Over two years ago, Bangkok crate digger Maft Sai from ZudRangMa Records Thailand complied two now legendary volumes of 1960’s and 70’s Thai pop, garage rock, funk, and disco from a selection of artists unknown outside of Southeast Asia. Both came housed in a limited hand-stitched soft cloth sleeve with songs culled from the used record bins and bustling street markets of the region. Distributed worldwide by Light In The Attic Records, our dreams of seeing this archival project reissued on loud and proud vinyl has finally come to fruition.

For those who missed the original CD editions or prefer their music (as we do) on virgin black wax, Thai Funk Volume 2 is now available as an epic double LP package (LITA 078). Housed in a deluxe gatefold “tip-on” old-school jacket with a plethora of vintage album art, lovingly remastered audio, and to top it off, the beautiful Thai print hand-stitched cloth outer sleeve (w/ four color/pattern variations) that the original compilations were famous for, it’s hands down our most ornate and eloquent packaging yet. But have no fear music fans, the funky freak-out East-meets-West sounds contained within are what really shine through.

Artists from the first ZudRangMa comp, like the soulful Chantana Kittiyapan and disco funkateers Royal Sprites take a celebratory lap around some of Maft Sai’s fascinating new/old discoveries like The Impossible, who are still active in the music business. “Singto (Lion)” from Bualuang OST/EP is a head nodding revelation. Equally important as an anthropological document and a party starting record, Thai Funk Volume 2 is sure to be treasured by music lovers of all stripes. Ethnomusicologists and cultural navigators please take note—this is a learning experience of the best kind!