Norsicaa illuminates Southeast Asia’s sonic past in Soundway Records’ 'Ayo Ke Disco'

Soundway Records and Norsicaa are set to shine a spotlight on the musical gems of Southeast Asia with the release of 'Ayo Ke Disco: Boogie, Pop & Funk from the South China Sea (1974-88)'.

This compilation, out on October 25 on vinyl and November 8 digitally, dives deep into the vibrant music scenes of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines, showcasing 10 rare tracks of disco-funk, city pop, psychedelic synths, and Hindustani-Arabic influences.

Curated by Soundway’s longtime general manager Alice Whittington, known as DJ Norsicaa, this release is a deeply personal one.

Embracing her Malaysian heritage, Norsicaa has tapped into her extensive collection of Asian records to curate tracks that reflect Southeast Asia's dynamic nightlife and musical identities—a nod to the region's fast-evolving post-independence culture.

The first single from the compilation, 'Pinoy Funk' by Jun Regalado, dropped on September 10.

As Norsicaa explains, “This track comes from the 1977 recordings he made with famed jazz musician Eddie Munji III. It’s a heavy funk instrumental, driven by the trumpet section and percussion, including the traditional Filipino racked gong chime of kulintang.”

Regalado, hailed as “the most recorded drummer in the Philippines,” has played on over 400 albums, including records by Filipino legends like VST & Co and Celeste Legaspi.

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Complementing the album release is the Ayo Ke Disco zine, out on October 25.

It offers a meticulously researched look into the history of Southeast Asia’s music scene, with archival photos, stories, and interviews with vinyl collectors like Dean Chew (Darker Than Wax) and Munir (Midnight Runners).

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Norsicaa’s zine also addresses key questions such as, “Who made the first records in Asia? Who brought jazz to the region? How did musicians work around censorship?”.

As she embarks on her Asian tour in November, Norsicaa's release is bound to resonate with those who appreciate the fusion of local traditions with the global disco-funk sound that took the region by storm.

Pre-order both the album and zine here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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