After an evening of rain, Sunday morning brought sunny skies. And what better an act to usher in the fair weather than The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band.

The group was born out of the ‘Paradise Bangkok’ regular club nights that started in 2009. DJs and collectors Chris Menist and Maft Sai, would flip through stacks of vinyl, playing everything from African, Caribbean and of course rare thai grooves. In many ways that melting pot, global vibe is still very much alive through the sound of the band with a firm footing also in traditional Thai music and heritage.

The band encompasses many genres of music, but the North-Eastern style of ‘Molam’ with it’s pulsating rhythms and psychedelic scores, brings much of it’s soul. From funk to rock and traditional Thai to dub, the group cooks up a mean tye-dye pad thai of sound. In many ways its a sound that can be enjoyed anytime, but really it should be served fresh and consumed immediately in the live setting.

That fine, sunny setting was the Field of Heaven Stage at Fuji Rock, Sunday afternoon at 1:40 pm. The Band eased into some smooth funk numbers before diving into the more rapid fire psychedelic crowd pleasers. Traditional Thai elements sat neatly within the beefy sound of the bass guitar and snappy drums. Kammao Perdtanon playing the traditional phin lute, brings the group a great deal of it’s personality and instantly amicable flair. Happy playing his stringed instrument he effortlessly laces the airwaves with wafting notes of nostalgia and nature. the veteran Sawai Kaewsombat on the khaen (which is a large pan pipe instrument) added yet another dimension of traditional thai sound, completing the balance of classic and contemporary.

As they veered into their last track ‘Lam San Disco’ they had the crowd throughly vexxed with their unique blend of Thai fusion and irresistible uplifting stage presence. They are definitely a group that has to be enjoyed live, and if you ever get the chance, then get ready for a refreshing splash of paradise.