In many ways, all you need to know is that this is a Soundway compilation, but if you need the juicy details before snapping up Ayo Ke Disco: Boogie, Pop & Funk From The South China Sea (1974-88), we get it. Soundway GM Alice Whittington, aka DJ Norsicaa, has trawled the archives of obscure labels from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines, digging up lost gems that span funk, disco, city pop, and more. If you like a little history lesson on your dance floor, Ayo Ke Disco is the esoteric education for you. – Flying Out

Ayo Ke Disco(meaning Lets go to the disco in Malay and Indonesian) celebrates the musical identities emerging from the newly independent countries in South-East Asia during the 1970s and 80s. Soundway general manager Alice Whittington, aka Norsicaa (DJ), selects 10 deep cuts from local labels, officially reissued on vinyl for the first time forming a snapshot of the vibrant discotheques and live scenes across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

The artists featured here were known for exploring traditional sounds alongside funk, disco, city-pop and even political psych-rock, genres that were indicative of the exciting but often turbulent period. But despite the post-war backdrop of instability there came unprecedented levels of economic prosperity. With a hopeful buzz filling the air, the music scene was helping lead the way in reshaping the new identities of the region.

Tracklist

1. Fatimah Razak – Dahaga
2. Black Brothers – Mangge Mangge
3. Marini & The Steps – Kuingin Dekatmu
4. Tian Niu – Deng Ni Zai Yu Zhong
5. The Rollies – Disco
6. Regalado – Pinoy Funk
7. John Philips & The Steps – Ayo Ke Disco
8. Aria Yunior – Salah Tingkah
9. Ahmadi Hassan – Habibi (Mari Bersatu)
10. Pongsri Woranuch – AewPhu Chai