When I listen to it, I imagine that Im exploring Jayawardenepura Kotte in the 60s or 70s.This double compilation is conceived as a panorama presenting the diversity of Sri Lankan musical styles between 1967 and 1979 through 30 titles.It comes along with a booklet depicting the countrys historical, cultural and musical context.
If Sri Lankan music is undeniably part of South Asian musical culture, its heritage is also a product of almost five centuries of European imperialism. The Kaffirs - African slaves deported by the Portuguese - introduced African sounds while the Portuguese brought their musical traditions and instruments (cavaquinho, mandolin, violin, tambourines). The baila, which is reminiscent of Caribbean calypso, became the ultimate popular music and dance, performed on every festive occasion. Although much more recent but similarly popular, the sarala gee (also called light classical music) is a combination of Indian inspired music, either classical or close to Bollywood productions, with Sinhalese lyrics and a slight pop accent. Its founder Gerald Wickremesooriya was determined to put into light proper Sri Lankan music in opposition to poor copies of standards of the times. ![]() They were performed during concerts organized by the label, the Sooriya Shows, or broadcasted on Radio Ceylon, which remained the number one radio for a long time. Sooriya Records catalogue reflected the diversity of Sri Lankan musical styles of the times: Anglo-Saxon influenced Sinhalese pop stood next to the baila or the sarala gee. ![]() This selection, which is mainly constituted of titles from Sooriya Records catalogue, presents the most popular artists of the times: virtuoso sitar and violin player Pandit Amaradeva, singer Indrani Perera, Paul Fernando and his lively baila rhythms, the psychedelic touch of Tamil producer Paramesh, or even the Sinhalese pop of both Clarence Wijewardena and the Golden Chimes and Baby Shiromi. Everything about this record is UNBELIEVABLE - these tunes groove HARD, the melodies will stay long in the ear (if you understand Portuguese, the lyrics are super great), and these musicians RIP on their instruments like theres no tomorrow.
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