Sounds Of Lecak: The Analog Vault’s TAV Records Presents The World Of Kribo Records

Welcome to the Sounds of Lecak (Credit: Courtesy of TAV Records)

What does lecak mean to you? To those well-versed in the indigenous language of Nusantara, it could mean “moist”, “muddy” or even “naughty” depending on the context. But in the Singaporean music scene, there is one enigmatic virtuoso who has made the essence of lecak his signature sound. You might know it as the sound of Kribo Records.

Since 2017, the independent record label has been the quirky brainchild of the musician-producer who goes by the alias of Maggot. The appeal of Maggot’s explorations in sound is instantaneous, flicking you and making sense within the first few seconds of its countless releases. These Sounds of Lecak are Nusantaran interpretations of vintage genres like funk, soul, disco and psych-rock, heavily wound in an Asian twist that revisits the dusty yet unforgotten eras of the ’60s and ’70s. Listening to these gems mimics the illusion of reopening a weathered time capsule, with the contents within preserved immaculately.

Kribo Records was founded by the musician known as Maggot in 2017 (Credit: Courtesy of TAV Records)

Now continuing to spin this narrative is a tripartite collaboration across borders. Kribo Records will be releasing a compilation of its works with fellow homegrown imprint, TAV Records (the label arm of The Analog Vault), and Japanese-Dutch label, Guruguru Brain which focuses on Asian artistes. Dubbed Sounds of Lecak Vol. 1, the sprawling 20-track compilation is a generous crash course in the ideology of Kribo Records.

Released on vinyl in two variants, the double LP collection – the fourth release of TAV Records – features Kribo Records’ penchant for recapturing the past with its several like-minded collaborators, including Golden Mile Band, Sitar Funk Group, Geylang Electric Phin Band, Hong Chungao Street Band, and Budak Bawah Blok. Through the nostalgic and mischievous nature of its diverse sounds, the compilation also pays homage to the habitat of the label’s studio, the notorious district of Geylang.

“With music becoming a form of escapism and an inspiration for those who embark on an alternative way of living, Kribo Records is where it is supposed to be – located at the… infamous red-light district of Geylang,” the label describes. “Sleazy Vietnamese joints, Cantonese techno clubs, and the many drunken tales of dodgy acts are amongst many things that fuel and influence the sound of this album.”

If the idea of lecak listening sounds like something up your alley, then this is a fantasy you’ll want to mosey into. It’s time to rewind with Kribo Records.

(Credit: Courtesy of TAV Records)

Sounds of Lecak Vol. 1 by Kribo Records will be released on 1 June 2022 via TAV Records and Guruguru Brain. You can pre-order the vinyl release here. Meanwhile, you can listen to the compilation on SoundCloud.