Composer, producer and savvy businessman Doi Inthanon (named after Thailand's tallest mountain) has created a huge catalogue of songs and productions since he began writing and producing songs in the early 1970s, and he's still going strong today. The third of these albums from EM Records is only a short compilation of his work but The Essential Doi covers a huge range of genres, including Thai funk, the popular funky styles of luk thung Isan and molam, and new genres he helped develop such as lam phloen, performed by 1980s and 90s stars Thongmai Mali, Po Chalatnoi & Khwanta Fasawang and Angkanang Kunchai. Tracks such as the belting opener ‘Sang Bangkok’ (Hate Bangkok) by Mon Mueangnuea are wonderful, showcasing Inthanon's creative approach to production and his ability to get the best out of his artists, particularly female singers.

Sonthaya Kalasin was the lead male singer in Surin Paksiri's musical troupe Tidso Lam Phloen. The 11 tracks here spotlight Kalasin's voice and Paksiri's creative productions, which were tailored to suit each singer he produced. The album features soft ballads such as the opener, a simple duet between voice and phin lute, ‘Mu Hao Samakkhi’ (We are Harmony) and lam grooves like ‘Lam Phloen Hard’ (Hard Lam Phloen), with its rocking phin, percussion and chunky horns leading the way. Producer Paksiri's lead female singer Phairin Phonphibun makes an appearance on several tracks, including the highlight, ‘Lam Phloen Hae Khanmak’, a lively workout between the two singers, courted by a swirling saxophone. A short but interesting introduction to Kalasin's music.

Until the release of Soundway's Thai compilations by Chris Menist and Maft Sai, very few people were aware of singer Angkanang Kunchai. Soundway collaborated with EM Records on the reissue of her seminal Isan Lam Phloen album, which featured Surin Paksiri's fusion of molam and luk thung. After leaving Paksiri's band, Kunchai set up her own and produced the 1979 release Never Forget Me. It's a shame that it was never promoted and disappeared quickly – but this reissue shows why it has cult status among vinyl collectors. This is a much more raw-edged sound than that found on Paksiri's productions but the one constant throughout is Kunchai's magnificent voice. Essential.