VA - Saigon Rock & Soul: Vietnamese Classic Tracks 1968-1974 (Sublime Frequencies)

O Saigão, hoje conhecido por Ho Chi Minh, foi a capital da colónia francesa Conchichina (nome que os navegadores portugueses deram à região entre a Índia e Cochim como chamávamos à China na altura). Tendo estado ocupado por franceses até à divisão do Vietname em dois (norte comunista e sul pró-ocidente) foi o quartel-general das tropas americanas durante a sangrenta guerra que só acabou em 1975 com a invasão por parte do Norte, precisamente a esta cidade. O período em que estas músicas foram gravadas reporta, portanto ao tempo de ocupação americana.

Este disco conta, portanto com variadas influências ocidentais e orientais. É uma excelente amostra de rock com guitarras ácidas, wah-wahs, arranjos com sopros, com um ritmo muito funky e vozes carregadas de eco. Muito recomendável, dançável, cantarolável e importável.

"The tracks that form this collection cut a window into a rich musical Vietnamese music scene that has long been obscured, and for the most part, forgotten. As the scope of electrified Vietnamese music from the 1960s and 1970s begins to be revealed, it becomes evident that this was among the heaviest and most eclectic musical scenes of South East Asia at the time. These songs tell of war, love and what war does to love. All of them were recorded in makeshift studios and even US army facilities while the Vietnam War raged – and were issued by a handful of Saigon record companies on vinyl 45s and reel or cassette tapes. "

"During the 1960s and 1970s, pulp ballads were being recorded by leading crooners of the time who alternated between modern and traditional forms of regional music. When the electric guitar hit the streets of Saigon, Vietnamese renditions of contemporary instrumental trends such as surf rock, beat and twist soon emerged, followed by some pretty deep soul sounds inspired by Motown radio hits as well as funk grooves brought on by James Brown and his contemporaries."