Album Qasidah AKA and Duo Kribo' Albums

Andalas Datoe Oloan Harahap, a.k.a. Ucok AKA Harahap (70 years old) was a singer, musician and song composer. His rock band was AKA, a name taken from Apotik Kali Asin, a drug store in Surabaya. This band was a news maker in it’s era (1970-ies), for it’s extreme acrobatic performance. Unfortunately, that AKA group did not make any hits unless song entitled Badai Bulan Desember.

Some AKA’ albums as mentioned by a book Musisiku (KPMI-Republika, 2007) are: Do What You Like (1970), Reflections (1971), Crazy Joe (1972), Sky Rider (1973), Cruel Side of Suez War (1974), Mr. Bulldog (1975), Pucuk Kumati (1977), AKA in Rock (1979), The Best of AKA (1979), AKA 20 Golden Hits (1979), dan Puber Kedua (1979). In a short periode, Ucok and Ahmad Albar made a group Duo Kribo which made hits like Dunia Panggung Sandiwara, Neraka Jahanam, and Penari Jalang.

But may be what was not noticed by public from AKA and Ucok, that they ever released an album with genre qasidah, an Islamic religious pop genre. This album consists of 8 songs with it’s hit Insaflah, a pop-qasidah which blended Marawis, Batavia ethnic music with rock. This album was a side B of album Qasidah Bimbo (Fajar Satu Syawal, Remaco). At least, Ucok, the legendary rock-singer who passed away on December 3, 2009, ever sang religiously. *

Marini's Album and OST Cinta Pertama

Marini has an album which likely made him distinguished from other woman singers. This album entitled Cinta Pertama (produced by Pertiwi, distributed by PT Perina Utama Indonesia, on early 1980-ies). Some songs are taken from soundtrack movie Cinta Pertama and Pengantin Remaja. There are some prominent musicians engaged in this album, such as Idris Sardi (arranger), Kiboud Maulana (guitar), Gatot Sunyoto (conga), Jimmi Manoppo (drum). Although Marini’s voice was not powerful as Anna Mantovani, the first singer who interpretated song Cinta Pertama, but this album is valuable and collectable. The songs were well selected and music was ehm so far okey and nice. *

Ramadan is a month of fasting. This ritual is for moslems. Usually, moslem artists released Islamic religious album in this month. We try to inform you 10 Best Islamic Religious Albums (all time), as we have in our library.

1.Irama Kasidah, by artists Iin and Bimbo, Remaco, 1970-ies. Hits: Tuhan, and Rindu Kami Padamu, Ya Rasul.

2. Pop Religius, Damai BersamaMu, by various artists (Musica, 2008). Hits: almost all songs are hits such as Damai BersamaMu, Ketika Tangan dan Kaki Berkata, Thala’al badru ‘Alaina, Shalawar Badar – all intrepretated by Chrisye.

3. Istighfar, by artist Opick (Nada Hijrah, 2005). Hits: Bila waktu Telah Berakhir, and Tombo Ati.

4. Love for The Messenger, by artist Haddad Alwi and Sulis, arrangement orchestra by Dwiki Dharmawan (M Record, 2005). Hits: Madinatul ‘Ilmi and I’tiraf.

5. Tembang Lebaran, by various artists such as Sinergi, and Rida-Sita (Sony music, 1999). Hits: Pagi Ramadan, and Segala Puji BagiMu.

6. Azza Wa Jalla, by artst Dian Pramana Poetra (RPM record, 2006).

7. Dengan Menyebut Nama Allah, by various artists such as Novia Kolopaking, music by Dwiki Dharmawan (Musica, 1990). Hits: Dengan Menyebut Nama Allah.

8. Kado Muhammad, by artist Emha Ainun Nadjib and Gamelan Kiai Kanjeng, (Kalijogo record, 1988). Hits: Tombo Ati.

9. Cinta Ilahi, by artist Snada, (Studio Kita record, 1980-ies). Hits: Pagi Ramadhan.

10. Festival Nasyid Indonesia, (Forte Entertainment, 2004). Hits: Cinta Saja (Zuhruf) *

August is a month of Indonesia anniversary. What music should be presented for public thru mass media? We have list of ten Indonesian songs composed by prominent musicians which we suggest to be performed and replayed for public.

1. Kebyar-kebyar, song composed by Gombloh, from album entitled Kebyar-kebyar, artist Lemon Tress Anno ’69 (Golden Hand, 1979). This very popular song sounded heroic and enthusiastic, with it’s poetic lyric: merah darahku, putih tulangku, bersatu dalam jiwa (my red blood, my white bone, united in my soul).

2. Bendera-bendera, song composed by Gombloh, from album entitled Kebyar-kebyar, artist Lemon Tress Anno ’69 (Golden Hand, 1979). This song was not popular but actually melodious and catchy, and public should be memorized to this beautiful song. Part of it’s lyric talk about heroic moment in Surabaya city on November, 19, 1945.

3. Jangan menangis, Indonesia, song composed by Harry Roesli, from album entitled LTO Volume 2, artist Harry Roesli, (Musica, 1981). This song was actually rebel music for New Order politics, but with positive approach. Beside all it’s sadness, Harry Roesli tell to Indonesians that he will stand forever for keeping great Indonesia.

4. B.K., song composed by Gombloh, from album entitled Pesan Buat Negeriku (A Message for My Country), artist Lemon Trees Anno 1969 (Golden Hand, 1989). This song was melodious, cacthy, and thematic for memorizing Bung Karno, a former Indonesia President and founding father.

5. Nyanyian Tanah Merdeka, song composed by Leo Imam Soekarno from album entitled Nyanyian Tanah Merdeka, artist Konser Rakyat Leo Kristi (Irama Tara, no date of releasing). This song was heroic, catchy, enthusiastic, with it’s suggestic lyric for Indonesia freedom and liberty.

6. Bung Karno, song composed by Bram Makahekum, from album entitled Kelompok Kampungan Mencari Tuhan, artist Kelompok Kampungan, (Akurama, 1979), or it’s re-arrangement version Bung Karno Milik Rakyat Indonesia, artist Bram Kampungan (Musica, 1999). This song was heroic, enthusiastic, melodious, memorizing founding father Bung Karno and it’s message with quotation from his speech about Utara Kuru, alias Indonesia).

7. Melati Suci, song composed by Guruh Soekarnoputra, arranged by Chandra Darusman, interpretated by Tika Bisono, from album entitled Untukmu Indonesiaku, Pergelaran Karya Cipta Guruh Seokarnoputra II, artist Swara Mahardhika (Musica, 1974). This song was melodious, slow tempo, sad, and memorizing toward Ibu Fatmawati, the first first lady of Indonesia, wife of first Indonesian President Soekarno).

8. Kharisma Indonesia, song composed by Budiman and IG Ngurah Gede, arranged by Adie MS, interpretated by Louise Hutauruk, from album entitled Dasa tembang Tercantik ’79, Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja Prambors Rasisonia (Prambors, 1979). This song was energic, praising Indonesia’s beauty, catchy, bringing new sound of Indonesian pop-progressive music.

9. Wawasan Nusantara, song composed by AA Adhigotama, arranged by Adie MS, from album entitled Dasa Tembang Tercantik ’80, Lomba Cipta Lagu Prambors Rasisonia, (Prambors, 1980). This song was melodious, more like ballad, with simple arrangement based on “juicy unpluged guitar”. The Indonesian listener can imagine this song if they are aware a song Sempurna by Andra and The Backbone band.

10. Merah Putih (Red and White), song composed by Gombloh, interpretated by various artists of Musica recording Jakarta, from album Terima Kasih Indonesia, 50 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka (Musica, 1996). This song was purely pop and interpretated by dozen artists as the way song “We Are the World” interpretated. The lyric talking about praising toward Indonesia. Actualy, if the song interpretated by Lemon Trees, may be the impression will be strong, like any other Gombloh-progressive-rock version. *

Musician Yockie Suryoprayogo is the only Indonesian musician who ever released an album which declaring his genre and musical identty. Check this album entitled “Musik Saya adalah Saya” (Musca, 1970-ies). This title means: “My Music is Me”. In this album Yockie presents 8 songs such as Theme Song (Musik saya adalah Saya), Angin Malam, Cakrawala Senja and Duka Sang Bahaduri. Most of the songs composed by Yockie.

All songs were arranged and reflected Yockie’s personal style which was closed to a symphonic-art-rock genre. This album is closed to Guruh Gypsy and Jurang  Pemisah (a collaboration with singer Chrisye). This declaration about his identity is important, since musical identity in nowadays is something confused. This day, this year dozen bands born but they are confused about their musical identity. *

LP Favourite's Group, Album "Pop Melayu Vol. 2"

This album by Favourite’s Group was entitled “Pop Melayu Volume 2”. It consists of 10 songs, and all of them were hits and memorable. The genre was dangdut-pop-band. One of the songs entitled Dangdut. The lyric is such admiring dangdut as beloved and unforgettable music.

Actually, there is a contradiction in this album. One side the album title is “Pop Melayu”, but an other side one of it’s song admiring (and proclaiming) that the genre of the album is dangdut. Or may be the two were identic according to Favourite’s group? *

LP Album Javanesse Pop of Favourite's Group, The Second Album

Cassete Album Javanesse Pop of Favourite's Group, The First Album "Yuyu Kangkang"

A Rijanto was a prolific and flexible composer. He can compose songs in various genres and colours depending on colour voice of singer who will interpretate it. This opinion was commented by Rafika Duri, a pop singer who interpretated some A Rijanto’ songs. She said it when she performed in “A tribute to A Rijanto” Zona 80 Metro Teve in 2008.

So over all, actually his band Favourite’s group which consists of A Rijanto (leader, composer, keyboardist), Is Harijanto, Harry Toos, and a player I don’t remember his name, is not identic with A Rijanto. Check out this two albums “Yuyu Kangkang” (the first Javanesse-pop album) and the second album. Some songs have naughty lyrics which was closed to Is Hariyanto character rather than A Rijanto character. A Rijanto is a Jogjanesse who has a cool character.

Favourite’s group is a pop-band in the era of Koes Plus and A Rijanto’s contribution in music is much more than Favourite’s. *

LP Examasist (Musica record)

Examasist is a pop band more likely Iwan Fals-style and sometimes closed to Obbie Mesakhis-style. This album entitled Examasist consists of 8 songs, two of them “Kesaksian dari Kehitaman” and “Keluarga dalam Bencana” have catchy melodies and sounded sweet.

The songs were composed by Bambang Bule RT, Syaiful Haras, Helmie, Anto, and (wow… is this true?) Iwan Falls. It is shocking me that Iwan Falls (with doble l?, oh common…) engaged in making this album. Is he Iwan Falls as well-known by Indonesian music lovers as a prominent ballad singer? Examasist for me was and is a strange pop band. Released by Musica record with no date of releasing, I never hear this band name. and it’s song. But if they engaged Iwan Fals as one of their composers, so Examasist should be a distinguished band. So all readers, would you mind to give us more information about this band?*

Cassete Bahtera Asmara by Andi Meriem Mattalata (Musica, 1978)

Album Bahtera Asmara by singer Andi Meriem Mattalata under music director Yockie and Chrisye (published by Musica record, 1978) is one of 150 Best Indonesian Albums according to Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine (December, 2007).

This album is an other musical achievement of Yockie-Chrisye-Guruh-Eros collaboration. The genre is progressive-pop, but actually the most powerfull thing in this album is it’s magical melodies and it’s poetical lyrics. The arrangement is so far simple but perfect. And so far Andi Meriem is the best woman singer to interprete Chrisye’-like songs.

Andi Meriem is a lucky woman singer,  since she got the best musical achievement from Indonesian musicians. This album consists of 11 songs which were composed by prominent Indonesian composer such as Goeroeh Soekarnoputra, Yockie, Fariz RM, Anton Issudibyo, Roekanto, B Hariadi, Eros Djarot. All songs are hits, or at least cacthy melodies. And famous names were engaged as guest musicians, such as violinist Idries Sardi, Kiboud Maulana, and Uce F Tekol.

Yockie-Chrisye-Eros-like song lovers,  may be they have this album in cassete format. But do they have this album in longplay format? Not every body off course. But surely there is Bahtera Asmara album in lp format. What is the difference between the two? It is a same matter and a same version. The difference is the lp version only consists of 7 songs. The four songs which was excluded from lp format are Impian, Pilihan Hati, Merepih Alam, and Bulan Tolonglah Beta. *

LP Broery's Version of Badai Pasti Berlalu

Album entitled Badai Pasti Berlalu, an original soundtrack movie under music director Eros Djarot, which interpretated by singer Chrisye and arranger Yockie S. is the first best of 150 Best Albums according to Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine (December, 2007).

This is a highest appreciation on musical albums in Indonesia ever. And fortunately that so far there is no one did not agree with this appreciation. This album actually is an other version of the original album Badai Pasti Berlalu which was interpretated by singer Broery Pesulima (a.k.a. Broery Marantika) and arranger De Meicy band (released by Remaco, with no date of releasing). What is the difference between the two? Chrisye’s version consists of 12 songs, Broery’s version is only 7 songs. And surely, Chrisye’s version is more well crafted and arranged than Broery’s version. *

Album Chrisye's Version Badai Pasti Berlalu