Dengue Fever and others: Sleepwalking Through the Mekong

This is a stellar DVD and CD pairing. Dengue Fever, an L.A.-based group playing music inspired by and covers of Cambodian pop music from the sixties (with wonderful Cambodian ex-pat vocalist Chhom Nimol) traveled to Cambodia to play shows and collaborate with local musicians. The documentary, directed by John Pirozzi, is a fascinating glimpse into Cambodia, the ugly history of the Khmer Rouge and the power of music. The CD features tracks by the band, people they met along the way and collaborations, including Cambodian master musicians Tep Mary and Kong Nai. Very moving and very real. (www.denguefevermusic.com, www.m80records.com)