I received this e-mail and wanted to share:
“My name is Richard. I am a DJ, label manager and producer from Stockholm. I came across your blog and wanted to share some interesting music stories and my label ”Cambodian Soul Sounds” that re-releases unheard cambodian psych-rock-soul from the 60´s and 70´s.
Unfortunately, as you may know, all the musicians from this time where executed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975, and the Cambodian music scene vanished. Even listening to this wonderful music under the Pol Pot regime would have got you killed. Almost every record and tape was destroyed by soldiers during the genocide. Some brave people smuggled out original recordings. And even up to this date you can find hidden recordings stored in the homes of exile Cambodians. In 2008 (I think) 200 new songs by singer Sinn Sisamouth were found in an apartment in Paris. Hidden and unheard since the dark years of Cambodia.
When I heard this music for the first time I instantly knew I needed to be a part of it. I want to spread it to the world and want to share the sounds and stories of this super cool era in Cambodia. But also tell the stories about the deeply tragic ending of everything.
When I was travelling in Phnom Penh last time, I actually got hold of some recordings that I brought with me back home. The audio quality was really poor, but I fixed it up in the studio to make the sound to be playable at loud DJ volumes. Added warmth and eq and mastered it again and released the first compilation ”Cambodian Soul Sounds Vol I”. I needed a place to tell the back stories about this music so I made a Facebook page with the same name where I share stories and happenings around old Cambodian psych/rock/soul music.
https://www.facebook.com/cambodiansoulsounds
The 25th of March. The Vol II compilation will be out. However I´ve set up a ”secret” bandcamp page with the tracks out for early bird purchase now already. Pretty exclusive. Every sale from these tracks is going to charity. I´ve decided to donate everything to Cambodian Childrens Fund. So by buying these wonderful tracks, you can also help make a change.
The Bandcamp link is
https://cambodiansoulsounds.bandcamp.com/releases
Fisrt com is available on Juno Download
http://www.junodownload.com/products/cambodian-soul-sounds-vol-1/2474848-02/
And I just uploaded a mixtape of 100% Cambodian psych on my Soundcloud. It contains tracks from the upcoming compilation and other rare stuff as well. A nice link.
https://soundcloud.com/richardrossa/richard-rossa-cambodian-soul-sounds-mixtape-ii “.
What can I say, support the good cause!