Various Artists - Classic Productions By Surin Phaksiri 2: Molam Gems From The 1960s-80s

EM Records again shines the spotlight on legendary Thai producer Surin Phaksiri in this second edition of his classic productions from the 1960s-80s. The first edition, released in 2019, focused on his innovative productions in the luk thung style. This 2022 release features his stellar, glowing molam gems from the 60s-80s, drawn mainly from his golden era in the late 70s and early 80s. Surin Phaksiri is a highly esteemed figure in Thai music, rooted deeply in his native region of Isan in northeast Thailand, a producer with a deep respect for the traditional artistry of his culture, yet always moving forward, looking outward, listening ahead. The molam style of Thai music showcases the voice; indeed, the genre’s name means “expert singer”, and Thailand is blessed with an abundance of experts, singers with amazing control, grace, vitality and finesse. This collection of 22 songs features 17 singers, ranging from venerated legends to unjustly unheralded masters of the art. These songs were recorded and released after the era of the 7" single; with the advent of the cassette boom in Thai music, most producers adopted a quantity-over-quality conveyer belt production style, churning out soundalike material to fill the expanded length of cassette tape. Phaksiri resisted these tides and continued to work with a single-song mindset, tailoring each production’s instrumentation and arrangement to precisely fit each singer and song. This care and integrity can be clearly heard in this sweetly groovy collection. These gems, originally released on 7", are all first-time official reissues, a project years in the making. Compiled by Soi48, who also provide liner notes.

Label: Em Records

Cat No: EM1198LP

Format: 2 x 12" Vinyl Compilation LP

Genre: World / Folk / Mo Lam

Released: 25th February 2022

Tracklist:

A1. Lumyai Sungkamani - Lam Phloen A Handsome Guy

A2. Chomsawai Saentaweesook - Lam Phloen Call Me Please

A3.  Thongmi Malai -  Lam Phloen Put A Girl In Her Place

A4.   Kaewta Prayalae -  Kaewta Prayalae Lam Phloen

A5. Chamnian Mitpracha - Lam Ploen Pleas Date With Me

B1. Chabaphrai Namwai -  Lam Phloen No Appease No Love

B2. Chabaphrai Namwai - Lam Phloen Think About Sa-U

B3. Sonthaya Kalasin - Lam Phloen Best Friend And Best Friend

B4.  Homhuan Saksakul - Lam Phloen Young Widower

B5. Phairin Phonphibun - Lam Phloen Let's Go To Kathina Festival

B6. Phairin Phonphibun - Lam Tangwai Phairin

C1. Banyen Siwongsa - Lam Phloen Sakhon Na Khon

C2. Sonthaya Kalasin - Lam Tangwai Gigolette

C3. Somthin Charoenchai - Lam Phloen Folk Song

C4. Chabaphrai Namwai - Lam Phloen Open-Air Cinema

C5. Banyen Siwongsa - Lam Phloen Nakhon Phanom

C6. Sukchai Petch-Ubon - Lam Phloen Before Farewell

D1. Chawiwan Damnoen - Welcome To Nakhon Phanom

D2. Kampun Foongsuk - Lam Toei Ram Wong Romance

D3. Chamnian Mitpracha - Lam Phloen The Story Of Walking In The Forest

D4. Naree Rungruang - Lam Phloen Let's Fall In Love

D5. Kampun Foongsuk - Lam Toei A Promise Of Isan Girl