Mashicuna - self-titled

Mashicuna - Mashicuna (1980s)

Hi-Resolution Gallery

"Folk music from the Andes" is the best description I find searching for information on this cassette, and I'm afraid I don't have much to add. J-card only has a band picture and track-listing. Later albums attributed to Mashicuna from 1986 onward indicate they play folk music from the Andes (specifically Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia), but with no indication on where the group is from specifically. Adding to the confusion, there seems to be a solo act by the name, as documented on youtube, and likewise "Mashicuna" is a track title on similar albums. 

Only documented existence on this particular release was found here and I wonder if it was their debut, or least an early recording the group sold at performances overseas, specifically to the ever reliant niche of world music listeners in the U.S. and Europe. 

This is lively tape, I like it even though it's probably, well, a Peruvian pan flute band. It's a bit compromised by the condition of the tape: stereo sounds iffy throughout, and side a kicks off with some wow-and-flutter. But playback is good in the middle and still very listenable, just weathered, something apt for bumpy road trip on the way to Machu Picchu.

Side A

Side B

Technical info

Country: Unknown
Label: Unknown; Catalog # "J-01" printed on spine
Case: Norelco
J-card: yellow paper, black and white ink
C-45, Type I

Degung Instrumental - Sangkala

Grup Gapura - Degung Instrumental: Sangkala (1986)

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Gamelan ensemble music at it's finest, specifically gamelan degung of West Java, purchased sometime in 1988 based on information found in the case. Compared to other gamelan recordings I've heard (full disclosure - I am not an expert) this has a more deliberate and percussive sound to it, less dense and droning but still "shimmery" in sound, likely do to the fact that it's a smaller ensemble. It's a lovely recording, with a suling flute playing over intricate percussion. There's a reflective, melancholy vibe for me personally, reminding me immediately of the song "Same Dream China" by Gold Panda, who has notably drawn from world music and found sound.

I could not find this particular cassette release online, but some research shows it's been reissued various times on CD, including different artwork, being a popular album for locals and tourists alike. Dian Records seems quite prolific, with examples appearing on ebay and blogs, though their discography seems only partially documented on Western sites.

The actual musicians are credited as "Gapura" who are cited elsewhere as Group Gapura and Grup Gapura, the latter link mentioning this very cassette, the former being the only release of theirs released in the U.S. The BASF tape used has held up well, very little hiss and great fidelity overall. 

The packaging is unusual, and was a doozy to scan - it's not a Norelco case but a durable solid plastic case resembling the VHS cases Disney used in the 90s. It appears to be popular method in South Asia - the other tapes I've seen with it are from India. I figure that because these tapes were mostly played in outdoor boomboxes and car players, it's a far more apt case style.

Side A

Side B

Technical info

Country: Indonesia
Label: Dian Records
Case: VHS-style plastic case
J-card: N/A (catalog information enclosed)
C-60 Type I BASF Ferro Extra I S

Tropical Rain Forest

Nature's Music - Tropical Rain Forest (1988)

Hi-Resolution Gallery

"Tropical Rain Forest" is the rawest and least dressed-up of the many 'sounds of nature; tapes in my collection. Unlike most other releases of the same niche, there's no coupling of touched up field recordings with peaceful, meandering musical passages of piano. fact the first side kicks off with some kind of primate howl, and the rest of 30 minutes consist of an orchestra of mating calls, bird chirps and various deep jungle noises. In fact, I can only assume it's a barely edited field recording. This is quite neat, making it stand out from the usual studio produced affair of artificial and clean forest ambiance. 

Unfortunately information of this is slim. I have no idea who actually made the recording or whether or not it was licensed elsewhere (though I believe it was, probably with midi pan flutes dubbed over). It was put out by Silver Bells Music, a defunct affiliate of Nashville publisher Thomas Nelson, which mostly produces biblical-related books and media. Back in the late 80s they dabbled in World and New Age music market (to their defense, just about everyone did) and this is clearly a byproduct of that effort. There seems to be a CD copy on Amazon.com from 1993, and I deduce this mostly because a 1-star review said "This almost is identical to the one I was looking for (rain with pan flute and harp) but the copy I had in the past didn't have all these screaming monkeys on it."

The tape says 'same on both sides' but side b clearly begins with a completely different monkey ranting about something different altogether. My guess is the tapes were dubbed off a loop without any proper start/stop, so the content is the same but the tapes begin at different points.

Odd tape overall. Can't be for relaxing nor meditation - I doubt anyone can quickly falling asleep to the real cacophonous beauty of the rain forest. It's not clearly documented as an environmental recording. 

Maybe it's like those Halloween 'spooky sounds' tapes, but for like, I dunno, Jurassic Park themed parties. Yeah I bet that's it. 

Side A

Side B

Technical info

Country: U.S.A. (Nashville, TN 37203)
Label: Silver Bells Music
Case: Norelco
J-card: Basic cardstock
C-62