Label: Folkways Records – FE 4466 Series: Ethnic Folkways LIbrary Format: Vinyl, LP Country: US Released: 1956 Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Philippine Classical
Eye-opening collection of traditional music from the Philippines recorded by Harold C. Conklin and put out by Folkways in 1956 (!!). This one focuses on the animistic non-Christian Hanunoo ethnic groups who reside in the jungle on the island of Mindoro. As with many traditional cultures, music forms the backbone of society and underpins any of the rituals, rites or celebrations associated with daily life. There's a huge variety on offer here, with bamboo flute solos, plucked courting music played on the gitgit (a 3 stringed rebab like instrument), jews harp, nose flute, vocals that replicate the sounds of animals and so, so much more. Certainly elements in common with their Indonesian neighbours, such as the opening percussive bum-rush, although the whole thing in parts feels more rooted in activities of daily life, akin to some of the traditional musics of Oceania, than the more classically-inclined Gamelan styes. Extensively detailed liner notes with all the intel you could possibly require. FASCINATING. (NM/VG+ - with booklet).
Tracklist A1 Mixed Instrumental Merrymaking (Kalīpay) A2 Two Chants ('Urūkay) Used In Courting A3 Flute (Lantuy) Solo, By A Young Girl A4 Lullaby ('Iyāya) A5 Yells (Pagrit) While Clearing Forest A6 Boy's Guitar (Kudyapi'): Kaskas And Timpara A7 Guitar (Kudyapi') Kaskas A8 Gong-Beating And Tapping: Binalinsay A9 Gong-Beating And Tapping: Dinūlut A10 Stamp Dancing (Taruk) A11 Ritual Chanting (Ngāyung) Of Mediums (To Rid The Settlement Of Malign Forest Spirits) B1 Flute (Lantuy) Solo By A Young Girl B2 Flute (Lantuy) Duet By A Girl And Her Mother B3 Musical Sticks (Kalutang) B4 Bamboo Jew's-Harp (Kinaban): 3 Selections B5 Trail Calls ('Úwi) B6 Courting Sequence (Panlayísan): Courting Songs ('Ambáhan), Fiddle Accompaniment (Gitgit), And Disguised Talk (Pahugut) B7 Calls To Attract Animals B8 Bamboo Buzzers (Batiwtiw) B9 Bamboo Zithers (Kudlung) B10 Bamboo Zithers, Buzzers, And Whistles B11 Flute And Fiddle Duet B12 Fiddle (Gitgit): Sinidsíruy B13 An 'Ambáhan Chant, Sung By A Lover
