Review: Memo Jackson's "Plz Confirm"

Front cover, Plz Confirm

Originally published at
http://khmr.cn/plz-confirm-review

MEMO JACKSON - PLZ CONFIRM

Review of Brooklyn-based R&B artist's freshman album

“Plz Confirm” is a 15-track album consisting of Top 40-style songs that will surely get heads nodding. With McNub of Washington state as its executive producer, it features some of Khmer America’s most promising musicians and promotes a much more relaxed approach to hip-hop. Phanit Duong, known as Memo Jackson, is a man of many talents, from songwriting to musical production. He also has comedic abilities, as previously seen in his “hella chluy” videos. “Plz Confirm” combines rap, R&B, and pop with an electropop feel.

Track 1 – The first song, titled “Track 1,” speaks to other indie artists who either supported his endeavors or the complete opposite. He addresses his current position in the industry and plans for his career. He also uses this opener as an opportunity to showcase his singing and harmonizing abilities, which are in evidence throughout the album.

TGIF – Can’t have a dance album without a celebratory track to commemorate the beginning of a weekend and endless parties to attend. That is exactly what fans will findfrom “TGIF.” “I gotta thank God it’s Friday / Got a fresh haircut and my bills paid.” This song appeals to any party-goers listening. It’s upbeat and refreshing, with very catchy lyrics that anyone of any age can sing along to. “TGIF” is a perfect karaoke track.

Bochan - Chnam Oun 16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HohyllfineM

A glimpse from the past: Singer Im Song Seum lost to Cancer

Newspaper clipping courtesy of Mr. Ung Bun Heang 

20 March 1972
Nokor Thom newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Im Song Seum and Ros Serey Sothea: Kamloss Kramom Hoeu Ha (Hip boys and girls)

Click here to download this song (MP3)

Im Song Seum and Ros Serey Sothea: Cham Meul Ter Phlov (Waiting to see you)

Click here to download this song (MP3)

Im Song Seum and Yith Tho: Phoumea Chak Kangkeb (Burmese hunting frogs)

Click here to download this song (MP3)

Mr. Im Song Seum, one of the popular Cambodian singers, passed away on 16 March 1972 at 5:30PM at his house in Battambang city.

Mr. Im Song Seum was 29-year-old, he was the son of Mr. Im Sean and Mrs. Tan Soeun who are native of Kampong Preah commune, Sangker district, Battambang province.

He was a former student of the Preah Monivong junior high school in Battambang. He was the top contestant during the singing competition in Battambang city while he was still a student.

Later on, the ministry of Information invited him to join the ministry of Information band.

Following the 18 March 1970 event [coup d’état against then-prince Sihanouk], he joined the army battalion 13 as a first-lieutenant.

His latest songs are: My Father, Pech Nil hill, Hip boys and girls, Waiting to see you.

Mr. Im Song Seum died from stomach cancer.

Seeking Inspiration From Cambodian History [-Keep up the good work, Laura! Thank you!]

Cambodian-American singer-songwriter Laura Mam shares her soulful sound with NPR's Tell Me More. (Ryan Coquilla)

May 19, 2010
National Public Radio (USA)

Click here to watch other video clips by Laura

You would not tell from her sweet-as-honey voice and gentle lyrics that Laura Mam's family history has been one of pain and struggle.

Her parents managed to escape the brutal regime of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, but many of their family members were less fortunate. Mam's father lost both of his parents and four of his five brothers. Throughout Mam's life, he refused to talk about the painful memories. Yet, despite the silence she was able to learn bits and pieces about her family's past from a book written by Mormon relief workers who helped Mam's family get to the United States.

"There are a lot of broken chains that people...they don't want to necessarily talk about because it was very painful. I've been very lucky to know just a little bit of history because most Cambodian kids don't know much about their parents at all," Mam explains.

But in addition to the millions of lives, the viciousness of the regime also did not spare the cultural life of the country.

"Cambodian music after the war — the Khmer Rouge, was so intent on destroying everything that existed beforehand; they got rid off everything. They got rid of all the artists, all the intellectuals and they did not want this to be known," says Mam.

Now, the recent UC Berkley graduate, together with her band, The Like Me's, have made it their mission to revive the long lost, thriving Cambodian music scene of the 1960s.

"It inspires me to want to hold onto something and to know who I am because it feels like everything has been forgotten and left in shadow," Mam says. "And I'd like for our generation to bring that back to light because often times we grow up not knowing much about ourselves at all."

As a tribute to Pan Ron, one of Cambodia's first female singer-songwriters who perished during the regime, Mam and her band did a cover of her famous song — "Sva Rom Monkiss."

Mam and The Like Me's have only been able to record a few songs with the help of friends and family in garage studios. However, their powerful music and message of hope has turned them into an inspiration for the Cambodian community all over the United States.

"I really want to kind of show Cambodians that we have so much that we have forgotten and if we were just to remember it through music then we could have a good time while also becoming self-conscious in a way," Mam says.

Cambodia's Preap Sovath

Preap Sovath, star of karaoke and cinema (DR)

Tuesday 11 May 2010
Radio France Internationale

Cambodia’s best-known celebrity is actor and singer Preap Sovath. Immensely popular in his home country, Sovath has a talent for keeping his audience interested. Above all, he's a singer, but few will doubt his talent on the big screen.

Appearing in everything from music videos, to film, Sovath's exploits in 2007 earned him the top honour at the Cambodian Film Festival. For Sovath, the biggest challenge was not simply becoming a celebrity, but remaining one - he confided to RFI.

In Cambodia, new stars appear every day: They are born at nightfall and then disappear as soon as the sun rises, making way for those to come the night after. It’s rare for an actor to survive longer than three years. As a result, they tend to adopt a similar, rigid, style and find it difficult to adapt to the tastes of the public.

Sovath, to the contrary, knew how to conserve his popularity. He’s been the country’s highest-billed star for almost 20 years. It all started when he began singing in 1990, at a time when Cambodian cinema was not yet developed.

Apart from foreign films, karaoke music clips were all the graced screens in Cambodia. Sovath, a singer but also a talented actor, quickly joined Hang Meas, the biggest producer of music video clips in Cambodia.

Year after year, Sovath knew how to evolve along with the changing tastes of his fans. He did not hesitate to reinvent the style of his songs, nor the way he sang them. Moreover, he sang everything (from rock and pop to Khmer folk) and ensured everyone could see themselves in these clips – the young, the less young, the townsmen and the countrymen.

It was in 2005 when Sovath decided to dedicate himself to the big screen. He rediscovered himself in the film The Crocodile Hunter, playing nothing less that the hero. It was his film debut – but it was also his greatest cinematic success.

Today in Cambodia, the film market is in decline, largely because intellectual property rights are not respected: from the date of their release, and sometimes even before, films are copied and sold at an unbeatable price. As a result, cinemas are closing one after another and the producers are profiting less and less.

At 35 years of age, a married father of three, Sovath is continuing on his journey, all the while enchanting his public.

His success is not just thanks to his voice and acting prowess, but also to the manner in which he manages his private life. A stable and solid married life is paramount in a traditionally conservative society such as Cambodia's.

While most Cambodian celebrities are often tainted by sex scandals, Sovath is known to be a family man.

For his part, Sorvath hopes to continue his career along the same trajectory – at least for now. “I love art - and I love my career my as an artist, as it has allowed me step out of the void and become a celebrity.”

For Abstract Painter, the Art of the Mind

Ancient Khmer painting, by Chhim Sothy.

By Pich Samnang, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
26 February 2010

For painter Chhim Sothy, standing in his Phnom Penh studio, the image of three deer trying to escape a forest under destruction is clear. For others, the mix of green, red and dark yellow makes less sense.

“At first glance, the painting depicts nothing, because abstract art requires more time to understand it,” said the 41-year-old abstract artist, who is currently displaying 22 of his latest paintings at the Reyum Gallery in Phnom Penh.

It has been a long road. Born in Kandal province, Chhim Sothy received his Bachelor of Arts, in painting, in 1995, after spending 10 years at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. After graduating, he worked for several non-governmental organizations, as a painting instructor, until moving over to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in 1998, where he is a deputy director in the department of craftsmen.

Along the way, he practiced painting and was noted for well-balanced traditional paintings. But in recent years, he has moved to abstract painting, a contemporary art form that eschews the traditional depiction of visible realty.

“It is of course hard to read the abstract ideas in the painting, but this kind of art enables people to learn so that they can understand our mind,” he said.

Abstract art, he now argues, can make Cambodia competitive with other countries. “We cannot use our traditional paintings to compete with others, as the paintings cannot be understood internationally, so we just preserve the traditional and use the modern art to compete.”

Chhim Sothy has won several prizes in painting competitions: an Asean Art Award in Singapore, in 2002, and 1st Prize for the best painter in 2003 and 2004 from the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

He has also displayed his paintings in galleries in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Battambang, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk. His abstract paintings were also displayed in the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Laos, Vietnam, France and the US.

“The more difficult to understand the painting is, the better,” Chhim Sothy, said, citing the works by Vasily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso as examples. “Their paintings were unique; thus, they cost millions of dollars,” he said.

Abstract paintings also showcase freedom inherent in art, he said. “I can express my own feelings and use my imagination through this kind of abstract art.”

60s-era singer Touch Saly passed away

Thursday, October 15, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Touch Saly, a singer from the 60s known for the song “Pheakdey Sneh” (Devoted love) passed away at 64-year-old from a disease on 13 October 2009 in Vietnam. In the morning of 14 October, his family returned his remain back to Phnom Penh where the funeral will take place in Wat Svay Dangkum Pagoda (aka Wat Mongkolvoan) located in Monorom commune, 7 Makara district, south of TV3 station office. Mrs. Pon Sovannay, the wife of Mr. Touch Saly, indicated that due to diabetes, her husband’s liver and stomach were affected. However, medical care seems to improve his situation until 2 months earlier when he took turn to the worst. The remain of Mr. Touch Saly will be on display at Wat Svay Dangkum until 17 October, and he will be buried in Tbong village, Koh Choram commune, Ksach Kandal district, Kandal province. Mr. Touch Saly was born in commune No. 6 in Phnom Penh. He is survived by 9 children from his first marriage to Mrs. Ouch Huon who also passed away. Currently, Mr. Touch Saly is a personal aid to Hun Xen and he is also a founding member of the Khmer Artists Association presided by Minh Sothivan.
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KI-Media Note: If any of our readers have a picture of Mr. Touch Saly or can share his songs, please let us know at kiletters@gmail.com. Thank you!

Contemporary Cambodian Artist Sopheap Pich’s Rattan Sculptures

April 13, 2009
PSFK

Armed with simple tools and local materials, Sopheap Pich creates rattan sculptures and other works of art that reflect his Cambodian roots. Fleeing the country in 1979, Sopheap studied art in the US before moving back to Cambodia in 2002. Much of Pich’s work focuses on the current changes in Cambodia society as well as the serious health problems, embodied in his human organ shaped rattan sculptures.

Pich describes his work:

"my main materials are rattan, bamboo, and metal wire – the stuff that is common and cheap in cambodia. my tools are simple: razorblades, knives, axes, pliers, a blowtorch. the manual labor allows me the time to contemplate on the forms and my relationship to it. this relationship between the viewer and the form is what matters most to me, and each pieces are open to interpretations by the viewer."

Pich’s work is currently showing at the 10 Chancery Lane Gallery in Hong Kong.

A thought-provoking cartoon by Khmer Artist Khem Has

Cartoon by Cambodian artist Khem Has

Additional work of Khem Has' artwork can be seen by clicking here.

Interested in supporting Khmer Artist Khem Has? Please visit his website by clicking here.