Compilation of artists from the underground Indonesian roots reggae scene.
The remarkable Benyamin S., the late singer, actor and comedian in typically outlandish mood singing gambang kromong with country, blues, funk and other styles.
1. Cintaku Diblokir 2. Markonah 3. Disangka Nyolong 4. Keluarga Gila 5. Blues Kejepit Pintu 6. Spion Mat Jibrut 7. Kompor Meleduk 8. Lakinya Lagi Ngidam 9. Rorok 10. Aa Uu 11. Asooy 12. Siti Marsitol
Price: £17.99
Music that evokes the age of colonial Jakarta, or Batavia, as it was called. The music of the Betawi was gambang kromong, popularized by Benyamin S. This is a CD of instrumental traditional versions of gambang kromong classics.
14 tracks of pop Batak, the people of north Sumatra. Relaxing, island music.
Price: £18.99
Duo album from Malaysian icon Siti Nurhaliza and Indonesian singer Krisdayanti. Krisdayanti was the first winner of the Asia Bagus pan-Asia talent contest in 1992. She is now known throughout southeast Asia. CTKD stands for Canda- joke, Tangis - cry, Ketawa - laugh, and Duka -sad, and they are known as CT -Siti and KD- Krisdayanti.
1. Jika Kau Tak Datang 2. Sebagai Teman 3. Tanpamu 4. Amarah 5. Hanya Dia 6. Dalam Diamku 7. Tanpamu 8. Amarah 9. Hanya Dia 10. Dalam Diamku
Instrumental album by the leader/guitarist of the popular rock band Gigi. A mixture of jazz and world music. Impressive guests are jazz drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead) and Japanese shamisen player Hajime Nishi.
Price: £16.99
God Bless are a legendary Indonesian rock band, pioneers of progressive rock. Formed in 1971, they featured Ahmad Albar on vocals who lived in Holland in the 60s and had a successful career there, before returning to Indonesia. They performed a lot of cover versions of songs by Deep Purple, Genesis, ELP and others. They released four albums until the group split up in 1989, although later the main personel reformed as Gong 2000. This album contains some of their 80s tracks and others from the Gong 2000 days.
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. 1. Djumala - Mamat Anak Betawi 2. Sam Sukendar - Minta Duit 3. Tetty S - Gambang Kombinasi 4. Tetty S & Djuamala - Lampu Merah I 5. Sam Sukendar - Serendo Rendo 6. Tety S. & Sam Sukendar 7. Tety S & Djumala - Bini Tua 8. Tety S - Iris Ketimun 9. Djumala - Kompor Meleduk 10. Tety S. & Djumala - Gara Gara Anak 11. Andi R. - Ondel Ondel 12. Andi R. & Tety S. - Kembang Jato 13. Nimi Yarsih - Sayur Asem 14. Andi R. - Ridhon 15. Andi R. & Nimi Yarsih & Andinj - Jali Jali. Price: £18.99
Aceh lies at the northern tip of Sumatra, and came to world prominence when it became one of the most devastated regions of the tsunami that struck on Boxing Day 2004. Aceh is the birthplace of Islam in Indonesia and its music is quite different from anywhere else. As well as Islam, the songs on this album also have traces of the facing countries of Sri Lanka and India, in an obviously mixed culture and music. Mostly modern arrangements with keyboards and drum machines. English liner notes. 14 tracks from artists such as Ozi Syahputra, Cut Yanthi, Obet Mahino and Cut Vina.
Traditional music from North Sumatra. Simple, lively music played on handmade wooden xylophones, harps, flutes and drums. These include the instruments taganing (percussion), garantung (bamboo percussion), hasapi (stringed instrument). The songs accompany traditional dances and ceremonies. Fairly rootsy without keyboards, or drum machines. Delightful. Short English notes and song translations. The titles,We are Happy, Happy Song, Sing with Joy, Cheer and Sing, give a clue to the sound. 14 tracks. Price: £17.99
Second volume from the king of Gambang Kromong, the funky music of Jakarta. Benyamin S. mostly in duet with female singer Ida Royany plus a couple of tracks from female singer Rita Zahara. Classic sounds from the James Brown of Indonesia, who died in 1995 aged 56.
Gambang Kromong is a funky Jakarta style combining Indonesian music with Chinese and American soul and jazz. These are the two greatest performers of Gambang Kromong, Benyamin S. being dubbed the Indonesian James Brown, for his deep funky sense. Great stuff. Price: £17.99
Marsada are Batak musicians from Samosir island, Lake Toba, Sumatra. They perform uning-uningan, (ceremonial music) and Batak folk songs, mixing traditional and western instruments. Their music is joyous and uplifting and this CD catches their upbeat spirit with good effect.
