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? *

The English Version of Koes Plus

LP Koes Plus The Sixth Album

Koes Plus is actually the Indonesian pop band who has skill to composed songs in English language — with western musical taste. Look at this Koes Plus The Sixth Album, there are five songs in English language and bring western pop musical taste. Some Indonesians should remember a song entitled Why Do You Love Me, which after re-arranged by musician Erwin Gutawa in album A Tribute to Koes Plus, become a “new song”: melodious, great sound, orchestrated, and so on. *

Track list

Album: Koes Plus Volume 6

Artist: Koes Plus

Publisher: Mesra record, Dimita, no date release

Side I:

1. Kerinduan (Tonny K) – Yon K

2. Ibu dan Lagunya (Tonny K) — Tonny K/Yon K/Yok K

3. Tears Are Falling (Yok K) — Yon K/Yok K

4. Oh Kasihku (K.S.) — Yon K

5. Waktu Cepat Berlalu (Tonny K) — Tonny K

6. Friendly Love (Tonny K) — Tonny K/Yon K

Side II:

1. Hidup tanpa cinta (Murry) — Tonny K/Yon K

2. Tiada Jalan Lagi (Yon K) — Yon K

3. We Say Hallo (Tonny K) — Tonny K/Yon K/Yok K

4. Bukan Rahasia (Murry/Tonny K) — Yon K

5. Unhappy Shade (Murry/Tonny K) — Tonny K/Yon K./Yok K

6. How Much I Love You (Yok K) — Yok K/Tonny K/Yon K

*

Koes Plus The Third Album

LP Koes Plus The Third Album

To review and talk Koes Plus was over exposed. So let me talk such personal commentary only. I became familiar with Koes Plus firstly from his 8-th album or some, especially his song Kolam Susu (The Pool of Milk). And the first Koes Plus album I bought, was that album. In that time I never have his first until 7-th album. Luckily that last year I bought his second, third, sixth, nineth and tenth Koes Plus albums – all in LP formats.

In my first impression, Koes Plus is only such pop band with their simplicity in chord and harmony. The Indonesians called it “musik tiga jurus”. But after listening to album entitled Koes Plus Volume III (Dimita, April 1970), especially Kasih Sajang song, I realized that Koes Plus have their enough musical skill to compose such progressive pop. Song Kasih Sajang (Love and Empathy) was a composition based on accoustic guitar “juice” and little bit a beat progression. *

Track list

Album: Koes Plus Volume III

Artist: Koes Plus

Publisher: Mesra record, Dimita Moulding, Jakarta, no date release

Side 1:

1. Hujan Angin

2. Kasih Sajang

3. Sweet Memories

4. Selamat Tinggal

5. Selalu Gembira

6. Hari Jang Sutji

Side 2:

1. Lamunan

2. Bunga dan Remadja

3. Isi Hatiku

4. Kasih jang Sutji

5. Malam jang Sepi

6. Doa Sutjiku.

Children Song Dakocan

LP album Dakocan by Favourite group

This album entitled Dakocan by Favourite band is memorable and likely to be collected. It’s melody, sound, arrangement and so on are bringing us to our past live. Dakocan is supposed to be the best album of Favourite group. But because it is children songs, so Dakocan was forgotten by some Favourite’s lovers.

Favorite group is a pop band from Jakarta under direction A. Riyanto, a prolific composer, and musician. Since 1970, this band released several albums in various genres: pop, kerontjong, traditional pop Javanesse, children song and so on. This band was a pop band in the time of Koes Plus. *

*

Because of Benjamin

Benjamin Suaeb is one of reasons to collect this album entitled Akhir Sebuah Impian (The End of A Dream). According to Rolling Stone magazine (The Indonesian edition, or call it RSI), November 2008, Benjamin is one of among Indonesian musicians who have influence on contemporary Indonesian pop music. RSI called them The Immortal. David Bayu Danangjoyo, vocalist of Naif pop band, who wrote a commentary, said something about Benjamin, which could be concluded in three points; that Benjamin is a master of improvising; experimental one; and a truly Batavianesse traditional artist. *

Track list

Album: Akhir Sebuah Impian (OST)
Artists: Benjamin S, Broery Marantika, A Rijanto, Emilia Contessa
Band : Favourite Group
Publiiher: TS IBR. According to Shaz, our blog reader from Malaysia, it was released 1973.
Side A:
1. Biarkan Bunga Berkembang (Broery)
2. Jangan Lupa Janjimu
3. Cari Kawan Lain (Favourite’s Group)
4. Kecoak Nungging (Benjamin S)
5. Angin Malam (Broery)
6.Kasih Sayang

Sisi B:
1. Nasib Pengembara (Emilia, Broery)
2. Mimpi Sedih (Emilia)
3. Lagu Penghibur (Emilia, Benjamin)
4. Layu sebelum Mekar (Emilia, Broery)

*

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.

*

Javanesse Progressive Rock

Album entitled Sekar Mayang by singer and composer Gombloh and Lemontrees band (published by Golden record, 1977) is the one and only Javanesse progressive rock ever released in Indonesia. This album consists of 12 songs, some translated from Indonesianesse version such as Sekar Mayang (alias Hong Wilaheng in Indonesianesse version), some others are composed in Javanesse language.

Gombloh is truly Indonesian composer who mastered a progressive rock style and can play that music with his own style. And his works are mostly melodious. This album still reflects Gombloh idealism in music. All songs are Gombloh progressive rock version. *

Old Indonesian OST’s

Some original soundtrakcs (OST) are memorable as well as collectable. Check this album entitled OST from the film Cinta Pertama (published by Nirwana record). All music composed and arranged by violinist Idris Sardi, and interpretated by Anna Mantovani and Broery Pesolima. This album is truly superb, because may be this if the first debut of Idris Sardi as movie music composer.

Because it’s memorability, there is an album which compiled the most popular Indonesian OST’s. That album is Serenada, Lagu-lagu Film Indonesia Terpopuler (Ceepee record, 2001). The songs are Cinta Pertama, Romi & Yuli, Si Doel Anak Betawi, Dengan Puisi, Mimpi Sedih, Semalam di Malaya, Panggung Sandiwara, Tante Sun, Timang-timang, Dunia Belum Kiamat, Cinta, and Udang di Balik Batu. *

Discography:

1. Serenada, Lagu-lagu Film Indonesia Terpopuler (Ceepee record, 2001)

2. OST from the film Cinta Pertama (published by Nirwana record).

3. OST Akhir Sebuah Impian (Remaco record).

4. OST Jangan Biarkan Mereka Lapar (?).

The Rebel Musicians from University

The dangdut music group PSP (Pancaran Sinar Petromak) may be more popular among 80-ies Indonesian generation rather than Jaran Goyang, an other dangdut group which their members are students. In this album entitled Orkes Mahasiswa Jaran Goyang (published by DD, 1975), there are 14 songs. Some of them are Anak Jalanan (Guruh Sukarno Putra), Transmigran (Oni-Didik-Sigit), Bukannya (Didit), and Malioboro (Aki, Bono).

PSP members are students of Universitas Indonesia Jakarta, meanwhile Jaran Goyang members are students of Universitas Gajah Mada Yogyakarta, initially The Faculty of Architecture. Based on this different setting, these two group have their character. Jaran Goyang has more descriptive lyric and it’s theme is such advocation for grassroots and dangdut music. This mission can be read thru the song Bukannya (We are Not?): “Ini musik mereka, musik rakyat jelata, musik kita juga”. Dangdut is traditional music among grassroot people, so when students sing dangdut, it means the students who are usually from rich family, recognized dangdut as their music.

Meanwhile PSP’s lyric is humorous, satiric, parody, and social portrait. Their dangdut was actually not intended to enhance the quality of dangdut music. It was closed to parody and cynism, although their rejected this claim as can be heard from the dialogs between songs in album entitled Trio Kodok (PSP, published by DD record). “Mereka bilang kami mengkomersialisasi dangdut, memperkosa dangdut”, somebody said to oppose that opinion.

The character of their music is also little bit different. PSP is more experimental which combine several genres from classic, jazz, western with dangdut. It sounded more relax and playful. Meanwhile Jaran Goyang is closed to classic dangdut and monotonous. Whatever, at last PSP is more popular than Jaran Goyang, even PSP got a best appreciation from Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine (December, 2007) that one of PSP album entitled PSP Warung Kopi Prambors (published by DD record, 1979) became among 150 Indonesian Best Albums. *

Gambang Kromong Songs of Lilis Suryani

Lilis Suryani was popular as pop singer with some hits like songs Gang Kelintji, Genjer-genjer, Cing Tulungan, and so on. In pop scene, she was everything. But why she sang gambang kromong songs? I don’t know the reason. But what must be noticed that her gambang kromong songs were not published in an album, as you can check in this album by Benyamin and Inneke Kusumawati (produced by Mutiara, with no date releasing) with no title. For Lilis admirer and lover, sure this is album is rare. And may be this album is not yet recognized as her list of discography. *