Keroncong Ever Gone International

Intro to Kerontjong-beat

Keroncong, one of Indonesian traditional musics, ever gone international. This long play album entitled Intro to The Krontjong-beat by musician Brig. General Roedi Pirngadie and Moes Mualim told that. In it’s note of back cover written by Sunar P, the writter told that this album was intended to introduce keroncong beat to international listeners by especially performing keroncong in the Indonesia Pavillion of the New York World’s Fair on 1964.

The note also talked about the root of keroncong: “When did kerontjong music start? Far back in the 15th century, a western small-size guitar, originally with five strings but now become a four strings instrument (almost similar to a Hawaian ukulele) has been adopted by the Indonesians and this instrument as it is called the “Kerontjong” is thrummed in a special way as you hear it in the record. Now this special way of playing, together with other instruments which originally come from the west, just to have a modern instrument for the sound of some of the “Gamelan” (Javanesse classic-instruments) and by making use of the harmony system, it became and stayed to be original Indonesian music, owned by the Indonesian with it’s exceptionally identity – now introduced to you!”.

This album consists of 12 songs which were interpretated by singers M. Rivanny, Sajekti, Rita Zaharah, and Tetap Segars Choir. The orchestra conducted by Brig. General Roedi Pirngadi, with technical assistance of Moes Moealim. The songs were Indonesia Pusaka (Ismail Marzuki), Rajuan Pulau Kelapa (Ismail Marzuki), Siboney (Lecuona), Mona Lisa (Livingstone-Evans). Recorded in Indonesia by Irama record in 1965, this lp was manufactured in Japan (Toshiba musical industry) under label Evergreen stereo record. *

Ellya Khadam: The Echoes from Gangga River

Ellya Khadam, Indonesian singer who passed away on November 2, 2009 in Jakarta, has her important contribution in early development of Melayu music in Indonesia. As we know that, Melayu music that later in 1980-ies become confused with the so-called dangdut music, was rooted from two influences; Indian music in one side, and Arabian music in other side. Ellya Khadam was a prominent singer in popularizing Melayu music with Indian influence. Her signature song Boneka dari India was Melayu music which closed to Indian music.

We have data as written in a back cover of album Pernjataan by orchestra El-Hurriya under direction M. Harris (produced by Remaco Jakarta, released est. 1970-ies) that Melayu music in 1968 was such breaktrough in music business since pop music made public feel booring. B. Djapar Hashim, who wrote that notes, said that El-Hurriya music with popular singer Ellya Khadam (alias Ellya M. Harris) and Muchsin was the echoes from Gangga river (Gema tepian sungai Gangga). Gangga is a name of river in India, which means that their music was closed to Indian music.

Also it is important to be noted that in this album they still used the term Orkes Melayu, not Orkes Dangdut. Meaning that their music was Melayu music which influenced by Indian music. We know also from this album that Ellya Khadam ever engaged in El-Hurriya Melayu Orchestra under direction M. Harris, a man who supposed to be her husband, that’s why Ellya used name Harris after her name.

 

Ellya Khadam was also ever engaged in Candralela Melayu Orchestra under direction Husin Bawafie. In one album by various Melayu artists produced by Remaco, Ellya Khadam interpretated 6 songs which composed by Ellya, Husin Bawafie and so on. There are two memorable songs in this album: Pengertian and Kau Pergi tanpa Pesan. These two songs were to be mentioned as her hits beside Boneka dari India. In an other album entitled Tetap Menanti by Candralela under direction Husin Bawafie (produced by Remaco, estimated 1970-ies), Olan Sitompul who wrote the notes in the back cover said also that Ellya Khadam was closed to Indian music.

Ellya Khadam (1932-2009) who lived in Jakarta was singer, song writer, and actress. We have no data about the amount of her songs and albums. But she played in 21 movies since 1959-1978. One of her movies is Benjamin Biang Kerok. Her surename as mentioned by Wikipedia is Siti Alya Husnah. *

Lebaran, Oslan Husein and M. Jusuf

Detail information on musical album is important for history. Look at this album entitled Tahu Tempe by singer Oslan Husein which published by Irama record on 1960-ies. This album attached a note written by Sjahrul Nawas on it’s back cover. Sjahrul Nawas said that this album presented songs concerning about basic need of the Indonesian people in era 1960-ies.

This album responded toward speech of Presiden Soekarno who said that Indonesian people will never been hungry, because Indonesia is a rich country. So that this album presented songs entitled Tahu Tempe (a traditional food made of soya-bean), Nasi Djagung (rice made of corn), Sepiring Nasi (A Plate of Rice).

But what made this album special is a song entitled Lebaran, which became national anthem and sung every Idul Fitri season. Also finally, we know that the composer of this classic song is M. Jusuf, a leader of Orkes Widjaja Kusuma, a band for this album. Who has any information about M. Jusuf? Please share your information to us. *

Gordon Tobing Sing Sing So

Album "Gordon Tobing, Sing Sing So, Suara Impola", Media record.

Gordon Tobing (1925-1993) is folk singer from Medan, a city in west Sumatera. I am not familiar with this singer until I buy this Gordon Tobing cassete newly. His voice is tender, not as I image mostly from Batak singers which are usually hard to hear. Some people said that Gordon Tobing is such legend singer — he mostly sang Batakness folk songs, as interpretated in this album “Sing Sing So” with his group Suara Impola (recorded by Media, with no date of releasing). His songs in this album are Sing Sing So, Lisoi. Butet, Soleram and so on. *

Bing’s Trick for Children Songs

Kaset Koes Plus Pop Anak Vol. 1, Bing Slamet dkk

When this First Koes Plus Album – Children Pop is played, my four years old son commenting that he like that song. But why the singer is orang tua, Indonesian word for adult singer? Koes Plus is Indonesian pop band who released albums in various genres including children song. His first children song album was published by Purnama record (estimated produced in 70-ies). It consists of 12 songs, most of them catchy, and song Pok Ami Ami is memorable. In the era of Koes Plus, some pop bands published children song albums. Indeed they published albums in various genres. Even Favourite’s Group under direction A Rijanto published album Dakocan, which was supposed his best album. The different between Koes Plus and Favourite’s Group in creating children album is, Koes Plus interpretated the songs with their adult voice, meanwhile Favourite’s engaged children singers to interpretate the songs.

May be children song should be interpretated by children singers. But there was such a way to create a hybrid children song. Look at what musician Bing Slamet done in this album “Bing Slamet dkk”. This album is B part of album “Nola Tilaar, Eva Nurdin, Sylvia Kusumaningrum, Band Zainal Combo” (Canary record, estimated produced in 60-ies). In this album, Bing Slamet sang a duo with him self but with distorted voice thru a machine. The result is a memorable album. An other hybrid is a song Jangan Takut Gelap by child singer Tasya and pop singer Duta of Sheila on Seven band (the Very Best of Tasya, produced by Sony BMG, 2005). The result is a succes album.

One of children song albums which was appreciated by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine (December, 2007) as one of 150 best Indonesian albums is Balonku. This album was produced by musician Adikarso and Andi Mamon, and played by a Gema Irama band under direction Jack Lesmana. Unfortunately I don’t find yet this album. Do you? *

Koes Plus: The Second Album

Again, this is a personal commentary. Murry is a drummer of this pop band Koes Plus. Since he is the one and only non-Koes-brother, Murry is supposed has his personal character in music and composing. But in this Koes Plus early album, we can see that Mury composed three songs. Those songs — and may be all his songs in his lifetime career – had Koes Plus’ character: simplicity, catchy melody, “pop corn” musical taste. May be Koes Plus “home” influenced him deeply — musically. *

Track list

Album : Koes Plus Volume II

Artist Koes Plus Publisher: Dimita, no date release

Side I:

1. Lagu dalam Impian (Tony K) – Tonny K/Jon K

2.Kisah Sedih di hari Minggu (Tonny K) – Jon K

3. Kau Tinggalkan Aku (Jon K) – Tonny K/Jon K

4. Pentjuri Hati (Tonny K/Jon K/Murry) – Jok K

5. Hidup jang Sepi (Jon K) – Jon K

6. Djangan Selalu Marah (Tonny K) – Tonny

Side II:

1.Rahasia Hatiku (Tonny K) – Tonny K/Jon K

2.Andaikan Kau Datang (Tonny K) — Jon K

3. Bilakah Kau Pulang (Jon K) — Jon K

4. Hanja Pusaramu (Tonny K/Murry) — Jok K

5. Mengapa Kau Sedih (Jok K) — Tonny K

6. Djandjimu (Murry) — Jon K

*

Welcome Home All Hajj’s

These days, thousand moslem Indonesians will come back to their house after two weeks made a pilgrimage to Mecca for making hajj ritual. They will be welcomed by their family and friends. Usually they make a litle party (tasyakkur) to celebrate a new hajj, the man who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca. This old song entitled Menjambut Djemaah Hadji (Welcoming All Hajjs) is proper to this occasion. The song composed by Oemar Al-Katiri/T. Muchtar and was interpretated by Hikmah T.A. and Assjabaab Orchestra (published by Nada record, no date releasing). Check the lyric. *

Menyambut Jemaah Haji

Kapal berlabuh berlambangkan lafzillahi

dengan selamat jemaah haji kembali.

Usai menunaikan perintah ilahi

serta berziarah ke makam Nabi.

Sanak saudara menyambut dengan gembira

kehadiran insan yang diberi hati sutra. 2 kali

Reff: Bersatu padu dalam agama Tuhan

Pantang bercerai walau beribu gangguang

demi peintah Allah dan Rasul pilihan

Ka’bah baitullah adalah tujuan.

Selamat datang, selamat kami ucapkan

puji serta syukur kami panjatkan. 2 kali

Semoga makbul yang diamalkan

jadi sinar hidup dan kebahagiaan. *

Social Portraits from Benyamin

Finally, I know that the theme song of Yuk Ngelenong, a comedian program aired by Transtv every morning is entitled Hudjan Gerimis (The Rainy ). This song is one of 24 songs from album Steambath (Indah record, no date of releasing) by singer and composer Benyamin S. This song is truly the most cathiest song from this album and has simple and poetic lyric.

Benyamin is legend singer from Jakarta, who was also comedian, actor, composer. His songs are mostly gambrang kromong songs, a traditional Batavian song. This music is truly traditional and casual, so it is flexible to used as social critic as well as social portrait. Some songs could be used as thematic songs, such as Pengantin Sunat, Barongsay (a chinesse traditional puppets), Si Djagur and so on.

An other album entitled Nenamu by Benyamin S and singer Inneke Kusumawati (published by Radio P2SC Siliwangi, Jakarta) also full social portrait songs, such as Pengantin Baru, Nonton Misbar, Pulang Mudik, and so on. The song Pulang Mudik is proper to sung in this Lebaran season, since there are million people in Jakarta come back for while (mudik) to their village (kampong). *

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. *

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