Took this video back on Loy Krathong Day, in November 2009, in Bang Niang, Phang Nga. Friendly exhibition of sepak takraw from the locals. The first time I came across this game here in Thailand, I was amazed. Crazy acrobatic flips, kicks and headers. Check it out if you’ve never seen the action.

http://www.thegoldbrick.net/video/sepaktakraw.flv

Need more comedy in your sepak takraw video? The Onion has you covered with their recap of the 2008 King’s Cup and the antics of Chonburi Tigers’ striker Nguyen Thi Buch Thuy (a Vietnamese, not Thai, name by the way). As usual with The Onion…classic.

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The followup to volume one, Dta Wan Awk Jer Dta Wan Dtok: Cha Bap Sawng showcases more lost 45s, dating from the 60s and 70s, that have been unearthed here in the Land of Smiles. Delving into crates of a different genre this time with the output ranging from garage rock and surf vibes to groovy, mod-beat, a-go-go numbers to psychedelic-exotica guitar explosions. Electric organs, fuzzy guitar riffs, and more intriguing vocals. Once again, the tunes are originals, covers, and adapted covers that resulted from the influence of the sounds of the East meeting those of the West.

Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – Dta Wan Awk Jer Dta Wan Dtok: Cha Bap Sawng, 2010

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Thanks to my man Jeff, outta Beijing, for remembering my request and sending over the link to this ever-elusive record. Can’t wait to get home and drop the needle on this one. The first volume was killer and I’m positive this one’ll follow suit. After checking the Light in the Attic site, I now know why I could never hunt the record down. The artwork was available, but for some reason or another, the actual record itself wasn’t released until last month. Glad it’s out now. No doubt that the wait will have been worth it.

Si Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol.2; Waxing Deep, 2010

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Funky and jazzy gems from the MPS (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label which was commonly referred to as “the German Blue Note”. On point from start to finish.

Between or Beyond the Black Forest Vol.1; Crippled Dick Hot Wax, 1999

Between or Beyond the Black Forest Vol.2; Crippled Dick Hot Wax, 2000

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Ever wonder what British Columbia’s most profitable industries are? Logging? Fishing? Tourism? Ever think to include marijuana? If you haven’t, think again.

No longer a hobby for the stereotypical hippie culture of the ‘60s, BC’s illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into an unstoppable business giant, dubbed by those involved as ‘The Union’. Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually, The Union’s roots stretch far and wide. With up to 85% of all ‘BC Bud’ being exported to the United States, the BC marijuana trade has become an international issue with consequences that extend far beyond our borders. When record profits are to be made, who are the players, and when do their motives become questionable?

Why is marijuana illegal? What health risks do we really face? Does prohibition work? What would happen if we taxed it? Medicine, paper, fuel, textiles, food, etc. Are we missing something?

Follow filmmaker Adam Scorgie as he dives head first into Canada’s most socially acceptable illegal activity. Along the way, Adam demystifies the underground market and brings to light how such a large industry can function while remaining illegal. By interviewing experts from around the globe, including growers, clippers, police officers, criminologists, economists, medical doctors, politicians and pop culture icons, Scorgie examines the cause and effect nature of the business behind getting high.

Nobody’s innocent in this exploration of an industry that may be profiting more by being illegal. Join Adam Scorgie as he unravels the mystery of The Union.

The Union – Written by Brett Harvey & Adam Scorgie; 2007

Pt. 1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6

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Black Black Minds is a long-lost treasure by vocal harmony group the Travellers that was produced by King Jammy’s in the late seventies and never available since Jammy’s himself described unearthing the original master tapes like ‘finding gold’.

The Travellers started out in the same way as the loose local collective of Waterhouse harmony groups that included The Royals, The Jayes and Black Uhuru endlessly practising and perfecting their art in the yards of Kingston 11. Two members of The Travellers, along with Errol Nelson who also sang with both The Royals and The Jayes, had previously worked with Jammy’s helping to fill out the harmonies on the debut Black Uhuru album Love Crisis.

Vocal harmony groups have always been one of the cornerstones of Jamaican music and The Travellers deserve their place alongside the other great vocal groups from the period. The Travellers stunning harmonies are backed by The High Times Band, The Aggrovators and Sly & Robbie.

The Black Black Minds release on Pressure Sounds features the original vocals plus deejay cuts from U Black and dub mixes from Jammy. Essential. Essential. Essential.

The Travellers – Black Black Minds; Pressure Sounds, 2005

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Essential dub riddims from Scientist and company. The first volume of Dub Landing was mixed by Scientist and produced by Linval Thompson while the second volume showcases Scientist on the mixing boards again, but with Prince Jammy doing the production. The Roots Radics are in full effect in both sets and the overall vibe is perfect throughout.

Scientist – Dub Landing Vol.1; Starlight, 1981

Scientist – Dub Landing Vol.2; Starlight, 1982

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The debut album from the marvelously-talented Tamba Trio is a bonafide classic. Get it if you don’t got it.

Tamba Trio – Tamba Trio; Philips, 1962

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A brilliant dose of dub from Augustus Pablo and Prince Jammy. One of the few platters that was recorded for Everton DeSilva’s Hungry Town imprint in New York City. A label that was exceptionally good in every way, yet disappointingly minimal in output. Level the vibes with this offering of heavy drum and bass sounds. Up to you, but I always listen to this record oppositely by droppin’ Side B before Side A.

Rockers All Stars – Chanting Dub with the Help of the Father; Hungry Town, 1978

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Bloquera is an EP created by Maanumental, Newman, Sir Kado, Superbrush 427 (all of Giant Panda) and Thes One (of People Under the Stairs). The album was a result of a two-week road trip to Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico which was the inspiration for the album.

During their stay in Mulegé, the group camped on the beach facing the Sea of Cortez where they fished for their meals, visited local taco stands, purchased produce from local farmers, and attended local baseball. All the happenings were recorded using Super 8mm cameras.

Each member of the group also took on a unique alias for the album. Maanumental as Maanu MyGoose. Newman as Sandy Sand Dollar. Sir Kado as The Sea Troll. Superbrush 427 as Big Sun. Thes One as The Sassy Warlock.

Bloquera – Bloquera; Tres, 2004

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The Desert Dwellers are a collective of music producers spanning throughout the Southwest deserts from New Mexico to California; all sharing a passion for outdoor sonic explorations and the re-discovery of ritual beneath the vast desert skies.

Amani Friend, Treavor Moontribe, and Rara Avis all bring a lifetime of compositional and performance experience to their current collaboration together. Their music blends elements of ambient, downtempo, dub, breaks, tek-house, progressive, electro, and trance; while also incorporating traditional world music in a way that shows a deep respect for that which has come before us, and our understanding of where we are now.

These three musicians have trained in a diverse number of musical modalities from all over the globe, and are acutely aware of the great healing potential that music has to offer. It is their wish that you join them on a journey of self-discovery, and enter into a world of sound that comes from the vast expanses of inner space.

In the DownTemple Dub series, the three are joined by producer Craig Kohland (founder of the Shaman’s Dream Ensemble). The albums meld elements of downtempo and psy-chill with heavy basslines, otherworldly guitar and an exotic mix of organic instruments into an Indo-ambient mystical fusion.

Pulsing with lush rhythms and serene harmonies, the DownTemple Dub series is a sonic odyssey into the soul of the global heartbeat that blends the boundaries of rhythmic ambiance while incorporating such traditional instruments as subahar, tabla, udu, erhu, cello and voice with an perpetual emphasis on the space between the music, allowing for a non-intrusive soundscape to support rather than distract from the listener’s activity.

Desert Dwellers – DownTemple Dub: Waves; 2005

Desert Dwellers – DownTemple Dub: Flames; 2006

Desert Dwellers – DownTemple Dub: Roots; 2009

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