In November 2006, Studio CLA (CLA’s ethnographic audiovisual recording studio) will release its first two commercial CDs, Khmer Passages and Khmer Jazz Fusion. The albums will go on sale around Cambodia as part of a new line of Studio CLA releases that will feature both traditional Khmer music as well as contemporary fusion projects produced by visiting musicians.
Khmer Passages, subtitled “Songs for Cycles of Khmer Life,” represents a musical tapestry of Khmer life with songs that are integral to Khmer rites of passage. For song selection and liner note advice, CLA turned to Yun Theara, master musician and professor at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. With Theara’s help, the CD production team wrote accompanying liner notes that will provide listeners with a rich source of background information about Khmer musical styles and genres.
The second release, Khmer Jazz Fusion, was produced by four young CLA interns, Parker Barnes, Eli Carlton-Pierson, Ben Lerer, and Beau Sievers. Featuring several CLA masters and students, the album was recorded at Studio CLA from October 2003-March 2004.
The CDs will be sold and distributed through the popular Artisans d’Angkor’s outlets in Siem Reap (near Angkor Wat) and Phnom Penh. In addition to providing Studio CLA staff with capacity-building experience, the albums should serve as a source of financial support for Khmer musicians and the studio itself.