Antwerp based producer Tristan Vloeberghs loves all things exotic.
Originally released in 2012 this beat tape is a report of a journey made through south east asia in 2001-2002. In particular the tropical kingdom of Thailand.

In 2010, eight years after this voyage, the album came to shape. Now almost ten years later we celebrate the re-release of this album.
Remastered to fit the aniversary and with nine previously unreleased digital bonus tracks!

Each track tells a different story, an experience, a look into Thai life in it's many facets. Sampled from Thai television, radio, and field recordings. Dusty Thai records, tapes, a couple of Sublime Frequencies releases and Youtube oddities. If you ever travelled the beautiful kingdom, chances are you will be warped back in this busseling exotic country while listening to this tape. If not, here's your chance to experience a unique take on this country and the rich musical heritage it exudes. Enjoy!

Gear used : DAT tapedeck - radio cassette recorder - Emu sp1200 - Akai mpc2000xl - Moog prodigy - Korg microkorgxl - Korg kaosspad - Ikey wav recorder - Yamaha MG16/6fx mixer

Liner notes per track.

1 - First impressions.

2 - An extended welcome.

3 - Some of those monks be trippin' yo..

4 - Some of those women be trippin' yo..

5 - Teen gangs, you find them anywhere. Also in Thailand.

6 - -13° 46′ 11″ N, 100° 33′ 10″ E-

7 - The average Thai loves a good ghost story.

8 - It's late, Bangkok..

9 - Manao soda in hands, sweat everywhere.

10 - Johnny Mekong is a name people in Thailand give to drunkards. Specifically to those whom prefer to chose mekong whiskey as their choice of weapon. Some remnants of ODB in this one.

11 - A silly 70's sci-fi tale.

12 - Echoes of a different time.

13 - An ode to the majestic national animal, being elephants. Also small shoutout to Ko chang, the island were many of those majestic beings reside.

14 - Some chinese talkshow hosts absolutely taking a piss out of a thai guest speaking chinese. Not polite at all.

15 - A dedication to island life and endless summers. And to the album Endless summer by Fennesz which was the soundtrack to my own.

16 - Decadence, it's actually a sad story.

17 - Thai boxing or Muay thai is a national sport. In Bangkok you can go watch these athlete fighters at either Ratchadamnoen stadium or Lumpini stadium.

18 - Hat Yai is a city in the southern part of Thailand, close to the border with Malaysia. During the time of my visit the city was plagued by bombings, drive-by shootings and machete attacks. Some remnants of Miami vice in this one.

19 - The golden triangle (northern Thailand,) close to the myanmar border where opium trafficking is a common thing. Mp's with big machine guns are also a common thing here.

20 - Little on this tape has to do with the amazing cuisine this country beholds. Strange, perhaps i should make another tape dedicated solely to this subject? This one is about lemon leaves also known as Kaffir lime leaves.

21 - The Ramakien, pronounced [rāːm. mā. kīa̯n] literally "Glory of Rama" (sometimes also spelled Ramakian) is Thailand's national epic, derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

22 - Last dance of the night.

1* - Just.. Catfi$h.

2* - A Bangkok underground mob tale.

3* - Ya ba, literally translated 'mad drug' Some say it can give you supernatural strength. Basically it's methamphetamine mixed with caffeine. And very bad for you!

4* - Northern Thailand, Golden triangle hilltribe party.

5* - You can witness it througout most of thailand, talent shows in a squaretown village. Perhaps in a karaoke bar. Everybody is a singer!

6* - Part of a lovestory.

7* - A time traveller meets up with a 1920's Siam dancing crew. PoP Finger Locking.

8* - 1958 - 2001.

9* - A classic tale about flowers and cats.