Joao Selva
Onda

Here comes another brilliant rework of Studio 1 classic. It's the melodica dub version of Ernest Ranglin's reggae jazz tune

Saigon Supersound is delighted to present the 3rd and final volume of its pre-1975 Southern Vietnamese music collection. A curated collection of music from Saigon during the 1960s and early 1970s. The music has been restored and remastered in order to present listeners with audio quality on par with its original quality upon release more than half a century ago. The first few songs in this Volume are songs Vietnamese people used to call “Stimulus Music” or “Action Music”. These are songs that borrow vibrant melodies, inspired by the west, performed by the best representatives of this genre. In addition, this volume includes songs, famous in clubs both past and present like “Nếu Anh Về Bên Em” by Mai Hương and “Hình Ảnh Người Em Không Đợi” by Thanh Lan.Many believe that "Southern Golden Music" is just popular music, simply because it "pleases the listener". Volume 3 include melodies most Vietnamese might have considered “unpopular”, but popular with “golden music” lovers. Today, people often call “gold music” bolero music, because this is the most popular style found in this golden era of music. In this volume, Saigon Supersound have selected typical bolero songs like,“Hàn Mặc Tử” sang by Trúc Mai, as well as, “Nắng Chiều” by Lê Trọng Nguyễn. In addition to the variety of melodies, Volume 3 also shows the diversity of genres found in old Southern music by introducing songs that praise the homeland such as “Tình Reo Trên Sóng Lúa Vàng” by Thanh Lan, praising peace in “Xin Cho Tôi Giấc Mộng Bình Yên” by Thanh Tuyền, witty music in “Cậu Cả Lên Thành” by Connie Kim. Volume 3 closes with the song “Xuân Muộn” (Late Spring), performed by Hoàng Oanh. The song talks about the end of a lunar year - a cycle of heaven and earth, the end of sad stories and opens up new hopes for more positive things to come.Finally, the face of the movie star Kiều Chinh is chosen to grace the cover image of Saigon Supersound 3rd Volume. Although she may not have had any direct relations related to music, more than 50 years ago, Kiều Chinh's image appeared many times on the covers of various music sheets. The image of Kiều Chinh was chosen for the mix of Eastern and Western cultures present in her life and career that mirrored the music of that era. These songs, with melodies originating from Europe, the Americas and Africa have been an integral part of Vietnamese music since the 1960s.

Michael Edgehill aka Mikey Melody was born in the parish of Portland, Jamaica. As a youth he constantly raised his voice in song and performing with sound system in the neighborhood community. Known by his sweet voice, his friends gave him the nickname «Mikey Melody». Mikey Melody was influenced by 60’s and 70’s US R&B icons and Jamaican singers like Bob Marley, Sugar Minott, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Bob Andy and Half Pint. In the 1980’s he went to Kingston and was identified early by Lord Sassafrass, who gave him his first recording single “Under Mi Fat Thing” that was covered by many reggae artists. He was then signed by Black Scorpio Corporation which he was a singer on the sound system and recording label. He did songs like “World Is A Disaster”, “Jumbo Mi Jumbo”, “Romance For The Moment”, “Ragga Muffin”, “Unemployment”. He then moved on to Dennis Star Label which he did songs like “Mona Lisa”, “Maranda” and the hit song “Soldier In Town”. Released in 1988 on Dennis Star International records, ‘’Soldier In Town’’ by Mikey Melody is a pure late 80’s dancehall vocal over heavy digital rhythm by Firehouse Crew.

Saigon Supersound Continues… to present more interesting tunes of a musical era that has long been obscured. With the well-received Volume 1, we are very delighted to dig deeper and share with you the beautiful music of a short but significant period in Vietnam‘s history.Much like the country itself, the music of Vietnam has endured many twists. As the result of the Geneva Accords in 1954, Vietnam was divided into two. From the North, the Nationalist forces fought to reunite Vietnam as a Communist State, while the American troops backed the government of the South. This caused a mass migration of Northerners to the South, which includes many Tân Nhạc (Modern Music) singers and songwriters. Often characterized by its emotive, poetic and prolific personality, Tân Nhạc continued to freely develop in the South and progressively vacating from the influences of its main inspiration, French music. In the North, the Resistance music, or the so-called Nhạc Đỏ (Red Music), which promoted socialism, patriotism and anti-capitalism was the only genre allowed on national radio. Tân Nhạc was something new to the South Vietnamese repertoire. Between 1954–1960, the theme of hometown (quê hương) was a main inspiration for many songwriters such as Hoàng Thi Thơ, Lam Phương and Nguyễn Hữu Thiết. The 9th title of the compilation, “Thôn Trăng Mở Hội Trăng Tròn” showcases a variety of images that were often described in this genre: the harvest moon, playful children, old mother…Every recording made in this era is then an organic combination of human experiences, communications and uniqueness. In 1965, the first American troop landed in Vietnam, bringing with them the musical influences of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley… The Vietnamese people quickly integrated it into the repertoire with hope to further diversify the music of Vietnam. Constantly changing and learning from different cultures, the modern music of Vietnam cuts a window into the soul of a Vietnamese person and the country’s history as a whole. With that, we hope that Saigon Supersound Volume 2 would take you on a trip back to the unique atmosphere of Saigon through the many different palettes of music that this beautiful place offers.

An addictive calypso sound, saucy, ballsy, outspoken, but not exactly an atrocity. Emory Cook was an audio engineer and inventor who used his "Sounds of our Times" and "Cook" record labels to demonstrate his philosophy about sound, his recording equipment, and his manufacturing techniques. From 1952 to 1966, Cook recorded, manufactured, and distributed some of the highest quality audio recordings in the world. The 140 titles on Cook Records include European and American concert music, U.S. and Caribbean popular and traditional music, as well as mechanical and natural sounds. Emory Cook ran two divisions of the Cook company, Cook US and Cook Trinidad. Most of the albums recorded in Trinidad were made available on Cook US, though there were some that weren't. Emory Cook sold Cook Trinidad in the early 1980's. He donated Cook US to the Smithsonian Institution in 1990. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is a nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. They are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. They belive that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life thoughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials, a growing legacy that currently comprises more than 3 200 albums and 45 000 tracks.

A classic and essential Hi-Life & Afro Funk album from one of the greatest Ghanaian singers and composers reissued for the first time! The legendary Alhaji Kwabena Frimpong's fantastic rare album was recorded in 1984 in Germany and originally produced and distributed from Hamburg. K . Frimpong was born on July 22nd 1939 at Ofoase in the Ashanti - Akim district, died Oct 18th 2005 in Kumasi (Ghana).He entered right into music after elementary school by joining "Star de Republic" and later "Oko's band" after which he left for K. Gyasy's band where he worked for more than 6 years. As a prolific songwriter and singer, here's the reissue of his amazing album, a modern fusion of Hi-life and Soul . The excellent background is given by the famous Cubanos Fiesta with members of Vis-A-Vis band such as the famous Sammy Cropper on guitar or Slim Manu on bass. Originally produced by Atakora Mensah in Hamburg, this four songs recording is a blend of danceable and spiritual Soul and straight Hi-life. A must-have vinyl of percussive Afro Funk for all the music connoisseurs, Abrabo is a true masterpiece, so hard to find and reaching crazy skills for a decent copy affordable.Remastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery. Pressed on Replika format. Fully licensed by the Alhaji Kwame Frimpong Family.