The music scene in Cambodia prior to the Khmer Rouge regime and genocide was vivid to say the least. Khmer musicans of the era were influenced by western rhythm & blues, rock n' roll and music from Latin America.  Musicians like Sinn Sisamouth studied these musical styles while travelling abroad, and many Cambodians were also hearing these songs on US Armed Forces Radio during the Vietnam War.
The artists went through pretty troubled and unfortunatly short lives. Breaking family traditions and  social conventions by becoming entertainers wasn´t easy at the time. And even if they never obtained any deep respect from the public, they where deeply loved in and around Cambodia.

The Cambodian rock 'n roll scene ended on April 17, 1975, the day the communists took over Phnom Penh.  Along with nearly all the singers of the 60s and 70s. 

Another story, which is probably not true but should be repeated because it has become part of the myth of Sinn Sisamouth, tells a tragic story of his final moments before being executed.  The story tells us that Sisamouth requested that he be allowed to sing a song, perhaps trying to persuade the guards to spare his life.  He expressed himself as sincerely as possible through his music, sharing his wonderful and unique gift one last time.  The solders, however, were unmoved.  After the singer had sung his last beautiful note, they killed him without mercy.

Phnom Phen, Central Market, 2013-12-29

I told my Tuk Tuk Driver that i´d be back in 30 minutes, and headed into the market.
Inside i met an old lady selling music, nothing special on display, but i recognized one of the faces
on a cover. Sinn Sisamuth, The king of the cambodian rock scene before the Khmer Rouge regime. I grabbed it and the lady looked pretty suprised. Happy but suprised. Told her i liked Pen Ran, Srey Sothea, Leu Thaert.. She laughed, swept the seat on her tiny stool, pointed me to sit down and ran away to somewhere behind her friends market stalls. 

In three minutes she was back with two bags of Cambodian soul, rock, funk from the 60s – 75´s.
Now both of us were laughing and i bought it all.

Listening to this music 40 years ago would have get you prisoned and tortured. Selling it - You and your family probably killed on the spot (if you where lucky). Thats why you still hide it. It takes more than 40years to wipe out the emotional remains of a genocide that killed 25% of the population and there's probably a fair share of crazy people roaming the city with weird ideas on how things should be (as in every city).

Right now these records are piling up in my Studio. Ready to be ripped down, compiled and mixtaped.  In the legacy of the Cambodian rock soul scene i´ll give you the first compilation. Straight from the hot, crowded, fish smelly market in Phnom Phen. 
So crank up the volume and dance like its 1969 again!


VA - Cambodian Soul Party Vol.01

A wonderful cover of the old American folk song originally recorded by Dick Burnett.

Man Of Constant Sorrow (Cambodian Cover)

Another hot Cambodian 60´s Soul Rock gem!

Oun Trov Ka Bong

Some beautiful, melancholic and slow psychedleic vibes on this one! Lovely fusion between cambodian traditional sounds and old folk americana.

Follow CAmbodian Soul Sounds on FB --> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambodian-Soul-Sounds/1439528859612141

Chot-May Majureach / FREE DOWNLOAD

Cambodian Cover of Carol King - Its To late

Huos Haeuy Bong (Cambodian Cover of Carole King - Its To late)

Second edition of the Cambodian Soul Party mixtapes with hot smoking tracks fresh from the central market in Phnom Penh. 

This time i´ve put some more psychedleic soul vibes into it, as well as some less "extreme" sounds to show the beauty in the more traditional sounding melodies. 

As you read this. I am currently working on re-mastering some old swinging cambodian gems for a compilation that will be released to raise funds for orphanages in Cambodia.

For questions, inquiries and comments contact: richard.danielson@live.se

Peace & Love

/ Richard Rossa


VA - Cambodian Soul Party Vol.02

Tracks, stories and compilations highlighting Cambodian Psychedelic Rock & Soul from the 50-70s.

Cambodian Soul Sounds

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