Indonesia diggin' - good Indonesian records?
Daptunes
55 Posts
Soulstrutter!Anybody who has had the experience of diggin' in Indonesia?Anybody with some solid Indonesian records?Going' there this summer and as we all know a prepared man is worth 2!Also: would there be a good spot for dj'ing (and I was thinking of skipping Bali)?cheers!Dj Daptunes
Comments
Try Yojakarta instead of Jakarta. It's a massive city and might be less picked through than Jakarta.
Which ones are good?
I'm curious but afraid to pull the trigger without some info.
Gamelan scene in Bali was all cassette based, there's some dope psych metal on CD in Java, most world music fans are in to things like this http://www.amazon.com/Folk-Pop-Sounds-Sumatra-Vol/dp/B0000ZH0BM dunno if that's your cuppa.
If you got a chance to island hop to Sumatra or Sulawesi, please do.
have fun
Playlist : "Psyche van het Folk", Radio Centraal, Antwerpen, Belgium
Overview Progressive Music from Indonesia (& intro 60's prog in Singapore).
2 Radioshows.
It took a long time, research etc. before I could make this radioshow. I tried
to leave out the neo-prog. The connection with Holland makes Indonesian music
sometimes more easy to trace in Holland than in Indonesia. For some earlier
examples Feddo Rennier (internet radioshow "Psychedelicatessen", collector,
Holland) helped me. For later interesting examples it was mostly Surjorimba
Suroto (responsible for Indonesian Progressive Society & website) who
helped me building on this radioshow. Some other information was provided by
Ajie Wartono (staff Indonesian music internet shop Warta Jazz, Indonesia & radio
program producer "Progressive With SWA", Indonesia). Some other remarks being
made during preparations are mentioned with name.
RADIOSHOW 1 :
INTRO :
EARLY PROGRESSIVE MUSIC FROM SINGAPORE
60's :
* October Cherries : same (SING,Baal Rec.) Tr.2, "It's all there" 6 min. -compi tr.3-
* October Cherries : same (Baal Rec.) Tr.4, "Can I hold your hand" & "Deborah" 6 min. -compi tr.4-
Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/octobercherriesLP.jpg
"The October Cherries are Premier band from Singapore. They begins as Surfers
and changed their name to the October Cherries, in order to get out of a
contract with EMI and start their own label, BAAL. This move also helped confuse
the pirates, who would sometimes have their unauthorized versions of records out
by lunchtime on the day a new record was released! Sometime they are know as
Jade and Pepper (Jay and Pete )."
Jessie Son
"The have close to 20 Albums to their credit. Due to the severe piracy
situation that the industry faced, they were forced out of the business in the
early seventies. This top Asian (Singapore) band tried to go to the UK in the
late 60s and earlier 70s. Could not get in and were dumped in Belgium. In
Belgium, France and the Netherlands they made some 45's and even a mega-rare
Belgian LP, before returning to Singapore. Other than The October Cherries they
at time know as Jade & Pepper (Jay & Pete from The October Cherries). Funkgus
being the heavier Porgy Funk group formed around the member of October Cherries
plus additional musician from UK. I think Mr.Joseph Pereira know them well and
should published a book about the group."
Son, Cliff Cliff.Son@snclavalin.com>
The style of them is very much Beatles inspired. They had produced some great
tracks. The track "Can I hold your hand" has more rock guitar passages.
Cover of another single : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/octobercherries.jpg
* Movement : Movement (SING?,Baal Rec.) Side A,B 6+4=10 min
Very rare but incredible single. An incredible and beautiful anti-Vietnam War
beat psych track.
INDONESIA
1. EARLY PROG TRACKS ON LESS INTERESTING ITEMS
* The Brims : "Anti Ganja" 4 min
End 60's / early 70's heavy Freakbeat track. So called anti drugs song. But this
makes it a fine psychedelic track at the same time. With some crazy orgasmic
spacey psychedelic effects near the end.
(* Band Rasela
I left out because the progressive late 60's tracks aren't really that good).
* Koes : Plus vol 1, Tr.3, "Kau Tinggalkan Aku" 3 min -compi Tr.1-
Fine flipped freaky hard rock track, with good electric guitars.
Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/koes_web.jpg
* Freedom : Freedom of Rapsodia, Tr.4, "Freedom" 4 min -compi tr.12- 23
Good early hard rock track with hard rock vocals, some electric guitars, some
crazy organ. Other tracks from the album are less interesting.
* Golden Wing : best of, Tr.2, "Hi Lang" 4 min -compi Tr.13- 27
Style on this track is very much influenced by (or stolen from) Uriah Heep. Not
Better than Uriah Heep, but good enough to play.
* Band Rollies (Remaco Rec.) : "I had to leave you" 8 min (fragm. 400-end) 5 min
Fine bluesy rock track with Hendrix like heavy electric guitars in 70's style. -
compi tr.14-
* Band Rollies Tr. "Let's start again" 4 min -compi7-
Bluesy rock track with some brass, funky touch & James Brown,and other black
music influences, with hand percussion & drums. 3 min 36
* Benjamin & Iringa Band Panja -Nada- : Si Djampang, Tr.B4, "I'm a teacher" 5
min 41
Solo project from The Mercey's group. Bluesy rock track with fine organ
improvisations & electric guitars. Singing is good too. -compi1-
* Aka : Do what you like (Indra Rec.) Tr.A1, "Do what you like" 4 min -compi2-
Tough rock music with tough vocals. Great ! With "black music" like heavy rock /
funk feel. Only some tracks are like this. With a feeling of rebellery in quest
for more freedom of expression.
* Aka : Do what you like (Indra Rec.) Tr.B1, "Glennmore" 6 min -compi4-
Great and highly original drive and combination of organ with electric guitars,
drums, vocals, in heavy 70's (hard) rock style. Both tracks make this album
already worth to trace. There are even a couple more good tracks, one ok, one
other with Hendrix like heavy rock feel.
* Aka : Crazy Joe : "Crazy Joe" 4 min -compi6-
Funky "black music" rock track on less interesting album. Very powerful "dirty"
vocals & sound.
Cover of this LP : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/akaweb.jpg
2. EARLY PROGRESSIVE ROCK
(* Godbless (1975) Tr.1, "Huma Di Atas Bukit" 5 min
Good progressive rock. Fine band : keyboards, drums, keyboards. Vocals are a
somewhat weak on this track, like in most Indonesian bands, also in production.
This track has a terrific electric guitar passage of Genesis. A bit oddly
placed. From a good until very album, which might be still one of the better
"early" prog albums from Indonesia to trace.
* Godbless (1975) Tr.4, "Eleanor Rigby" (The Beatles) 5 min 65
Fine 70's (hard) prog rock version of this Beatles song with electric guitar
solo's and organ, and with fine metalophone passage.
* Godbless (1975) Tr.6, "Friday on my mind" (Easy Beat) 7 min 72
Fine interpreted track with nice Hammond organ. Fine 70's prog rock track. Again
with some stolen parts of known progressive / symphonic rock bands, nicely
fitting with the rest. I think the stolen parts were nicely and spontaneously
placed.
Tape scan at http://progressive.homestead.com/files/godblessfronttapeweb.jpg
More Info page at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/godbless.html
and http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/godbless.html :
"God bless formed at Pasar Minggu ,Jakarta in 1971. They are still running until
today. In 1970's, they made the pre-act for Deep Purple which was coming in
Indonesia. Their music style have been changed with the change of culture. Their
first album named "Huma diatas bukit" was released in 1975, It was just
progressive Rock .Some of the songs were clearly influenced by Genesis' sound.
In 1980'., they had changed their musical style to American Hard Metal like Van
Halen. However they stopped their activities after the third Album had been
distr ibuted in 1990.After that, each members had made performance in each new
band . In 1997, they re-formed with Album"Apa Kabar". We can still enjoy their
good Hard Rock & Ballads."
according to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ :
"Possibly the most popular rock group in Indonesia, they played progressive
music during their 1980's Cermin album line-up. Some consider their music as a
straight rip-off from famous prog groups, though."
Surjorimba : "Their album Cermin was only released on tape. Although God Bless
is heavily influenced by Deep Purple, there were some prog songs. In 'Cermin'
and 'Huma Diatas Bukit', there were some as well. I'm ashamed to say that God
Bless was never original in making prog songs. They often 'cut and paste' songs
from Genesis, ELP, Klaatu, etc and claimed as their own."
3.(CONTINUED
* Guruh Gipsy : "Indonesia Makarddika" 16 min (CD2-Tr.5) -Indoprog-
Incredible music. One of the few must haves from Indonesia. The best keyboards,
electric guitar & fine arrangements.
Remark : Keenan Nasution, the drummer and vocalist of Guruh Gipsy's first
solo album contained also a fine progressive track. (His vocals can be heard on
the 1st track in GG). This solo album mainly was pop, but this one prog rock
song is really interesting, also for its organ & keyboards, some electric
guitar, drums. I will play this in the second radioshow. Keenan Nasution, along
with his younger brothers Odink and Debby, plus Fariz RM formed Gank Pegangsaan,
a release which I will get later, and will get attention in a later occasion too.
* Guruh Gipsy (1975) : Tr.3, "Barong Larung" 7 min -Indoprogrock-
Incredible combination of prog rock with electronic keyboards, gamelan. A
monster track.
* Guruh Gipsy (1975) : Tr.5, "Geger Gelgel", 12 min 12
Gamelan with progressive rock. With complete female backing choir, keyboards,
drums, electric guitars,.. Each of these I played are monster tracks. One of the
top items ever.
* Guruh Gipsy : "Chopin Larung" 7 min (CD2-Tr.1) -Indoprog-
Track with lots of piano, Indonesian themes.
Remark : Bassist Chrisye (his voice was on GG's "Chopin Larung") made an
album afterwards with Jockie, the keyboardist of God Bless. This album was made
before the legendary 'Badai Pasti Berlalu' (1978) - both musicians were
considered as the brainchild of the revolution in Indonesia's pop music-. It was
released on CD around 1998. Jurang Pemisah means "Valley Separation". I had one
track on the compilation, rock with fine neo-Genesis prog keyboards but decided
not to include it, because of time limitations, although it has really great
keyboards.
Info on Guruh Gipsy at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/guruh.html
and at http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/guruh.html : "This band was
organized with the above members and the some additional members such as female
back vocal and Gamelan player. Their cassette, tape was sold with the
booklet(about 30pages).The purpose was the introduction of the Balinese music .
The idea was originated by GURUH SOEKARNO. Their sound was mixture between the
traditional Balinese music and the progressive rock featuring some keyboards.
Especially, "INDONESIAN MAHAMADDEKA", the first song of the Album ,is very
amazing .the first part is the typical progressive rock sound like ELP. The
second part is the very original sound which mixed progressive rock by mini moog
with the Balinese music by Gamelan. After that ,the last part is also
magnificent sound like the Italian prog.
I must say again "THIS ALBUM is MASTER PIECE OF ASIAN PROGRESSIVE ROCK.". "
Contact : drummer/vocalist at [email]keenan@centrin.net.id[/email]
Collector's item. Only released on tape so far. Son of president did this huge
project. Gamelan music with rock, Nice influences, electronica, traditional
sounds,.. unique. It will be reissued soon by Musica Studio, a local label. The
remastering process is supposed to have been going on for a while now in
Australia. But I don't know whether the reissue will be distributed only
domestically or internationally as well once it gets released. I will try to
find out about it when I hear more news. I heard their item lately. It is
incredibly good, very progressive and with lots of fusion ideas (*****). Highly
recommended ! according to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : Probably the most
successful Indonesian progressive act of the 70's, they combined Balinese music
(including gamelan and choir) and orchestral elements with their own views of
progressive music. Influenced by the greats of prog rock, such as Yes, Genesis,
and ELP. Quite well-known within the international circle of underground
progressive music movement. Their self-titled album was released in 1977. Guruh
Soekarnoputra was obviously the band's main creative force (and yes, he's the
youngest brother of the present Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri), but the
rest of the band line-up contained talented and well-known musicians.
Suryo : "GURUH GIPSY "s/t" 1975 : This album was the finest in Indonesian
progrock history and the pioneer in our modern music history. Guruh Soekarno
Putra (the son of our first president, Soekarno) wrote all the songs and since
then has been a master of arts (music, traditional dance, painting). He wrote
many successful songs with Chrisye mainly as his main performer. Their
partnership lasts until today.
Gipsy Band was a revolutionary youngsters back then. They used to play ELP and
Genesis covers. They even played several gigs in Ney York a few years before GG.
Guruh asked Gipsy Band for collaboration and make a 'new sound in the Indonesian
pop music'. GG's line up was: Keenan Nasution (dr/ lead vocal on Indonesia
Maharddika), Chrisye (b/ lead vocal on Chopin Larung), Odink Nasution (g/ v
Keenan's younger brother), Abadi Soesman (mini-moog), Ronny Harahap
(keys,organ). Guest star I Gusti Kompiang Raka (Balinese gamelan). He also
toured with Discus on ProgDay."
Guru Gipsy is one of my top 10 albums of all times.
* Discus : 1st (Mellow Rec.) Tr.1, "Lamentation & Fantasia Gamelantronique" 9
min
2 songs from Discus 1st create a similar interesting situation as on Guruh
Gipsy's album. This is progressive rock with gamelan & jazz passages &
influences.
* Discus : 1st (Mellow Rec.) Tr.9, "Contrasts" 13 min
Another such track. The rest of the album is less innovating.
See review & links at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html
* Karimata with Bob James : "Paddy Field" (CD1-Tr.7) 8 min -Indo prog fusion-
This track is definitely more Indonesian in style (with choirs, gamelan, flute),
with additional piano, drums, some electric guitar & fusion guitar. Very good. I
will call it fusion prog.
Comes close in style to the best tracks of Discus 1st.
"The band was a fusion jazz band and their last album was called Jezz, 1991. In
their final effort they blend fusion/ GRP-jazz with ethnic music. Difficult to
explain which ethnic music, as they combined several in one song. FYI, there are
hundreds of tribes in Indonesia and each have unique ethnic music. They invited
GRP musicians such as Lee Ritenour, Bob James, Phil Perry, Ernie Watts to
contribute their talent. The members were Aminoto Kosin (keyboard, now a
symphony conductor),Erwin Gutawa (bass, no w a symphony conductor, also former
bandmates of Fariz RM on TRANSS),Candra Darusman (keys and vocal, now active in
Music Copyrights organization), Denny TR (guitar, now active as a session
guitarist). As for drums they had 3 different drummers: Uce Hariono(now joined
Denny TR session band), Aldy (no info) and Budy Haryono (now active in GIGI,
also a rock band).
4. INDO FUSION (-referring to India-)
* CD1-Tr.5, Tohpati : "Mahabarata" 5 min -(Indian) jazzfusion progrock-
Tr.5, Indian Jazz Fusion with funky bass and good drummer, fine electric
guitarist. With female backing vocals.)
RADIOSHOW 2
5. INDOFUSION (-referring to Indonesia-)
* SimakDialog : Trance/mission (Musikriza,2002) : Track 1, "This Spirit" 10 min
Fine fusion jazz with a certain progressive rock touch, played with piano,
Rhodes, electric and acoustic guitar, jazz drumming and percussion, fretless
bass. This is my favourite track of the album. It's an enjoyable album, with
relaxed instrumental music with a highly original exotic touch in the fusing
rhythm section.
(* SimakDialog : Trance/mission (Musikriza,2002) : Track 2, "Throwing Worlds" 13 min )
Another wonderful & nicely fitting track. Perfect combination of an original
Jazz Fusion form with some progressive music touch, performed by a perfectly
balanced group & a warm sound. Here with some more relaxed easy jazz / exotic
rhythms). Sadly left out for time limitation reasons.
See review & links at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html
6. (CONTINUED) SYMPHONIC / PROG ROCK
70's styles :
* Symphony : "1/32" -symphonic- (CD1,Tr.9) 8 min 18
Fine 70's styled piano/keyboards dominated symphonic music based upon classical
melodic themes. Progressive band includes drums, and some bass guitar.
"Symphony was formed in 1981-1982 and disbanded around 1992-1993. They only
released 3 albums : 1. Trapesium 1982 (the song 1/32 was from this album): Fariz
RM (vox, bass), Herman Gelly (keys, back vox), Jimmy Paais (guitars) and Ekky
Soekarno (drums). All songs written by Fariz RM. 2. Metal 1984: the same line up
plus Tony Wenas (keys and vox) 3. Normal (1991) forgot the exact year. The line
up was Fariz, Jimmy and Herman. Fariz took both bass and drums.
Actually this band was more a pop-new wave band. By the time they exist, new
wave music (like Police) and new romantics (Duran-duran, etc) were top artists.
The sound Symphony played was more in the 80's sound. You know, the sound of
drums, keys, guitars and bass. However, there were prog spirit here and there.
Although not exclusively on all tracks. 1/32 was their most prog tune. There
were others, but it'll be more convenient to called these prog-pop or prog new
wave or prog ska. After 1991, all members resigned except Fariz and he tried to
rebuild the band. Among the line up was Adi Adrian (I included his one solo
track, Satrya) and Budhy Haryono (he played drums on Karimata). But this line up
never released an album, neither played on stage.All 3 albums were never got
released on CD." Surjorimba
* Keenan Nasution : "Negeriku Cintaku" 9 min (CD1,Tr.6) -symph prog-
Symphonic music a bit in post Nice, Latte e Miele style, very classical
inspired, with lots of keyboards and a bit nervous drumming. Especially the
keyboards are interesting. The singing in the second part is ok. At the last
part of it we hear some electric guitar as extra melodic layer, changing the
sound a bit more towards some kind of progressive rock.
"Di Batas Angan" 1980 "The drummer and vocalist of Guruh Gipsy's 1st solo album.
His vocals can be heard on the 1st track in GG. This solo album mainly was pop,
but there was one prog rock song. Keenan Nasution, along with his younger
brothers Odink and Debby, plus Fariz RM formed GANK PEGANGSAAN. Di Batas Angan
means 'The Edge of Dream". The song Negeriku Cintaku means "My Country, My Loved
One"." Suryo
* PS. Fariz RM's music might have fit well here, but I was a bit limited in
time. The style of this album is a fusion of styles, with jazzy fusion
improvisations, funky bass, symphonic keyboards, with more pop singing.
FARIZ RM "Panggung Perak" 1981 : "This album was Fariz's 3rd or 4th album I
forgot. His masterpiece actually was his 1st one, the album Sakura (1980). He
played all the instruments here, as he always did in all of his solo albums
until 1982. The title track here might not be his most prog song, but overall it
is interesting to hear several movements. Beginning with his mother's speech
talking about a young man (actually it was Fariz) who was very talented,
ambitious, gifted, loved by friends and very idealist to make innovative music.
However he was disappointed with his fellow 'modern music pioneers' that fell
into the luxury of the famous (Chrisye, Jockie, Keenan, etc). Fariz is still
active and planning to make a big aniversary of his career around July/ Aug this
year. 'Panggung Perak' means 'Silver Stage'" Suryo
The style of this album is a fusion of styles, with jazzy fusion improvisations,
funky bass, symphonic keyboards, with more pop singing. Some of the recordings
be used in a future radioshow.
* I also had a fine track by Chrisye, bassist from Guruh Gipsy who made an album
afterwards with Jockie, the keyboardist of God Bless. This track had rock with
fine neo-Genesis prog keyboards but I was a bit limited in time to play all.
with ABBHAMA :
* Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.2, "Asmara" 3 min 30
Nice prog pop & prog rock. With nice fusion guitar. With Hammond organ. A bit
symphonic in its arrangements. With very sweet but good what only seemed to be
female pop vocals. On the release are a few lesser tracks only. In general the
item is really fine and absolutely worth to trace.
* Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.6 : "Terlena" 4 min 34
This track is a bit in Errata Corridge like mood with dreamy soft progressive
rock instrumentation. Somewhat sweeter as the other tracks, more pastoral,
more acoustic symphonic, with flute and electric fingerpicking and keyboards.
* Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.8, "Malam" 5 min 39
Very Debussy, ... inspired progressive rock, with what seemed to be female
vocals (-this was Iwan Madjid who later formed Wow !"-) & backing vocals. With
lots of duo piano. Very symphonic. Very nice and interesting. Very 70's as well.
* Abbhama : Alam Raya (1978) Tr.10, "Ibu" 5 min 44
Classical arranged, very filmic track. Highly unusual for an Indonesian band I
guess. This last part is in a more 70's (French / Italian ?) movie-style (like
Saint-Preux, with soft rock band and classical hobo..). The first part before
this, "Indonesia" is left out for time limitations.
Cover scan of CD : http://progressive.homestead.com/files/abbhama_web.jpg
Info at http://www.angelfire.com/rock/indonesia/abbhama.html
or http://www.indonesia-rock.gn.to/mania/abbhama.html : "The band is not popular
in Indonesian people as well as Japanese like other Indonesian progressive rock
bands. I also could chancily know the name for the first time when I were
talking with one of Indonesian progressive rock mania. They released only one
album named "ALAM RAYA" in 1978 within my knowledge. Their sound is surely in
the category of progressive rock and it seems to be relical and introspective.
It can be said that their sound is closely to French or Italian progressive
rock. However their play style seems to be influent with ELP, especially
keyboard work, because only English progressive rock materials were distributed
against Indonesian Music market on these days. All songs was written by IWAN,
(piano, vocals) and some songs were inspired from Buch and Debussy. After
disbanded, IWAN and DARWIN formed the new band "WOW" that also released at least
3 albums at least from 1983 until 1990 in Indonesia."
It's an interesting album with a Latte e Miele / Errata Corridge / Zauber and
such kind of styles sound.
with GIANT STEP :
* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.1, "Farewell Today" 8 min
Beautiful keyboards with fine progressive rock. One of the best Indonesian
progressive rock items I know of. Recommended. Good heavy and progressive rock
band sound.
* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.3, "Liar" 6 min
Mostly arrangements of keyboards combined with electric guitars and drums. With
many complex rhythm changes. Very interesting and original sound. Yes, this
absolutely is an album worth to trace. Songs are sung in English.
* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.4, "A Fortunate Paradise" 5 min
Starts as harder rock, but then has also nice classical piano passage, later on
with addition of organ and the full (progressive rock) band.
* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.6, "Decisions" 8 min 27 71
This track is with more progressive rock improvisation, and even some Tullish
flute. The vocals and the song is beautiful too. Fine electronic keyboards &
Hammond organ, electric guitars, drumming and even vocals. My favourite track.
It was really very difficult to leave out any tracks from this essential album.
(* Giant Step : Giant on the move (197?) Tr.7, "Waiste Time" 9 min
Again an excellent instrumental track. With harder & quieter passages. I left it
out for time limitation reasons.)
According to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ :
"One of legendary Indonesian progressive rock acts of the 70's, their music
showed influences of the greats of prog rock, but still managed to deliver
originality. They started in early 70's, went through a series of line-up
changes with the "keepers of the flame" being Benny Soebardja and Albert
Warnerin, and managed to release several albums before finally breaking up in
1986. Their best prog albums (as recommended by Denny Sakrie of M97FM) are Giant
On The Move (produced by Nova Record Bandung), Kukuh Nan Teguh (Nova Record
Bandung), and Persada Tercinta (Irama Tara Record)."
It's one of the best progressive rock bands I heard from Indonesia. They sung in
English. Interesting keyboards and perfect band sound. Hopefully this will get a
reissue one day.
7. HARD ROCK
* Gong 2000 : Prahara (Metrotama Rec.) Tr.1, "Lidah Petaka" 5 min -prog rockpop-
Prog rock possibly influenced by hard rock & pop music. Not incredible. Goes a
bit towards an ordinary straight (hard) rock style (MOAR). This is the only
track from this album which I can still appreciate for various parts of the
rhythms are based on the gamelan or gamelan like rhythms. Some parts of this
track are interesting, some are better hard rock styled. An interesting track
for various elements in it. 76
Suryo : "Their album was only released as a cassette. 3 members of God Bless
made this band, with some additionals. The music was pure rock, like Deep
Purple. They formed this band when God Bless turned to a more Van Halen style
(circa 1989)."
Their later surely is not that interesting to collect. Cover of a compilation
tape at http://progressive.homestead.com/files/gong2000web.jpg
8. INCREDIBLY FUSING & ARRANGED PROGRESSIVE SYMPHONIC ROCK WITH METAL,.. INFLUENCES
* In Memoriam : "Overture" (demo) 13 min (CD2-Tr.6) -heavy symphonic prog - 90
Played with metal guitar now and then, but actually symphonic progressive in
content with a metal edge, and with addition of a jazzy tune two times, with
even the adaptation of a folk tune. It's heavy (metal) music with various
changes. With some funky bass passages, and a few times gothic, then improvising
fast symphonic fusion piano. Interesting music.
According to http://indoprog.cjb.net/ : "Practically unheard before the
Indonesia Progressive Festival 2001, they became an overnight success, co-
headlining the festival with relatively more well-known Discus,
Pendulum and Smesta. Reports from witnesses said that these guys combine a lot
of contrasting genres, much like what Mr. Bungle have done." Ajie Wartono :
"This a unique band, more experimental and eclectic, their performance always
was a theatrical performance. They have released their first album.."
(producer of band is [email]andyjulias@yahoo.com[/email] (chairman of IPS-Indonesian
Progressive Society)) "Indonesian new band, with demo. The official album is in
over designing stage. Not sure the release date.
The music is a mix of gothic, symphonic, dark, sometimes with rap vocals. Their
official album was produced by Andy Julias, the Society's chairman" Suryo S.
* Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.1, "System Manipulation" 10 min 100
After a second listen I preferred to include (in stead of the Indian Fusion
track I choose first to start the show) this complex and loaded track,
varying from metal, fusion jazz, Rock In Opposition, classical contemporarily
music elements, Indonesian ethnical elements, to symphonic rock with post
(heavy) rock touches, towards pleasant jazz with soulful female vocals, jazz
improvisations, an ethnical folk passage, jazzrock, and so on. Really impressive
when played loud enough !
* Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.6, "Anne" 20 min 33 120
Complex and somewhat loaded and dark, arranged and composed music with
symphonic, progressive rock, fusion, RIO, Indonesian music, metal/hard rock,
contemporary classical music, some jazzy improvisations, and various other
influences. Music is paradoxally with the title (from darkness to light") darker
as before and almost too loaded with ideas. Better is compared to earlier
release is that each track is actually heavy symphonic rock. After some listens
one can get used to the compactness of the music and of the incredible variety.
On this track there's also an incredible and original combination of a jazzy
improvisation (female vocals & later sax) with some Indonesian ethno folk vocal
element ! In general this can be called a symphonic track. With electric violin
improvisations too, and much more.. At the end the female vocals become heavy
rock. Great ending ! Most impressive when played loud and on best equipment.
The band is skilful, and the female voice is talented, ranged a variety of
styles (music,soul,rock,jazz) with a stunning intensity at the end of this
track. The mixing of styles here is ever surprising, inventive.
(* Discus : "..tot licht!" (Intrepid Music)(2003) Tr.4, "Verso Kartini" 13 min
Another fine track which has been left out for time limitations. )
Full review at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html
* Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr.2, "Vox diaboli" 5 min
* Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr.3, "In Continuum" 6 min
* Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr 8, "Default" 5 min
* Kelal : 1000 thoughts of violence (2003) Tr 9, "Beyond numerical reasons" 12 min 28 150
From powerful & aggressive dark Metal mixed with progressive rock, heavy metal,
classic hard heavy metal inf luences, to quieter thought over passages and very
surprising rhythms and fine mixes in a perfect production. "Vox Diaboli" is a
mostly up tempo track which seemed to be the most powerful track at first
skipping. Track three is actually symphonic / progressive rock with some metal
touch. I choose also track 8, because of it's song structure and unexpected
unusual (and modern) rhythms. Last 12 minute track is also special, without much
metal left, with even a progressive fusion rock touch and coloured voice
arrangements. Modern, original. This release is a possibility to invite
progressive rock listeners to take the challenge to open up their perspectives.
All adaptations that occur here are very interesting. The drummer
is very skilful. The first dark metal drummer I know that really adapts all
kinds of other rhythms very skilful, and in an original way. Talented group.
Full review at http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html
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Reviews of new progressive music in Indonesia :
http://progressive.homestead.com/INDOREVIEWS.html
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easy.
If I wouldn't be doing my thing on Urgent.fm I'd shout to the world that Radio Centraal is
Is there a podcast of the show?
Also heard that Singapore used to be good (and if you see the ebay sellers from singapore I'd say I believe it). Let's find out what Jakarta or Sumatra have for me!
I've only had one and it was super beat, don't remember the name. Just throwing it out there as I know they have a bunch of records.
The list of guys who went diggin at that jakarta market some weeks before i went there was pretty impressive, and you wouldnt think that there could possibly be ANY good record left with this list, but apparently they get new stock every other day. No real highlights for me, but stuff like Superfly, Dj Rogers, Mandrill, Andy Bey, some less desireable folk stuff for like 1 euro each.
Look forward to hearing the comp.
Here be the link:
http://soundcloud.com/jeremymurphy/btc
He's into records, but also interested in hearing from anyone who's been there re: general travel advice including but not limited to can't-miss food/drink, eye-popping sights, etc. Thanks for any info!
of course if you know someone down there then it helps alot. But if you do find some decently price vinyl here are somethings to look for:
Panbers - Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
stuff by AKA, especially Shake Me, Crazy Joe, & Do What You Like
Yap Brother & His Orchestra
The Rollies - Bad News, Soul Underground, and some others.
+ the stuff said in the thread.
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/02/131726892/the-lo-fi-legacy-of-indonesia
Egon shares and talks about some of the Indonesian tracks that didn't make it. Good stuff.
As for the Indonsian diggin', well, I met a couple of really interesting collectors (amongst others an in Bandung located dutch punk hip hop head and collector of under the radar indonesian classical/traditional music called Madrotter http://madrotter.blogspot.com/ - who hooked me up with my copy of the Enteng and his Comets).
I met Benny Soebardja (of Sharkmove and Giantstep) and experienced the launch of his "Shark on the Move" project (in a superfancy 4 star hotellounge): Sharkmove tunes played with his son - a now rising star on the Indonesian rock firmament (and reunited him with his very first and long lost '45).
I visited my very first untouched stock of a record factory/studio filled with '60ies and '70ies releases - unfortunately their output wasn't that super (if you'd be looking for anything with funky or weird stuff on it - got some good ones though...) - best of all I stumbled upon it...
All in all most collectors/dealers know the price and what is wanted, not too many real crazy releases (but Madrotter is still unearthing wicked stuff...), but anything besides diggin' was wicked too! Cheers for all the tips here too!