Diggin’ This: Phum Viphurit – “Lady Papaya” (Rats Records)

 

A hip indie-hop jam with “extra spice.”

 

Image via facebook.com/PhumViphurit

 

 

With an intro that sounds like a chop of the Incredible Bongo Band’s “Apache,” “Lady Papaya” by the Thailand-born, New Zealand-raised, and Bangkok-based artist Phum Viphurit is a light-hearted groove collage with a winding bass line. 

 

 

[Edit: Danno from Korea has kindly let me know (see his comment below) that the sample is in fact from “Mae Kha Som Tam” by Onuma Singsiri, a molam singer active in the 60s and 70s from Isan in northeast Thailand. You can find the track on the excellent Sound of Siam: Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz & Molam in Thailand 1964​-​1975 compilation here.]

 

 

(And if you haven’t already, definitely check out Phum‘s previous two singles, “Healing House” and “Welcome Change,” the latter of which starts off as a mellow and beachy soul cut which then deftly morphs into a large helping of supremely good jazzy house.)

 

 

Phum Viphurit – “Lady Papaya”

 

 

 

 

 

“Lady Papaya” is taken from Phum Viphurit‘s new album, The Greng Jai Piece, out now via Rats Records.

 

 

 

 

Stream it here.

 

 

 

 

Check out more of my favorite soulful cuts here

 

and

 

hear more of my favorite songs from New Zealand musicians here

 

and

 

listen to the tracks I’m very into right now on my 2023 Essentials playlist here