The music scene in Cambodia during the 50s to the mid 70s was swinging hard! Khmer musicans of the era were influenced by western rhythm & blues, rock n' roll and music from Latin America. Musicians like Sinn Sisamouth studied these musical styles when travelling abroad, many cambodians also tuned in these songs on US Armed Forces Radio during the Vietnam War and got influenced by the western sound.
The combination of styles and culture created a truly unique and psychedelic touch to the vivid rock music of Cambodia.
But...It all ended on April 17, 1975, the day the Khmer Rouge took over Phnom Penh. With many others – the artists where executed or sent away to prison camps to die. Cambodia fell into darkness.
During these years pretty much every original recording and master tape were destroyed. Listening to this music would have got you killed. But thanks to vinyl collectors who risked their lives concealing or smuggle their records out of the country there is still a bunch of them out there ready to be restored and archived for future generations to enjoy.
Cambodian Soul Sounds vol 1 is a compilation of old songs i managed to pick up myself when travilng in Cambodia. Even if the recordings presents a charming distrorted sound, songs where also really low, but with alot of high frequencies cutting through, making it somehow unpleasant at loud volumes. As a DJ and producer, i took matters in to my own hands and re worked the recordings to give them a warmer and more suitable sound for your earphones or the DJ to blast at maximum volume at the local psychedelic soul party. Just as i do.
I am doing this because i know this music deserves a place in the context i am working in - as a Dj. It will help to find new listeners, promote and raise awareness of Cambodia as a whole. However, with its tragic history, this legacy needs to be treated with respect. I am doing this work to rasie funds for project in Cambodia such as the work for music preservation and also to help disadvantage children. The project is 100% non-profitable and every revenue from these track sales or streaming are going straight into these projects.
With this work, the lost musicians of cambodia can continiue to give aid back to their country long after they passed.
So, by buying this, you can dance and make a change at the same time.
You can follow the project on
www.facebook.com/cambodiansoulsounds
released April 24, 2014