Molam Lao - Music From Southern Laos

ericmichelauthor

Review by Eric

Music From Southern Laos: A Hidden Gem That’ll Transport You Straight to the Mekong If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to float down the Mekong River with the sun on your face and traditional Lao melodies swirling around you, Music From Southern Laos by Molam Lao is about as close as you can get without a passport. Released in 1994 by Nimbus Records (yeah, from the UK—random, right?), this album dives deep into the soul of Lao music, blending folk vibes with raw, earthy instrumentation that’s impossible not to vibe with. The lineup? Pure gold. You’ve got Khamsy Khounsavath killing it on the khene—a bamboo mouth organ that sounds like nothing else—and Nouthong Phimvilayphone flexing skills on both lute and xylophone. Throw in some killer vocals by Boualiane Thipsangvanh and Khampha Inthisane, and you’ve got an ensemble that could make even Spotify algorithms go “Wait…what year is this?” Now let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me harder than rice stuck to the bottom of a pot. First up, “Pheng Lom Phat Phay.” This one hits different. It starts off slow, almost hypnotic, with the khene doing its thing while the vocals weave in like a lazy river. Then BAM—it picks up pace, and suddenly you’re dancing barefoot in your kitchen like nobody’s watching. I don’t even know what the lyrics mean (Google Translate failed me), but who cares? The energy just grabs you by the shoulders and shakes you awake. Then there’s “Lam Saravane,” which might be my favorite for all the wrong reasons. It’s haunting, man. Like, proper goosebumps-level haunting. The xylophone here is so delicate it feels like it’s tiptoeing through the song, while the vocals are rich and layered, almost like they’re telling you ancient secrets. Every time I hear this track, I picture mist rolling over rice paddies at dawn. Cheesy? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely. What makes this album stand out isn’t just the music itself—it’s how alive it feels. These aren’t polished studio creations; they’re real people playing instruments their grandparents taught them, singing stories passed down through generations. And sure, maybe the production quality shows its age (it is nearly thirty years old), but honestly? That only adds to the charm. So yeah, Music From Southern Laos isn’t gonna top any Billboard charts anytime soon, but it doesn’t need to. It’s less about being trendy and more about keeping something beautiful alive—a snapshot of a culture most of us will never fully understand. Listening to it feels like borrowing someone else’s memories for a little while. And hey, fun fact: Did you know molam means “master singer” in Lao? Makes sense, because after spinning this record, I felt like I’d been schooled in good taste. Who knew Southeast Asian folk music could slap THIS hard?

Download Molam Lao - Music From Southern Laos
Artist: Molam Lao
Album: Music From Southern Laos
Rating: 4.25

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: molam-lao-music-from-southern-laos.zip
  • MP3 size: 45.6 mb
  • FLAC size: 502.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Lam Tangvay4:52
Lam Phuthay6:28
Pheng Sat Soy4:26
Lam Khonsavane4:58
Kao Nok5:37
Lam Khon Savan4:58
Pheng Sat Niao4:6
Lam Khone9:42
Lam Mahaxay5:51
Pheng Lom Phat Phay6:6
Pheng Borane3:45
Lam Saravane5:42

Images

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Catalog Numbers

NI 5401

Labels

Nimbus Records

Listen online

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Formats

CD

Credits

RoleCredit
DrumLidsida Thipsangvanh
KheneKhamsy Khounsavath, Tem Mahavong
LuteNouthong Phimvilayphone
XylophoneNouthong Phimvilayphone
VocalsBoualiane Thipsangvanh, Khampha Inthisane, Nouphiene, Phimmasone Saysamone, Sengphet Souryavongsay

Notes

The performers on this disc are the best musicians in Laos. Since settling in France in 1976 they have given concerts and taken part in many international festivals throughout Europe. This recording features the alternating style of singing know as Lam, and the quintessential Laotian bamboo mouth organ, the khen.

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 83603 54012
  • Label Code: 5871

About Molam Lao

Name Vars

  • Laos
  • Molam Dub

Members

  • Thongphiane Bouphavanh
  • Sengphet Souryavongxay
  • Amphayvanh Phongsavanh
  • Khampa Inthisane

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Music From Southern Laos* isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s like a time capsule of Lao culture. Released in 1994 in the UK by Nimbus Records, it brings traditional Lao music to a global audience. What makes it special? The instruments! You’ve got the khene, a bamboo mouth organ played by Khamsy Khounsavath, and Nouthong Phimvilayphone pulling double duty on lute and xylophone. The vocals are rich and soulful, with singers like Boualiane Thipsangvanh adding layers of emotion. Tracks like *Lam Khon Savan* and *Pheng Sat Niao* feel like stories told through melody. It’s wild how this album bridges cultures, letting people everywhere experience the beauty of Lao folk music.