Compiled by Paul Fisher- long awaited and much needed compilation of some of south east Asia's most pulsating sounds - loogthung, (Thai Country music), Morlam (funky northeastern folk), pop, classical and even an orchestra of elephants make this a varied and rewarding listen.

Makoto Kubota and Blue Asia have produced another extraordinary album, this time centering on the music of Thailand. Many of the tracks have some morlam (northeasten) roots, with the chuggish, almost reggae like rhythms. There's plenty of phin (lute) khaen (mouth organ) and both male and female morlam singing. Blue Asia add keyboards and rhythm programming, but unlike the glossy or cheesy synths that blight some Thai albums, this backing is always sophicticated, cool, original and tasteful. Elsewhere some of the tracks have a more pan-Asian feel, with echoes of past recording locations of Vietnam or Bali. There are some great female singers; the fairly pop but definitely Thai sounding Apple, Lady Nan is more of a lukthung (Thai country) singer, while Chawiwan Damhuen is one of the greatest tradiitional morlam singers.Kubota has great fun with Dub Kornkaen, morlam being ripe for a dub mix.Serves as an exceptional album in its own right but also as a good introduction to the delights of Thai roots music.

Price:   £18.99

A collection of improvised solo performances on northeast Thailand's unique instruments such as khaen, phin and pong lang. Also features morlam, the narrative song of Isaan, performed by the legendary Chawiwan Damnoen.

Compiled by Makoto Kubota to go with the Blue Asia Hotel Bangkok CD. Eight tracks are taken from the excellent tradtional recordings of Thai music from various King Records series. These include phin (guitar) solo, traditional morlam singing with khaen accompaniment, jahke (zither) pong laang (xylophone) and pee (reed oboe). The other five tracks are superb new recordings by Makoto Kubota in Thailand of a small combo playing some sublime traditional tunes. Wonderful.


Price:   £17.99

There aren't too many CDs that give you an overview of Thailand's traditional and folk music, and although lacking in variety this CD goes some way to rectify this. Tracks from central, northeast and northern Thailand, mostly highlight different instruments, such as flutes,(wot) percussion instruments and even a Thai jew's harp. However, nearly half of the total tracks, feature the same performer on the same instrument, the fiddle-like saro. Highlights include a fine morlam track and the hypnotic sound of the sung, a harp like instrument.