Various - Saigon Rock & Soul: Vietnamese Classic Tracks 1968-1974

The long-awaited foray into the Vietnamese rock, pop and soul sound of the late 1960s and early 1970s is finally here. Saigon Rock & Soul delivers the goods international retro collectors have been searching for in vain for many years -- and it delivers beyond belief. Every song is a mini-masterpiece, be it heavy acid-rock psychedelia, horn- and guitardrenched funk grooves, or gripping soul ballads reflective of life during wartime. The tracks that form this collection cut a window into a rich musical Vietnamese music scene that has long been obscured, and for the most part, forgotten. As the scope of electrified Vietnamese music from the 1960s and 1970s begins to be revealed, it becomes evident that this was among the heaviest and most eclectic musical scenes of Southeast Asia at the time. These songs tell of war, love and what war does to love. All of them were recorded in makeshift studios and even U.S. army facilities while the Vietnam War raged -- and were issued by a handful of Saigon record companies on vinyl 45s and reel or cassette tapes. Westernized forms of music in Vietnam had appeared during the latter 19th century, and especially during the early 20th century, under the influence of the French colonizers. Tan Nhac (trans. "modern music") always incorporated both domestic and international sounds, and continued to develop alongside Western musical trends. During the 1960s and 1970s, pulp ballads were being recorded by leading crooners of the time who alternated between modern and traditional forms of regional music. When the electric guitar hit the streets of Saigon, Vietnamese renditions of contemporary instrumental trends such as surf-rock, beat and twist soon emerged, followed by some pretty deep soul sounds inspired by Motown radio hits as well as funk grooves brought on by James Brown and his contemporaries.

Literally, most of the music heard here has been brought back from the dead. Artists featured include some of Vietnam's most popular at the time: Elvis Phuong, Hung Cuong, Mai Lei Huyen, Le Thu, Thai Thanh, Giao Linh, Mai Lei Huyen and the CBC Band. This limited edition 2LP vinyl release features 70 minutes of classic original recordings compiled by Mark Gergis housed in a beautiful full-color gatefold jacket with extensive liner notes.

TRACKLISTING:

A1. CBC Band - Tình Yêu Tuyệt Vời (The Greatest Love) A2. Elvis Phương - Bài ca ngông (The Crazy Song) A3. Carol Kim - Cái Trâm Em Cài (Your Hair Clip) A4. Thành Mái - Tóc Mai Sợi Vắn Sợi Dài (Long, Uneven Hair) B1. Carol Kim - Nỗi Buồn Con Gái (The Sadness Of Being A Girl) B2. Bich Loan and CBC Band - Con tim và nước mắt (Heart And Tears) B3. Phương Tâm - Đêm huyền diệu (Magical Night) B4. Lệ Thu - Sao Biển (Etoile Des Neiges) (Starfish) C1. Minh Xuân & Phượng Hoàng - Mặt trời đen (Black Sun) C2. Thai Thanh - Bừng Sáng (Dawn) C3. Bang Chan - Những đóm mắt hoả châu (Fireballs) C4. Giao Linh - Chuyện Tình Sao Ly (A Love Story From Sau Ri) D1. Elvis Phương - Kho Tàng Của Chúng Ta (Our Treasures) D2. Thanh Lan - Hoài Thu (Autumn Memory) D3. Hùng Cường & Mai Lệ Huyền - Hờn Anh Giận Em (Jealousy) D4. Mai Lệ Huyền - Duyên phận con gái (A Girl's Destiny) D5. Phương Dung - Đố Ai (Riddles)

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