King of Dangdut

Untill now I am still doubting to label King of Dangdut on Indonesian musician Rhoma Irama. Why? If we are aggree that dangdut music rooted from Melayu and India music, so Rhoma Irama music is closed to Melayu-Arabian music. We can check this from his history, or his discography.

Look at this album by Orkes Purnama, the group before Oma Irama found Soneta group. In this album, Oma Irama interpretated five songs, and only one song composed by Oma Irama. Most of Oma songs in this album are closed to Melayu music, or Melayu-Arabian music. To be noted, that Oma Irama in Purnama group was only a singer among other singers, and the leader was Awab/Abdullah. So who is King of Dangdut? *

Track list:

Album : Aku Saudaramu

Band : Orkes Purnama

Leader: Awab/Abdullah

Singers: Oma Irama, Titing Yenny, Nayi,, Maimunah, Anna, A Harris.

Publisher: J&B record, no date releasing.

Side A:

1. Aku Saudaramu (Bahfen) — Oma Irama

2. Sedjarah Lama (Bahfen) — Titing

3. Kisah Lalu (Abdullah) — Nayo

4. Fajar (A. Harris) — A. Harris

5. Ke Taman Bunga (Abdullah) — Oma

6. Membisu (Abdullah) — Oma Irama

Side B:

1. Mari Beriman (Abdullah) — Titing, Yenny, bersama

2. Djamilah (Bahfen) — Oma, Titing

3. Dajuhkanlah (Hasan Lebra) — Nayo

4. Kembali (Bahfen) — Anna

5. Ulang Tahun Sila (Bahfen) — Anna

6. Kunanti (Oma Irama) — Oma Irama.

*

The Rarest Gombloh’s Album

Album entitled Kadar Bangsaku by Gombloh and Lemontrees (Golden Hand Record, 1983) may be the  rarest among Gombloh’ albums. We still can get the first album Nadia dan Atmosphere, or Berita Cuaca easily in second hand kiosks in Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Solo. But Kadar Bangsaku? It is very rare item.

Why? First, may be because it was produced by local Surabaya publisher. Second, my be because the songs in this album are not memorable songs. But you can not say that this album contained bad songs. No. All songs were well crafted and still bring Gombloh’ rock-progressive version. Since not memorable, the album was produced in limited editions. May be… yach. *

Track list:

Album : Kadar Bangsaku

Artist : Lemon Trees Anno 1969, Gombloh and Ratih

Publisher: Golden Hand record, Indra record, 1983

Side A:

1. Sketsa Penari

2. Kadar Bangsaku

3. Lajur dan Jalur Peluncur

4. Lintas alam

5. Persada dan Persada

Side B:

1. Lingkaran Semu

2. Serbuk Pagi

3. Berbunga Rasa Damai

4. Cita-cita

5. Selaput Terawang Putih.

*