www.mujestic.com - ( Dem Raw ) 4.14.03

Dalama..." the lost chapter. " by. Dem Raw

It has been awhile since I've reviewed any material that has been worth the text in the Cambodian community.
I think I've found it in the form of a C.D. that was created in a North Long Beach garage. The title of the compact disc is called: Dalama..."the lost chapter." I really don't know the meaning or the ramification of the title but the 20 tracks on the C.D. could of easily been 20 audio chapters of an extraordinary Cambodian life that is an autobiography of struggles, confusion, celebration, and hope.
I would review all of the songs, but I don't want to write a novel and if I praise the brother too much it might go to his head.
Anyhow the flows of all the tracks are strategically place in a sequence to outline a story. Just like a car in a race, it starts out slow and picks up speed every second there after. The first couple of songs start out slow with narratives such as "Stories" and "Power, Territory, Rice," with guest lyricist by Dozer. And then the beat pick up with more up-tempo beats (thanks to Universal Speakers) such as "Sok-sa-bie" and by the time you're done listening to "RefleXtion", which is a fusion of hip hop and pin peat on crack, you can almost feel your heart racing. Maybe I was a bit drunk from the imported beer from Mexico, but to hear old traditional Khmer music in this type of format is almost... intoxicating. The lyrics were well written and the words well versed. The beats set the tempo and the combinations of all the elements brought together the finish package. This one is worth the weight (wait) because it's worth that of gold perhaps even Cambodian "platin". Some of the lyrics in "Wise's That?" are a bit heavy to digest because of the blunt materials that were addressed but time and putting the C.D. mode on repeat will shed some light into the matter. The lyrics are very forthright and frightening when he spit out the lyrics of how the community's value have deteriorated.
I have to admit, the brother has mad skills.
From putting lead to paper and drawing out sketches to spitting out lyrics on the microphone, Prach has an eye for detail and a stroke for perfection. There is method to his madness. The song "s.i.c" is one of the most socially conscious songs that I've heard up to date. The beat is catchy and the lyrics make you think and wonder about the society we currently live in. Before I give everything away, let me just mention that a few songs stood out from the rest. The insertion of the Khmer element into the hip-hop format is interesting. Some of the styles are trite, but praCh's style is unique and flavorful with informative narrative and precise delivery. Precise to the point where some of the lyrics for "S-21" were so vivid and haunting that it got my hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. Perhaps it could also be the music because Universal Speakers did a great job to set the mood. I especially like the fact the music was left to fade towards the end of the song. "Art of Fact," a play-on-word concludes the album. Here's what he said about this song, "it's one of the best lyrics I've ever written." I have to agree. I think this album is a testament to the evolution of the individual whose heart beats in time with music and whose flow is a fusion of experience and narrative genius. Good shit, indeed. The emotion of the c.d. started with calm, then went to a climax, and ended with strength and compassion, an evolution of sorts in an artist, an individual who is "Min-Tom-Ma-Da." Trust me, you won't regret it. The c.d. is educational, inspirational, and interesting to listen to. If that's not enough the artist has made it affordable when compared to your typical mainstream crap that floats around in the record store promoting sex and violence. If you ever have a chance, do yourself a favor and pick one up and play it loudly and proudly in your Toyota Cressida