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Saigon Rock & Soul: Vietnamese Classic Tracks 1968-1974

It might be hard to believe, in an age when apparently every sonic cranny has been explored, but this is the very first compilation of retro Vietnamese Rock, Pop and Soul available in the West. It covers a crucial time in Vietnamese (and international) history through the later war years of 1968-74, a time when the young Vietnamese population were constantly exposed to American threads of Rock (acid, psychedelic, 'n Roll, Surf Beat etc.), Motown soul hits and the electric Funk of James Brown, continuing a long tradition of assimilating Tan Nhac - or Modern Music - into their cultural life which had existed ever since French collonial times in the 19th C. Around '68, with one ear on The Beatles, and another on the Rolling Stones they created uniquely fascinating hybrids of their own, augmenting British and American rock to their own tastes. The songs deal with typical topics of love and life, supplemented with ever-present War issues and often all at once. All the tracks were recorded in makeshift studios and even on U.S. facilities while the war blazed on around them, before they were released by a handful of Saigon record companies on 45s and cassette. The fact that much of this has remained unheard on this side of the world is largely due to the quick and disposable nature of Asian pop consumption, where products are created and digested and disposed of in such a manner that makes it seriously difficult, albeit more intriguing, to unearth and discover their cultural history from an outside perspective. Praise be to Sublime Frequencies and most specifically Mark Gergis for going to the effort of collating these tracks, and presenting them so lovingly in a 2LP heavy gatefold, full colour sleeve with extensive liner notes! You know these won't be around for long so make your move or forever hold yer piece!