Sinn Sisamouth: Groove Club Vol. 5: Sinn Sisamouth Vol. 2 (LION PRODUCTIONS) LP
Been waiting for this field report since hearing about Volume 2 in GC Volume 5! Our correspondent Rich Mudge speaks volumes below:
“Groove Club Vol. 5: Sinn Sisamouth Vol. 2.
Great second volume of archival Sinn Sisamouth recordings released by Lion Productions as part of their Groove Club series. File under reissues done right, as per the following bullet points:
* officially licensed and done with the blessing of Sisamouth’s family
* most of these tracks have not been released since they were issued as now hard to find singles (studio masters were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime - an effort to eliminate foreign influences on Cambodia)
* informative 16 page booklet of photos and liner notes featuring in-depth interviews with Khav Thong Nhot (widow of Sinn Sisamouth) and his granddaughter Sin Setsochhaata, also a musician (!!)
The singles compiled here show the breadth of Sisamouth’s songwriting talent and his effortless shifts between genres, from 1950s crooning to his unique take on 1960s pop and rock sounds, merged with elements of traditional Khmer music. It’s no wonder he was dubbed the King of Khmer Music (or “Emperor of Khmer Music,” as indicated on liner notes on the back of the sleeve). The lightness and joy of the music contrasts with the stories in the booklet, particularly the details filled in by Nhot who recounts the horrors of the Khmer Rouge genocide.
For further details please see b/w revisit the amazing film Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten (2014), which covers some of the political horrors and artistic yearning for self-expression detailed in the Lp booklet as well as in Sisamouth’s career.
A great package laden with history and great music, too.”
Been waiting for this field report since hearing about Volume 2 in GC Volume 5! Our correspondent Rich Mudge speaks volumes below:
“Groove Club Vol. 5: Sinn Sisamouth Vol. 2.
Great second volume of archival Sinn Sisamouth recordings released by Lion Productions as part of their Groove Club series. File under reissues done right, as per the following bullet points:
* officially licensed and done with the blessing of Sisamouth’s family
* most of these tracks have not been released since they were issued as now hard to find singles (studio masters were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime - an effort to eliminate foreign influences on Cambodia)
* informative 16 page booklet of photos and liner notes featuring in-depth interviews with Khav Thong Nhot (widow of Sinn Sisamouth) and his granddaughter Sin Setsochhaata, also a musician (!!)
The singles compiled here show the breadth of Sisamouth’s songwriting talent and his effortless shifts between genres, from 1950s crooning to his unique take on 1960s pop and rock sounds, merged with elements of traditional Khmer music. It’s no wonder he was dubbed the King of Khmer Music (or “Emperor of Khmer Music,” as indicated on liner notes on the back of the sleeve). The lightness and joy of the music contrasts with the stories in the booklet, particularly the details filled in by Nhot who recounts the horrors of the Khmer Rouge genocide.
For further details please see b/w revisit the amazing film Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten (2014), which covers some of the political horrors and artistic yearning for self-expression detailed in the Lp booklet as well as in Sisamouth’s career.
A great package laden with history and great music, too.”
Been waiting for this field report since hearing about Volume 2 in GC Volume 5! Our correspondent Rich Mudge speaks volumes below:
“Groove Club Vol. 5: Sinn Sisamouth Vol. 2.
Great second volume of archival Sinn Sisamouth recordings released by Lion Productions as part of their Groove Club series. File under reissues done right, as per the following bullet points:
* officially licensed and done with the blessing of Sisamouth’s family
* most of these tracks have not been released since they were issued as now hard to find singles (studio masters were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime - an effort to eliminate foreign influences on Cambodia)
* informative 16 page booklet of photos and liner notes featuring in-depth interviews with Khav Thong Nhot (widow of Sinn Sisamouth) and his granddaughter Sin Setsochhaata, also a musician (!!)
The singles compiled here show the breadth of Sisamouth’s songwriting talent and his effortless shifts between genres, from 1950s crooning to his unique take on 1960s pop and rock sounds, merged with elements of traditional Khmer music. It’s no wonder he was dubbed the King of Khmer Music (or “Emperor of Khmer Music,” as indicated on liner notes on the back of the sleeve). The lightness and joy of the music contrasts with the stories in the booklet, particularly the details filled in by Nhot who recounts the horrors of the Khmer Rouge genocide.
For further details please see b/w revisit the amazing film Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten (2014), which covers some of the political horrors and artistic yearning for self-expression detailed in the Lp booklet as well as in Sisamouth’s career.
A great package laden with history and great music, too.”