Episode 50

Episode 50 originally posted May 20, 2019.

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Tracklisting:

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01) “Khon Khai Khai” by Khon Dan Kwian.

From the album Ai Khong.

Bueng Kan, Thailand.


According to Monrakplenthai, this is:

“classic thai rock music, courtesy of the khon dan kwianband! fronted by "siphueak" isara anantathat, a native of bueng kan, khon dan kwian were among the first wave of prominent phuea chiwitgroups. phuea chiwit or "songs for life" is a genre of (usually) politically engaged popular music, with roots in thailand's 70s protest movement and a musical grounding in anglo/american folk-rock from bob dylan to traffic. siphueak, a veteran of the 14 october 1973 popular uprising and the communist party of thailand, founded the band in 1983 and together with the legendary carabao helped bring phuea chiwit music to the mainstream, blending their international folk-rock origins with luk thung's latin dance rhythms and indigenous melodies. this cassette features their fourth album from 1987. enjoy!”

  • Visit the Monrakplenthai post to find out more and download the album for yourself.

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02) “#5 2018.09.08” by A2.

From the 2019 album 2018.09.08.

Copenhagen, Denmark.


According to the Bandcamp page:

“A2 is Nicklas and Christian from the band Papir exploring different forms of improvised moods and ambient textures. Just bass, guitar and a whole lot of effect pedals. It's really a simple process of jamming, listening and picking out the best parts. A quick organic mix and the music is ready for the interweb!”

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03) “夜の収穫者たち” by 裸のラリーズ (Les Rallizes Dénudés).

From the 1991 album '77 Live.

Kyoto, Japan.

From Wikipedia:

“Les Rallizes Dénudés (裸のラリーズ, Hadaka no Rallizes) were a Japanese rock band formed in 1967 at Kyoto University. The band's style is typified by simple, repetitious instrumental passages, shrieking, cacophonous guitar feedback and folk arrangement. Their discography is made up mostly of live bootlegs, soundboard archives and even a few rare aborted studio recording attempts as they have never officially released any of their own material, although there are archive releases on independent labels such as Univive, Rivista, Phoenix and Bamboo.”

  • Visit a Facebook page for the group.

  • Purchase Les Rallizes Denudes music at Amazon.

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04) “Close View” by Wang Wen (惘闻).

From the 2010 album L&R.

Dalian, China.


The group’s Facebook pages tells us that they are “Post Rock band from Dalian, China.”

  • Visit Wang Wen on Facebook.

  • Purchase the group’s music at Amazon.

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05) “Conch Ain't Got No Bone” by Joseph Spence.

From the 1964 album Happy All the Time.

Andros, Bahamas.


Wikipedia says:

“Joseph Spence (August 3, 1910 – March 18, 1984) was a Bahamian guitarist and singer. He is well known for his vocalizations and humming while playing the guitar. Several American musicians, including Taj Mahal, the Grateful Dead,Ry Cooder, Catfish Keith, Woody Mann, and Olu Dara as well as the British guitarist John Renbourn were influenced by and have recorded variations of his arrangements of gospel and Bahamian songs.”

Fokways says:

“Sometimes one performer's unique style is so compelling that it influences an entire generation of artists. The playing of Bahamian master guitarist Joseph Spence (1910-1984) offers a wonderful example of how one man combined individual inspiration and talent with regional musical traditions to create a seminal guitar style.”

  • Purchase Joseph Spence’s music at Amazon.

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06) “Tekana” by Etran Finatawa.

From the 2008 album Desert Crossroads.

Niamey Niger.


The group’s Facebook page simply calls them “Desert Blues,” while World Music Network expands:

“Among the grasslands of the Sahel and the shifting dunes of the Sahara desert, two legendary nomadic peoples, the Wodaabe and Tuareg, are joined together in the raunchy guitars and haunting voices of Etran Finatawa. As the winds of change cast uncertainty over their nomadic lifestyle, both cultures are at a crossroads. Etran Finatawa reflect on their roots, with a nostalgia and warmth that mirrors the majesty of their desert home.”


Each weekly, you are invited to continue your journey of musical exploration by using our map to see where each featured artist is from. This week’s artists are designated by army green colored map-points. To see previous week’s artists and where they reside, please visit our maps page.

Episodes 41-50