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Musik Baru
CD Reviews
India Meets the Gypsies
There has been a mystery for centuries as to where the Gypsies came from. Now it is certain that they came from Northern India. History explains that they were driven out by invaders. They abandoned their homelands in caravans, then travelled through Turkey, Hungary, Romania then Egypt, from which the word 'Gypsy' takes it's name. Finally, they arrived in Spain.
This CD traces the roots of that journey. Predominently influenced by the passion of the Gypsy flamenco guitar, this music is sweetened with some beautiful sounds with the bamboo flute of the world famous, Hari Prasad Chavasia. This CD and the music on it have been created in Indonesia, with the visiting musicians traveling from around the world to meet in Indo with indonesian musicians. With all of the drumming and percussion being indonesian it gives an interesting dynamic to the fusion of eastern sound.
This CD is definately for those who enjoy flamenco guitar with a touch of eastern spice.
Reviewed by Paul Francis, Byron Bay
Salsa and Salse
by Sambasunda
The CD is titled Salsa and Salse and the name of this group of young talented musicians being Sambasunda. The band is Sundanese which is located west of java in indonesia with the recording and distribution being done in jakarta.
Very relaxing music with an up beat feel. Obviously very energetic, enthusiastic musicians.
Bamboo is used by the sundanese people as a building material, a food source and in this music it is used as an instrument in all of the songs on the album giving it a very earthy tribal feel. Salsa is the latin influence and Salse, meaning relax and easy, being the Sundanese influence. It is a style and a custom among samba-sundonesians daily life.
The band and its individuals have collaborated and performed with many other internationaly renowned musicians and festivals around the world definantly helping to polish there music.
If your looking for a fresh, relaxing sounding mix with an up tempo samba feel grab this.
Reviewed by Kieron White, Byron Bay
Sheila on 7
I recently had the chance to sit back and listen to an album re leased by a ban d called Sheila on 7. The album is called Kisah Klasi k U ntuk Masa Depan, which translated means "Classic stories for the future". The CD runs for around 45 minutes featuring 12 tracks.
This album is far from the traditional sounds of Indonesian music.
In fact, western styles of progressive rock are a major influence. Instruments used are: Guitar, bass guitar and western style drums with tracks 2, 3, 8 & 11 featuring violin. Pipe organ is also used in track 9 giving it a unique sound.
Flirting with older 80's and 90's styles this album features frequent lead guitar breaks through to up-to-the-minute groove rock. Some songs feature just guitar and vocals toning it down slightly. Overall it is a very easy listening cd that is bound to be appreciated by most.
Reveiwed by Kurt Schrofler, Gold coast
The Rhythmical in Sundanese People
by Sambasunda
Sambasunda is an easy listening CD with 9 beautiful instrumental tracks with a playing time of around 50 minutes. A variety of sounds and moods are created by using the Bamboo Degung Gamelan with violin, Kendang (drums),Suling (flute), as well as Kecapi (harp).
The music is a pleasant blend of traditional and contemporary compositions arranged to reallyet the mood of being right there in Indonesia, being transported there by the ambience of the music.
This CD is some of the most appealing music I have ever heard and am sure most people will feel the same.
Reviewed by Paul Francis, Byron Bay
The Music Rough Guide to Indonesia
This fabulous compilation CD combines the traditional Gamelan music of Indonesia with the rest of the world. The pulsing organic rhythms from these percussion kings of the world is embellished sparingly with western instumentation and stylings, and jampacked with the cultural diversity one can only expect from the world's largest archipeligo.
A veritable choir of female vocalists dot the landscape of this fifteen track delight. Many of the peices take surprisingly dramatic turns toward the end of the track, just when you think your'e used to it's delivery. Indian vocal influence really shines through on many of the tracks, palpable even without the aid of sitar.
For the non-vocal ensembles, a more subdued atomosphere is invoked mainly by flute, bell and bamboo percussiveness. Many of their tracks contain large numbers of contributors and tend to drift into the realm of filmscore musicals of the surrounding region, providing a compelling and at times thrilling musical treat.
Reviewed by jefferson.