Gambang Kromong is the Chinese originated Indonesian music born in the suburbs of Jakarta. It is also one of Indonesia's most vivid and off the wall musical styles. The music's name comes from the instruments, the gambang (xylophone) and the kromong (gong) played together with various flutes, and rebab (violin). It has a decidely funky rhythm but perhaps the most distinctive feature is the semi-rapped, hard vocal delivery of the men, while the women wail with their typical finesse. This is one of the best gambang kromong CDs around featuring singers such as Djumala, Sam Sukendar, Tety S. and Andy R. Highly recommended. Price: £17.99
Beginning life as CMBW Bandung, this bamboo gamelan orchestra took their name from their first album and title track, went on to record "Sunda Bali" and "Bali Jaipong" and now release their fourth album. This album takes as it's the theme "Hari Raya", the Islamic festival celebrating the end of the fasting period. Sambasunda's now trademark sound blends, Jaipong, kendang, African rhythms, flutes and violins. Price: £17.99
Great recording of a classical style kecak chant from Bali. This is not the clanging metallic gamelan, instead the male choir imitate the sound of the gamelan.This 50 minute story is a Ramayana Epic. Fascinating stuff. Price: £17.99
The sound of crickets, a pounding bass gong, the occasional bird call, the sound of thunder. You can't tap your foot to it, or sing along to it, just wonder how it is that 40 minutes of this makes not just pretty good background noise, but an inspiring listen. Price: £17.99
