The Biography of Titik Puspa?

 

Talking Indonesian singer and composer Titik Puspa is likely not special. Why? Because everything about her was over exposed. Even this living legend still active in her 70 years old some. The celebration for her 70 years birthday was a big concert. But is that enough to appreciate her works and dedication? It is supposed that the answer is “not yet enough”. For life time dedication of Titik Puspa, some body should write her biography as Chrisye and Bimbo. Who will take initiation for this?

Relating to this post, let me remind you this album entitled Pita by Titik Puspa (Irama Record, 1966). This album contains many songs, but no one sounds cachty for my ear. What makes this album  noticable, because it contains a song entitled Untuk Adikku Arif Rachman Hakim. Arif Rachman Hakim is cited a young martyr among students who protested to the Old Order administration in 1966 for normalizing the price of basic need materials, such as rice and oil. *

The Guitar Knight Rhoma Irama

Thank to “Zona 80 Masih Ada”, musical programme of METRO TV Indonesia, which featured Rhoma Irama, singer and composer for Melayu music (dhangdut), on May 2008. Any information from Rhoma Irama is truly important for history of Indonesian music. Let me quote some Rhoma speechs in that programme.

Dhangdut according to Rhoma is label for Melayu music in his era. In his time, rock from Europe was very popular and look like would dominate Indonesian music landscape. As Melayu musician, Rhoma did like that situation. He refused such rock domination. That’s why he modified Melayu music with rock style — some thing that critic journalist then called it as dangdhut.

Rhoma also told an anecdote. Once upon time, when Deep Purple from British toured in Indonesia in 70-ies, there was rumor that Rhoma bought guitar owned by Ritchie Blackmore, one of Deep Purple members. But Rhoma rejected that issue, telling the truth. “I bought the guitar in China,” Rhoma said. In that time, he was interested to buy a guitar “Steinberger” from the music store. But the owner rejected Rhoma’s willing — may be because this such guitar is very exclusive. Rhoma needes to come three times to that store, before finally he could buy it, after the owner of the store and the boss of Steinberger, know that Rhoma is Indonesian superstar – as read from Newsweek magazine.

Rhoma songs are usually bringing moral message. One of his song Judi (Gambling) was banned by government, because in that time, under New Order Administration, gambling was legal as far as it was Porkas. “This song is against gambling, ” Rhoma said. His real name is Raden Irama. “But I want to undiscover my Raden and Haji, so that’s why I prefer to use my name Rhoma.” *

 

The Blessed Composer: Gesang

Indonesian composer Gesang, 90 years old, is the blessed composer. In his youngster, he was not as popular as to day. And may be he lived poor. But now, he got any royalties and donation from his fans especially from Japan. On May 26, The Association of Indonesia-Japan Friendship gave donation to maintain Taman Gesang, a park to celebrate Gesang works, in Solo middle Java.

Koji Kawano, a member of Association, quoted saying (as interviewed by TVONE) that the donation is such appreciation for the composer. Taman Gesang was built 25 years ago and not well maintained because a lack of fund. Gesang is popular in Japan, because his song Bengawan Solo was used as sound track for one of Japanesse movie.  Bengawan Solo was composed at 1940, before Japanesse military occupy Indonesia. * 

Track list

Album: Lagu-lagu pilihan karya Gesang
Artist: Gesang and Mini Satria
Publisher: Gema Nada Pertiwi, 1982

Side one:
1. Wawancara dengan pak Gesang (1982)
2. Bengawan Solo — Mini Satria (1940)
3. Kr. SI Piatu — Mini Satria (1938)
4. Bumi Emas Tanah Airku — Gesang (1963)
5. Tirtonadi — Mini Satria (1942)

Side two:
1. Kr. Roda Dunia — Mini Satria (1939)
2. Dunia Berdamai — Mini Satria (1942)
3. Kalung Mutiara — Mini Satria (1972)
4. Indonesia Merdeka — Mini Satria (?)
5. Jembatan Merah — Mini satria (1943)
*

The Legend P. Ramlee

Indonesian young generation may do not know well P. Ramlee, a Malaysian composer. I know his name for the first time from album Legenda by Malaysian singer Sheila Madjid (EMI record, 1990). One of it’s song entitled Engkau Laksana Bulan (You Are Like A Moon) was composed by P. Ramlee. Interpretated by Sheila Madjid and arranged by Malaysian musician Roslan Aziz/Mac Chew, song Engkau sounded modern as well as classical.

Thank God that a year a go, I found a long play album by P. Ramlee entitled Ramlee’s Serenade (Rajuan Ramlee). One of it’s songs is Engkau Laksana Bulan which was interpretated by P. Ramlee and his orchestra. This song is absolutly the orginal and classical version. P. Ramlee actualy is Indonesian. According to Wikipedia, Ramlee was Teuku Zakaria, his birth name. Teuku is a title for descendants of noble families from Aceh of Sumatra, Indonesia. His father Teuku Nyak Puteh was a sailor from Lhokseumawe in the province of Aceh, Indonesia.

Born in Penang Malaysia, March 22, 1929, Ramlee died at May 27, 1973 in his 44 years old. As composer, he has wrote 300 songs. Ramlee was also an actor. During his career he directed and acted in sixty-six films. Among his films received awards from Asian Film Festival. *

Garin Made Documentaries for Indomusic

Finally movies director Garin Nugroho (Indonesia) made 10 movie documentaries on the history of Indonesian music. Those documentaries was supposed to be aired on Astro Awani channel, television cable owned by Malaysian, during this May 2008. This programme is cited to celebrate 100 years of the Awakening of Indonesian nationalism.

This blog endorse any such effort to document any material to trace the history of Indonesian music. Music is creative heritage which we can not reserve it yet well. So any effort to write or to document the history of Indonesian music should be endorsed.

And dear readers, allow me here to memorize you an album enteitled Indonesia’s Top 10 ‘89, a compilation by various artist such as Elfa, Superdigi Fariz RM, and Indonesia 6. But frankly I have to say a reason behind this post is because Ayu Laksmi, a singer from Denpasar Bali. Ayu Laksmi and his sister Ayu Wedayanti were closed to some journalists, including this blog host. We don’t find yet a single album released by Ayu Laksmi until now, so this album as well as an album entitled Catatan Si Boy (2) are important to notice Ayu Laksmi works. Check out song Hello Sobat composed by Harry Sabar  which was interpretated by Ayu Laksmi. *

Track list

Album: Indonesia’s Top 10 ‘89

Side one:

1. Kau Kasihku (Tony Sianipar) — Elfa’s Singer

2. Kencana (Dadung/Fariz RM) — Superdigi)

3. Kesan pertama (Dadang S.M.) — Didi Bofa

4. Saat Kuterjaga (Oktariadi, Ferina) — Ferina, Iwan

5. Tentang Kita (Katon, Lilo) — Kla Project (extended version)

Side two:

1. Night in Barcelona (Fariz RM) — Fairuz, Superdigi

2. UM Samba (Indonesia 6) — Indonesia 6

3. Tak Selalu Gemilang (Didi AGP) — Ayu Laksmi

4. Benang-benang Asmara (Elfa, Wieke Guru) — Harvey, Lita

5. Satu Selalu di Hatiku (Oktariadi, Ferina) — Ferina

Publisher: Team record, 1989

Celebrating Nationalism

Indonesians to day celebrate 100 years of Awakening of Nationalism (May, 20, 1908-May, 20, 2008). In music, we can find many musicians who saw their nationalism thru their works. But the more important thing actually is the process behind the works. Some musicians record and publish their works with no supporting fund from government, or from record company. The example for this effort is an album Guruh Gypsy. This album is experimental project which featured experimental music, or proper to label it as a progressive rock music, and world music. 

This is the first album of Indonesian composer Guruh, son of Soekarno, the first Indonesian President. And it is widely acclaimed as the best Indonesian album all the time, or the second best according to Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine, December, 2007. From the album like Guruh Gipsy, we can learn much more about nationalism rather than from our politicians to day who are failed to lift proverty from most of citizens. * 

 

Koes Bersaudara and HI(story)

Koes Bersaudara (Koes Brothers) is a pop and rock band from Jakarta, Indonesia. The group consists of five sons of Mr. Koeswojo, an ambtenaar from Tuban, east Java. Members of this leading group in early 60-ies are Koesdjono (John), Koestono (Tony), Koesnomo (Nomo), Koesjono (Yon), and Koesrojo (Yok). This article is referred to book Musisiku (KPMI, Republika, 2007) and some to Wikipedia.

It is undeniable that Tony, who play music since his very young with actor Sophan Sopiaan in Teenagers Voice band, is the master mind behind Koes Bersaudara. Founded since 1962, Koes Bersaudara released 11 singles in EP format, and 20 album in LP and cassete format. Some of their hits are Dara Manisku, Angin Laut, and Kuduslah Cintamu.

Koes Bersaudara goes recording firstly in Irama, Cikini Jakarta, after passing audition by legend musician Jack Lesmana. In the first formation, Yok and Yon are likely to be leading vocalists, and likely influenced by Kalin Twins and Everly Brothers, who used simple style of harmony mostly based on parallel thirds.

After releasing a single Telaga Sunji, John disbanded from the group. Koes Bersaudara songs are popularized mostly thru Radio Republik Indonesia and radio AURI. They become more poplar than soloists Alfian and Rahmat Kartolo, who are very popular before Koes Bersaudara.

The story of Koes Bersaudara is very closed to the history of early Indonesian political situation. Old Order regime under Soekarno administration banned Koes Bersaudara music and their fashion, because politics of anti-America. Koes Bersaudara music and fashion was identical with Westernlook and that is anti-patriotism. Tony and his brothers then were jailed by government. After three months in jail, they were released a day before what the so-called Gerakan 30 September 1965, happened. It is the worst political turbulance ever happened in Indonesia.

In 1967, Koes Bersaudara went to recording studio Dimita and published a long play consists of 12 songs (Jadikan Aku Dombamu, and so on), and later published an album entitled To the So Called the Guilties. In early New Order administration, national economy collapsed with it’s inflation 600 percent. Koes Bersaudara members got their trouble with daily life. Nomo (drummer) then disbanded from the group. The rest made a new group called Koes Plus, after Murry (drummer) from Zainal Combo and Patas band join the group.

In 1977, Nomo came back to the group and made any album notably Kembali, which bring old name Koes bersaudara perdana. It is cited that Koes Bersaudara (new formation) released a few albums, but I am not sure to this such version story. *

Track list

Artist: Koes Bersaudara
Album: Angin Laut
Publisher: Irama, 1964

What is the First Indonesian Pop Song?

This album Papaja Mangga Pisang Djambu by various Indonesian artists was selected as one of 150 Best Indonesian album all the time by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine, December 2007. This album is truly valuable matter for Indonesian music history. Why?

First, it is an album by various artists who were on top lists in 50-ies, such as Teruna Ria, Kelana Ria, Adi Karso, Oslan Husein and so on.

Second, song Papaja Chachacha is cited as the first pop Indonesian song ever recorded on long play format.

Third, song Bengawan Solo was interpretated by legend singer Oslan Husein, one of important Bengawan Solo versions.

Fourth and so on, let me wait your comment on this my post. *

Track list
Album: Papaja Mangga Pisang Djambu
Artists: Various Artists
Bands: Lima Serama (directed by A. Usman), Kelana Ria (directed by Adi Karso), Teruna Ria (Zainal Arifin), Si Guntang (A. Chalik).
Publisher: Irama record

Side one:
1. Bengawan Solo (Gesang) – Oslan Husein
2. Embun Pagi (Soegito) — Emmi
3. Markonah (Adi/A. Usman) – Adi
4. Melati Berbunga (A. Usman) — Fatty
5. Papaja Chachacha (Adi Karso) — Adi
6. Bualan Alam (A. Usman) — Tuti
7. Tukang Solder (A. Usman) — Adi

Side Two:
1. Tamasja Gembira (A. Usman) — Rien/Tuti
2. Bangun Pagi (Adi Karso) — Adi
3. Bisikan Alam Maja (AA. Usman) — Titiek Puspa
4. Lenggang Kangkung (NN) — Mus. Ds.
5. Tiada Kasih (A. Usman) —- Fetty
6. Farida (Adi Karso) — Adi
7. Patung Kusangka Dia (A. Usman) — Adi
*

Heroism of Guruh “Swara Mahardhika”

Zona 80, musical programme of METRO TV Indonesia (May, 11, 2008), features Indonesian composer Guruh Soekarno Putra and Swara Mahardhika, vocalists and dancers group. In 80-ies, Guruh and Swara Mahardhika are among the most popular icons in Indonesia music stage. Even Guruh made his monumental project with Guruh Gipsy, musical album which was acclaimed as the highest achievement of Indonesian music all the time.

In Zona 80, Guruh talks that Swara Mahardhika is vocalists group who are indoctrinized by Indonesian nationalism. They are not only trained to have highest skill in vocal and coreography skill but also have nationalism. They have to appreciate Pancasila as truly fundamental principles in their daily life. Swara Mahardhika with it’s nationalism is some thing different in Indonesia history.

In later session, Guruh talks about Melati Suci song. This song is dedicated to his mother Ibu Fatmawati, wife of former President Soekarno. When Guruh was still arranging the music with musician Chandra Darusman, Ibu Fatmawati who was in Mecca called Guruh and told that she dreams seeing a paradise. After Melati Suci song released, Ibu Fatmawati passed away. Melati Suci is one of  Guruh’ masterpieces. *

The Sadness of Yiddish Music

Israelist music? Or Yiddish music? Even old folk Yuddish music? For Indonesians, it’s difficult to imagine, because Israelist music in cassete or cd format is not available in their country. But here, in this blog, you can at least see the image of legend singer in Israel. He is Benzion Witler.

Truly it is about music, it is about human being, no politics here, although I write this commentary during Israel’s celebration for it’s 60 years declaration. If you listen to this album, you will be sad, because the atmosphere of all songs sounded very sad. Did sadness and music tie human being relation? Only one song entitled Ales Farloyren sounded melodious, catchy with litle bit fast tempo. Come on reading this summary from the cover album.

Who is Benzion Witler? He, born in Belz, Poland, grew up in the traditional atmosphere of the famous Belzer Hayf (The ”court” of Rabbi of Belz) where the young boy acquired his fundamentals to become later a versatile actor and one of the best interpreters of the Yiddish song. At the age of 15, he left for Vienna, and only a few years passed and Witler was the most demanded Star on the Yiddish scene as one of the finest Yiddish actors and unrivalled Troubadour of the Yiddish song. * 

• Track list:
• Artist: Benzion Witler and “Herd Arzi” Orchestra, arranger and conductor Marcel Kreisler
• Album: Lomir Ale Freilich Sein
• Produced: Herd-Arzi Ltd, Israel, no date