Psychedelic Freakout From Japan: Mainliner, Musica Transonic, High Rise

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High Rise - High Rise II (1986)

High Rise - Disallow (1996)

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Musica Transonic - Introducing Musica Transonic (1995)

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Mainliner - Mellow Out (1995)

Ros Sereysothea & Sinn Sisamouth - Cambodian Psych Out

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Jean-Pierre Massiera & Others

Jean-Pierre Massiera - Psychoses Freakoid (1963-1978)

Weird and wild work from producer/performer Jean-Pierre Massiera -- the force behind Les Maledictus Sound, and an even crazier talent on his own! The tracks on this first volume are completely over the top -- a psychotic, psychedelic blend of fuzzy guitars, rough percussion, spare electronics, and occasional funky touches -- sometimes topped with some even weirder vocals that further trip out the sound, and push things into territory that almost makes the Cherrystones compilations sound mainstream. Massiera clearly has plenty of skills in the studio -- as the production here is as imaginative as the vocals and instrumentation -- and work on the set is by a variety of artists, with titles that include "Bizarre" by Les Chats, "Space Woman" by Herman's Rocket, "Space Inferno" by Venus Gang, "Engins Bizarres Et Gens Etranges" by Basile, "La Turbie Piranhienne" by Piranhas, "Psychose" by Les Monegasques, "Jingle Jungle" by Starlights, and "Dali Court" and "Plus Jamais Ca" by Jean-Pierre himself!

Jean-Pierre Massiera - Psychoses Discoid (1976-1981)

Lots of the music here is a strange blend of disco rhythms, spacey production, and echoes of Massiera's fuzzier past -- tied together in ways that are surprisingly compelling, and which almost make the album a clubby version of some of the rock break compilations we've stocked over the years! There's lots of surprising breaks and standout funky moments here -- but even the more conventional club tracks are great too -- and show Massiera to be one hell of a mighty talent in the studio. The whole thing's an amazing discovery in sound -- filled with rare tracks that include "Love To Fly" by Venus Gang, "Dies Irae Fuse 80" by Barbed Wire, "Mao Mao" by The Starlights, "Daddy & Mama" by J Joyce & Co, "Sad My Love" by Barbara Potts, "Ma Jackson" by Mickey & Joyce, "Indian Planete" by Herman's Rocket, "Love Like This" by Human Egg, "Toi Qui Reve De Baisers" by Sex Convention, and "I Got To Bahia" by Brasa Brasil & Helena. (Dusty Groove)

Frank Chickens - We Are Frank Chicken (1984)

from nippop:

"Frank Chickens, in their own oddball way, managed to become one of the most successful Japanese artists ever on an international scale, but somehow seem to barely rate a footnote in most Japanese music histories. Perhaps they are swept under the carpet because people still don’t know quite to make of them. The group was basically two Japanese women with a wicked sense of humor living in England. It could be argued that they were comedians who sang, more than singers who did comedy. Their songs largely made fun of how foreigners perceive Japanese people, but also included a few jabs at modern Japanese culture as well. The group was also political and feminist leaning. Frank Chickens was formed by Kazuko Hohki and Kazumi Taguchi in 1982. Their first single in 1984 was a double sided hit “We Are Ninja (Not Geisha)” b/w with a cover of “Fujiyama Mama”, originally a hit for Wanda Jackson in 1958. The two were not part of any established music or comedy businesses in Japan or the UK, and gleefully went on their satirical ways without regard to any norms. Their debut We Are Ninja (Not Geisha) became a minor hit and was later picked up by BMG. While not as big in the States, their music also found its way to US college radio and strong import sales. Japan, meanwhile, did not know what to make of them, as they were unknown in their homeland at the time, and was not quite sure who they were making fun of. John Peel was amongst the group’s supporters, and he put their follow-up single “Blue Canary” into his Festive Fifty on his BBC show. Eventually the pair landed their own TV show, which was basically a chat show, but had an ending segment during which guests sang karaoke. Frank Chickens also played concerts around the UK, most famously as part of the Red Wedge movement, and opened a few dates for The Smiths. The novelty of the group, however, wore off after awhile, and by 1986 their star had dropped a few ranks. Nonetheless, the Frank Chickens still carried on. In 1987, after just two albums, a greatest hits album was released. Taguchi left the group, and was replaced by Atsuko Kamura, and then Chika Nakagawa, and then by something of a revolving cast with Kazuko Hohki the only constant. Their double sided single of 1989, “Do The Karaoke” b/w “Jackie Chan” caused a small blip up in popularity, but only momentarily. Eventually some of their material was also released in Japan, but not until things were already on the slide, and little became of their career there. Kazuko Hohki continues to live in the UK and does a one woman multimedia show, also working in in various other capacities in the arts."

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"Get Chickenized" album on
Dalston Oxfam Shop

Chlangden Production - Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Sereysothea and others

Thanks to Chhanrithy
and Yawning and Balafon blog!

Chlangden Vol. 004
Chlangden Vol. 005
Chlangden Vol. 007 (Meas Toeuk 8)
Chlangden Vol. 009
Chlangden Vol. 010
Chlangden Vol. 012 (Chamrieng Tumneub Chamros)
Chlangden Vol. 019 (Kamlos Lane Krohorm)
Chlangden Vol. 020 (Movie Soundtrack/Chamriang Et Priang Tuk which roughly translates to The Song Without Any Preparation)
Chlangden Vol. 025 (Allo Oun Allo Bong)
Chlangden Vol. 027 (Anouksavry Battambang No. 2)
Chlangden Vol. 028 (Samros Koh Kong)
Chlangden Vol. 029 (Chamrieng Voyho No. 04)
Chlangden Vol. 030 (Chab Meas)
Chlangden Vol. 033 (Krou Kmeng Thnam Chnang)
Chlangden Vol. 037 (Kamrorng Phourng Tkol)
Chlangden Vol. 038 (Chamrieng Pov Sipho)
Chlangden Vol. 036
Chlangden Vol. 039 (Voyho No. 03)
Chlangden Vol. 041 (Rieb Ka Chos Bong) Ros Serey Sothea
Chlangden Vol. 043 (Kamlos HONDA Kanha PC) Sinn Sisamouth
Chlangden Vol. 045 (Soundtrack) Sinn Sisamouth
Chlangden Vol. 046 (Movie Soundtrack)
Chlangden Vol. 047
Chlangden Vol. 048 (Preah Moha Moklean)
Chlangden Vol. 049 (Tumnign Sneha)
Chlangden Vol. 051 (Soundtrack)
Chlangden Vol. 054 (Nissai Kam)
Chlangden Vol. 055 (Neary Sok Kley)
Chlangden Vol. 057
Chlangden Vol. 058 (Movie soundtrack)
Chlangden Vol. 060
Chlangden Vol. 061
Chlangden Vol. 062
Chlangden Vol. 063
Chlangden Vol. 064
Chlangden Vol. 066 (Romvong)
Chlangden Vol. 068 (Ros Cham Chamloeuy)
Chlangden Vol. 070
Chlangden Vol. 071 (OH! YE YE)
Chlangden Vol. 073 (Mlub Po Bakheng)
Chlangden Vol. 074
Chlangden Vol. 075 (Oh! Pseng Barey)
Chlangden Vol. 076
Chlangden Vol. 082
Chlangden Vol. 085 (Movie Sountrack_Tum Teav)
Chlangden Vol. 091
Chlangden Vol. 092 (Kamlos Kromom Hoeu Ha)
Chlangden Vol. 095 (Yub Mign Oun Nhornhim)
Chlangden Vol. 096
Chlangden Vol. 105 (Pjoeu Korng Chorng Dai)
Chlangden Vol. 109 (Chamka Samrong_Huy Meas)
Chlangden Vol. 111 (Reahou Chab Chan)
Chlangden Vol. 111 (Reahou Chab Chan)
Chlangden Vol. 113 (Tngay Nis Min Chole Pteas Teh)
Chlangden Vol. 115 (Toek Pnek Neang Pos Champou Vorn soundtrack)
Chlangden Vol. 119 (Polto Aphop)
Chlangden Vol. 121 (Lorlork Gny Chmole)
Chlangden Vol. 123 (Pteas Psar 5 Knorng)
Chlangden Vol. 125
Chlangden Vol. 127 (Than Sour Ney Mnous Kvak)
Chlangden Vol. 131
Chlangden Vol.134 (Jass Kaong Knong Srawlang Knear Mdong Teat - roughly translates to "Old Age Let's Love Each Other Once Again)
Chlangden Vol. 135 (Chamriang Pheapyun "aka Movie Soundtracks)
Chlangden Vol. 136 (Chamriang Tumnurp Jomross "basically says Popular mixed variety songs)
Chlangden Vol. 149 (Movie soundtrack_ Kampong Thom Chumrum Chet)
Chlangden Vol. 165 (Ber Ngor'nget Kom Pler - translates to "If it gets dark don't be bright)
Chlangden Vol. 171
Chlangden Vol. 177 (Skol Teh Klen Min Ban Klourn_ Meas Hok Seng)
Chlangden Vol. 181
Chlangden Vol. 183
Chlangden Vol. 187
Chlangden Vol. 189 (Chantrea Reas Hoeuy)
Chlangden Vol. 191 (Lea Oun Tov Cbang)
Chlangden Vol. 197 (Romvong)
Chlangden Vol. 205
Chlangden Vol. 207 (Kandal Dourng Chet) Sinn Sisamouth
Chlangden Vol. 209 (Movie Soundtrack_ Ar Sach Choun Mday)
Chlangden Vol. 213 (Knorng Phnom Anouksavry) Sinn Sisamouth
Chlangden Vol. 293 (Chivit Kamakor Tbong) Sinn Sisamouth

Baikal - Baikal (2007)

from tinymixtapes:

Every time I sit down to digest psychedelia in all its glory, I always question the Grateful Dead fascination of each crop of collegiate hippies that meanders in and out of the U.S. educational system. By embracing a band and ethos their parents probably hugged tightly during their formative years, they fail to reach the hippie Zen that they seem enthralled to reach. This isn’t a knock on the Grateful Dead or necessarily their fan base, but just an observation. You’d think just as often as someone slips these nu-hippies acid, they could just as easily slip them an Acid Mothers Temple or Sunburned Hand Of The Man LP. I know the world of underground music is littered with rare, limited, often hard-to-find shit, but let’s be honest: if a subculture can embrace bittorrent technology to trade live Phish and Dead shows, you’d think they’d have the where-with-all to stumble across a slow burner such as Baikal’s self-titled disc. Or perhaps they have and just hold some grudge against Bardo Pond members for scarfing down the last fat-free granola tofu bar without notice.

And yes, Baikal might as well be named Another Bardo Pond Side Project Containing the Majority of Bardo Pond and Their Friends. (It’s a long band name for sure, but there’s just something extremely catchy about it, and you know there’s going to be some downer who must prove his/her wealth of musical knowledge by correcting you should you misplace or skip over the necessary Ps and Qs.) Rest assured: you will find comfort in Baikal’s scorching psychedelia. Aso rest assured that by the time most of the Phish heads have forgotten the last three or four songs played on a well-worn bootleg, you’ll still be savoring the 30+ minute "I Forgot," and not once will you find yourself counting the number of times some dude has played the same lick in a 10-minute span. Brothers John and Michael Gibbons have transformed stoner rock into a transcendental experience — no weed or acid required (though they wouldn’t hurt).

For so long now, we’ve been programmed to believe winding solos and tired blues licks were all it took to turn an ordinary band into a ’60s-influenced jam band weaned on Hendrix and the Big Brother Holding Company. The Gibbons brothers, along with Bardo Pond chums, have managed to turn psychedelia into fuzz, drone, and — most important of all — balls to the fuckin’ wall rock ’n’ roll. Although the two tracks from Baikal’s self-titled release are brimming with sludge that could turn any Timothy Leary disciple into a rainbow puddle, there’s nary a scant of Deadhead or Phish wankery to be found. This album isn’t about who can improv the nastiest solo or create the harshest riff, but how a music so stigmatized and pigeonholed is able to be sculpted into a work of acid art. Baikal is the crossroads where hippie meets metal, where jam meets grunge. An album that fans of Earth and the Dead can enjoy equally for just as many different reasons as for the same.

by Jspicer

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Jai Kaali Soundtrack

Six songs from the indian thriller "Jai Kaali" (1992)
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Wicked Witch - Chaos 1978-1986 (2008)

from Dusty Groove America:

Weird work from Wicked Witch -- tunes that are half funky, half punky -- with a mysterious sound that's all their own! At some level, Wicked Witch might be an offshoot of the P-Funk empire -- a lost mission to a dark planet way out in the galaxy -- trapped out there on their own, and slowly losing touch with the original groove of the Mothership as they mess around with heavy basslines, spacey keyboards, and some very stark rhythms -- sometimes played live, sometimes from a drum machine. There's a bit of vocals in the mix, but they're usually second-tier next to the rhythms -- which themselves take plenty of weird twists and turns. Billed as "evil psycho machine funk" -- which is a pretty accurate description! Titles include "Fancy Dancer", "Erratic Behaviour", "X Rated", "Vera's Back", and "Electric War (inst)". CD features bonus tracks "Fancy Dancer (previously unreleased rmx)", and "Electric War (voc)".

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Rovo - Nuou (2008)

"Rovo is a psychedelic rock-jazz band founded in 1996 in Tokyo by former Boredoms guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (山本精一), electric violinist Yuji Katsui (勝井祐二), and synthesizer/effects technician Tatsuki Masuko (益子樹), with Jin Harada (原田仁) on bass guitar, Hiroshi Nakanishi (中西宏司) on synths, and featuring two drummers/percussionists, the prolific Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (芳垣安洋) (of legendary improv noise group Ground Zero) and Yoichi Okabe (岡部洋一).

They describe themselves as “Man Drive Trance”, due to their hands-on methods of creating a kind of music usually produced entirely electronically."

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Huun-Huur-Tu feat. Sainkho - Mother Earth! Father Sky! (2008)

"Huun-Huur-Tu is a throat singing group from the Semiautonomous Republic of Tuva, Russian Federation, which is situated north of Chinese Turkestan, to the west of the Mongolian border. The Tuvan throat singing technique allows one person to sing in a way that makes the listener hear different/multiple notes at the same time from the same singer. This is done by manipulating the harmonics to amplify different overtones within their mouth/throat/belly when they are singing, and is referred to as khoomei in its native tuva."

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