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/NM - with booklet).
