When discovering Cambodian music, and more specifically artists from the 50s, 60s or 70s, one must take a closer look at the history of the Kingdom of Wonder. As most of you will know, a genocide was carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 in which an estimated 1.5 to 3 million people died.

During this time, musicians had no choice but to hide their identities. Some of them enlisted to play ‘revolutionary’ music for the Khmer Rouge regime but even most of these artists did not survive. Artists and musicians were subjected to the most extreme form of music censorship. Music itself was banned and estimations say that up to 90% of Cambodia’s musicians were killed during Pol Pot’s rule.

This mixtape is dedicated to Sin Sisamuth who is considered as the "King of Khmer music" around the world. Sin Sisamouth, along with Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron, Mao Sareth and other Khmer artists, was part of a thriving pop music scene in Phnom Penh that blended elements of Khmer traditional music with the sounds of rhythm and blues and rock and roll to reach a westernized sound.

Sisamouth died during the Khmer Rouge regime under circumstances that are unclear. Fortunately, his music remains.

I recommend watching The Missing Picture.

1) Touch Sreynich - SaRaVan Sliek Khyal DonDob Mek

2) Sin Sisamuth - សន សសមត - Mdech Ban Saarch Dak Knhom

3) Pan Ron - Rom Ago Ago

4) Ros Sereysothea & Sin Sisamouth - Khork Jet Sneah Srey

5) Unknown Artist – Unknown Title

6) Pen Ron - Chet Del Srolanh

7) សនហកនងពលរតរ - Sneha Knong Pel Reatrey (Remix from Gem on the run OST)

Yosa Mowt