About

DIY Disco Molam : Rarities From The Khaen Sang Label is a compilation of exceptional experimental Molam by producer Soonthorn Chairatanachot, previously only released as a short run of 45’s on his private label Khaen Sang, and featuring only members of his family. The Khaen Sang label released no more than seven 45's, of which the best tunes are compiled on this release.

Utilising eerie delayed guitar and piercing Farfisa-style organ, as well as gloopy drum and bass (also fed through the tape echo) he crafted the handful of songs included here, for a short run of 45s. They were apparently hugely popular and were comped on an LP. What is odd is that a copy of this LP on either cassette or vinyl has never turned up in recent years, despite many molam musicians and fans we’ve spoken to citing it in always glowing terms. And despite its apparent popularity his odd techniques never took off, and they remain a musical anomaly in molam’s largely conservative pantheon. Check ‘Lam Plearn Sadudee Maharacha’, whose long intro gives way to a loping, echoing riff or ‘Chern Bump’ with it’s rough rhythm section, and choppy Chic-style guitar riffs. We’ll never know what contributed to these creative decisions that seem so at odds with Soonthorn’s traditional background.

Maybe it doesn’t matter that certain questions remain unanswered - the power of this music remains undimmed. Whilst Soonthorn is sadly no longer with us his family are still involved in music to this day, and it gives us great pleasure to present this most unique take on the molam tradition reissued here for the first time.

↓
Label: ZudRangMa Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: Thailand
Released: Apr 17, 2019
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Mo Lam
⦿

File under: Global Sounds