Sounds Of Lecak
Hop aboard a musical flight to Southeast Asia behind the "Sounds of Lecak Vol.1", a recently released compilation, featuring a lush 20-track selection of "contemporary artists from the Singaporean underground." This record was pieced together by the enigmatic musician and producer Haqim Maggot (or simply Maggot) in his very own studio, "sitting atop a bean curd shop on grungy Geylang Road in Singapore." Which also happens to be the home of his independent label Kribo Records, now "providing a window into the unique cultural landscape of the Nusantara archipelago."
'Lecak' in Malay "can mean moist, wet, muddy or even naughty," which might give you a hint of where this selection is headed. Adding an audible penchant for 60s and 70s soul, funk, psych, disco, punk and even afrobeat to the singular mix, along with Thai luk thung and molam influences, Maggot and his entourage serve up a unique, groove-ridden "melting pot" of sounds common to this culturally so diverse part of the world. Featuring alongside him in order of appearance are the Sitar Funk Group, The Kribo Brothers, Rebana Funk Brothers, Golden Mile Band, Wah Wah Thai, Hail Atan, Anak Anak Abu, Geylang Electric Phin Band, Hong Chungao Street Band, The Ugly Voices, Budak Bawah Blok, Eri and Aaliya.
“Sounds of Lecak Vol.1” was released late last month in collaboration with The Analog Vault and Guruguru Brain and is both a wild ride and an absolute trip. Sonically abundant, you never know which beach you might find yourself at next. And though it may seem tempting to pigeonhole this record as surf-inspired, 'psychedelic island music' might be a more fitting description. In any case, this is a wave even city dwellers will want to catch. Hang loose!
You can stream the full selection and watch the psychedelic teaser video below.
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