary Ellen Claims
9. 24 Hours In A Duck Blind (Duck Blinds)
10. Give It Up

(V/A)- Square Wave: Electronic Music 1953-1980

A pretty sweet bootleg cassette comp that I picked up at Mississippi Records last Friday. Appears to be recently compiled, though I'm unsure who's made it. Its a great playlist, regardless. A concise & listenable survey of early electronic squelches, loops and bleeps in the vein of the that excellent OHM box from a few years back. Anyway, I'm pretty down with the whole mixtape revival thing going on these days.

Download Link: (V/A)- Square Wave: Electronic Music 1953-1980 320kbps

Side A

1. J.D. Robb- Rhythmania (1976)
2. Jon Appleton- Chef d'Ouvre (1967)
3. Claudio Rocchi- Tarantella (1976)
4. Erkki Kurenniemi- Inventio/Outventio (1970)
5. Tod Dockstader- #6 (1961)
6. Milton babbitt- Ensembles for Synthesizer (1964)
7. Henry Jacobs- Sonata for Loudspeaker/ Vocal Loops (1953-54)
8. Bell Telephone Laboratories- Computer Speech (1963)
9. Louis and Bebe Barron- Battle with Invisible Monster (1956)
10. Devo- Ugot me Bugged (1975)
11. Bruce Haack- Rubberbands (1968)
12. Raymond Scott- Tic Toc (1964)

Side B

1. Raymond Scott- The Wild Piece (1969)
2. Storm Bugs- Slip Slap (1980)
3. Walter Jepson- Bugs At Large (1967)
4. Morton Subotnick- Silver Apples of the Moon (1967)
5. Cluster- Rote Riki (1974)
6. John Eaton- Soliloquy for Synket (1967)
7. Lejaren Hiller- Nightmare Music (1961)
8. Steve Reich- It's Gonna Rain (1965)

(V/A)- The Rain Don't Fall On Me: Country Blues 1927-1952 (Mississippi Records, 2010 MSR-073)

"Compilation of [mostly] prewar country blues & gospel. Features popular artists such as Blind Willie Johnson, Gary Davis, Bukka White, and Memphis Minnie alongside unfairly less documented artists such as Sonny Boy & his Pals, Lulu Jackson & Willie Mae Williams. Could be viewed as a sequel to their Last Kind Words compilation. Some heavy meditative songs and some dance numbers too." (Vortex Records)

Hot off the record-press. Yet another fine selection of venerable vintage gemstones compiled by those good folks at Mississippi Records. God, I love what they do. Make sure to go buy their LPs. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.





Download Link: (V/A)- The Rain Don't Fall On Me: Country Blues 1927-1952 (Mississippi Records, 2010 MSR-073)

Side- A
Gary Davis- You Got To Go Down
Sam Hopkins- Needed Time
Henry Thomas- Bull Doze Blues
Bukka White- The Panama Limited
Willie Mae Williams- Don't Want To Go There
William Moore- One Way Gal
Sonny Boy & His Pals- Don't You Leave Me Here

Side- B
Eddie Head- Down On Me
Memphis Minnie- Frankie Jean
Texas Alexander- Levee Camp Moan
Bayless Rose- Black Dog Blues
Garfield Akers- Cottonfield Blues Pt.1
Lulu Jackson- You're Going To Leave The Old Home Jim
Willie Johnson- The Rain Don't Fall On Me