va Shadow Music from Thailand

Shadow Music" was a broad term given to the Thai guitar pop movement of the 1960s and the groups that came out of it -- all under the profound influence of early Western rock and roll. British instrumental wonders The Shadows (as in Cliff Richards & The Shadows) were the origin of the genre's title -- also coined "Wong Shadow" or early Thai "string" music. Shadow records were often marketed as "Thai Modernized Music" which it was in the truest sense. Traditional Thai melodies were given the Shadow treatment -- incorporating rock, surf, a-go-go, exotica, soul, blues, Latin and otherworldly styles of the times. Inventive compositions and instrumental genius meet the occasional odd vocal arrangement and the results range from plaintive guitar and organ-driven lullabies to full-blown electric garage folk-psychedelia! Featured on this collection are a handful of the leading recorded artists from the time; P.M. Pocket Music, The Son of P.M., P.M.7, Jupiter and Johnny Guitar. Throughout the 1960s, these groups forged a unique and highly self-referential Thai sound. This is a one-time pressing of 1500 LP copies and each of these beauties comes in a full-color, heavy-duty tip-on gatefold jacket featuring gorgeous original Thai Shadow LP artwork, and of course, 180 gram vinyl -- so don't sleep on this one.

The subtitle, by the way, is "Full Monophonic Teenblast From America's Mid-60's Garage Explosion." The first CD in the Garage Punk Unknowns Series is crammed fulla mind-meltin' rock n roll magic. These 31 songs rock harder and louder than just about anything else you've ever heard- they're sloppy, exuberant, violent, brutal, and brilliant, more mercilessly fun than- oh, I don't know... heroin (I'm not speaking from experience). Songs of particular note include Fink-Muncx Nine's deranged "Coffee, Tea, or Me," the Teddy Boys' lean, mean, ominous "Jezebel," and the Hard Times' "I Can't Wait 'Til Friday Comes," which is both nasty and hilarious. And then there's the Temptations' (no, not THOSE Temptations) cover of "Hey! Bo Diddley," which starts out as a bit of punk rock a capella before launching into an amazingly catchy rock n roll pound-fest. The End reduce Buddy Holly's classic "Not Fade Away" to its most basic elements: A primal beat and some truly primitive vocals. The King Beez's groovin' "Now," is another highlight, as is the Ravens' schizophrenic "Don't Press Your Luck." There's also the Landels' surf-tinged cover of "The Witch," and the Big Beats' heavy, pummeling "Beware." These are only a few highlights of what is easily one of the best garage rock discs ever assembled. Pick it up and enjoy!

This is the kind of sleazy RnB that would have rocked Bangkok's less salubrious establishments back in the late sixties.Yumm.

1 The Son Of P.M. - Luk Tung Klong Yao 2:50 2 P.M. Pocket Music - Kack Toi Mor 2:35 3 The Son Of P.M. - Koisun Ching 2:20 4 P.M. Pocket Music - Pama Rum Kwan 3:15 5 Johnny Guitar - Mon Du Dow 3:10 6 The Son Of P.M. - Klong Yao 2:15 7 The Son Of P.M. - Taloong Jun Loum 2:55 8 P.M. 7/Jupiter - Susie Wong 1:55 9 P.M. 7/Jupiter - Pone Tala Pone (Indian) 2:05 10 The Son Of P.M. - Lhow Lenum 2:45 11 The Son Of P.M. - Cho Cho Chan 2:30 12 P.M. 7/Jupiter - Sawan Bangkok 2:35 13 Johnny Guitar - Lao Kratob Mai 3:10 14 The Son Of P.M. - Plaeng Yiepoun 2:20
15 The Son Of P.M. - Lum Jow Praya 2:50 16 P.M. 7/Jupiter - Pone Tala Pone (Twee Sak) 2:45 17 Johnny Guitar - Bangkok By Night 2:35

smthld