Music from South Laos

Nimbus Records, a British company that specialized in classical and world music, issued this splendid album in 1994 and I am glad that it is still available. It features the khen, the Southeast Asian variation of the bamboo harmonica consisting of 16 to 18 reed pipes united in one mouthpiece, the register dependent on the length of the reeds. Breathing in and out through the instrument produces a continuous pulsing sound. The music also has simple metallic percussion of 'sing' finger cymbals and niap niep notched stick scraper, a ranat xylophone, a kachapi lute, and kong tapone drums. The ensemble has five instrumentalists and four singers. What ensues are beautiful mesmerizing harmonies and rhythms including vocal games of men alternating with women in poetic challenges. The tunes are of the Champassak region of southern Laos along the Mekong River and are associated with theatre, weddings, dances, romance, and politics. Because tracks vary as instrumentals and vocals, interest is maintained throughout the album. Track 9, Pheng Lom Phat Phay, reminded me of Steve Reich. Indeed, this album is the best of my collection of Laotian recordings owing to the ensemble Molam Lao's professional performances since immigrating to France (as many world musicians) in 1976. 61 minutes.