The Identity of Atik CB

Two of Atik CB' albums

Atik CB is one of Indonesian singers who has an unique character. Because of that, listeners will easily recognize her voice. But that character was not suddenly recognized in her albums which released in her early carrier. Look at this album Nusantara 7 (produced by Yulia, and distributed under label Asia record, on early 80-ies estimated). Interpretated the songs composed by A Riyanto, Atik CB in her early carrier did not yet find her identity. The songs in this album are poor pop (pop cengeng). It is very different from her albums later in 1990-ies. Such as album Kekang (distributed by Blackboard record, on August 1990). This album should be categorized as progressive pop. And this such genre was closed to Atik CB identity until now.*

Ten Best Islamic Religious Albums

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) *

Ten Songs for Indonesia’s Anniversary

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 Miliki 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. *

A Witness of Rendra

Some poetries of Indonesian prominent poet Rendra were also interpretated thru musical expression. At least there are 3 albums to be mentioned: Kelompok Kampungan “Mencari Tuhan” (Akurama record, 1979), Bung Karno Milik Rakyat Indonesia, Bram Kampungan (Musica, 1999), and Kantata Takwa (Royal Prima Musikindo, Airo, 1992).

The first two albums of Kelompok Kampungan are same matter, but with different arrangement. The first was the original one, and the second was the re-arrangement version. Unfortunately that the second version was bad in recording, and not completely presenting all songs. Song entitled Kesaksian was excluded from the second version, may be because the tape is not enough to record all songs.

Talking about this song Kesaksian (A Witness) is important. This poet and this lyric is very poetic, powerful, and has strong message.

Orang-orang harus dibangunkan

Kesaksian harus diberikan

Agar kehidupan tetap terjaga

(People should be awaken

A witness should be given

In order the live to be watched over.)

This song was interpretated by both Kelompok Kampungan and Kantata Takwa. The differerence is Kampungan’s interpretation closed to Rendra’s character or rebel spirit, meanwhile Kantata’s interpretation is closed to musician Yockie’s character or soft, melodious and touching. *

A Rare Jacky

Jacky in album Gairah Baru (Purnama record)

This album entitled Gairah Baru by singer and musician Jacky (published by Purnama record, no date release) is new at least for me. May be Indonesian 80-ies generation were not aware enough toward this  singer in 1980-ies. Jacky for some music lovers may be no body. But if they listen to this album, their perception will be changed. This album is such progressive pop album which was well crafted and arranged. Some of songs have cacty melodies and sound melodious. The album was engaged by famous names such as Fariz Rustam Munaf, Uce F. Tekol, Karim, Pretty sisters and so on. *

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.

*

Gombloh on Radio

Gombloh is cited as one of 25 bigest Indonesian singers all the time according to Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine in it’s new edition this year. For foreigners, may be Gombloh’s name is still strange. But actually foriegners can try to taste musical works of Gombloh thru this album On Radio (GL record). Gombloh translated his song Di Radio, into english version. This album is such compilation of various singers such as Memory of Bangkok (Made in Thailand, Made in USA), Boy Goerge (Everything I Own), and so on.

But don’t make any conclusion about Gombloh musical works thru this very-pop-even-poor-pop song. On Radio is an other face of musical works by Gombloh. This song is his poor-pop version, because as composer and singer, Gombloh also need to fulfill his basic economy, so that he composed a commercial works. Gombloh actually was a composer par exellence. His music could be categorized as folk-rock-progressive. *

Timor Timur Songs

Unce upon time in history, Timor Timur is part of indonesian territory. But after referendum in 1999, Timor Timur separated from Indonesia and declared as a new nation. That is Timor Leste.

Unce upon time in Indonesia, some Timor Timur musicians made and released pop-ethnic music album, such as album entitled Duni Ami: Lagu-lagu Timor Timur (Volume 3), composed by Pedro Vas, with vocalists Ros S. and Pedro Vas (produced by Atika record, 1988).

This album contains 12 songs, which categorized as ethnic-pop with Timor Timur language. The music sounded like traditional music from Spanish, or Indonesian keroncong, or OPM (Original Philippine Music). The question is after separated from Indonesia, who belongs to this culture? *

The Reborn of Jogjaness Composer

Ambar Polah is a Jogjaness composer, popular in that city in early 1980. He has ever contributed three songs for album Ya Robbi by Gita Sahara Musik Muslim Universitas Islam Indonesia (Perwira record, 1983). In 1982/1983, his song entitled Yogyakarta became one of 10 best songs compiled under the title 10 lagu Terbaik Hasil Lomba Cipta Senandung Yogyakarta. (Irama Mas record, 1982-1983). These two albums are likely to be collected, because those are crafted seriously although not succes commercially.

Finally, Ambar Polah comes back in front of Jogjaness audience. On October 4, 2008, he played music with his band Pressiden Band in the park of JogjaTV, for celebrating Jogja anniversary. “This is my first appearance after 10 years disbanding,” Ambar Polah said in the television. He said also that he will release an album entitled Satu Bendera this coming January 2009. I appreciate Ambar Polah as some one who has ever give a creative atmosphere in Jogja city, my birth place. *

The Honesty of Utha Likumahua

Indonesian singer Utha Likumahuwa in his interview with Sonora radio station on August 2008 said that before he sing progressive pop (the Indonesians called it creative pop), he ever released two albums which were not popular. So far Utha has released 9 albums, such as Aku Pasti Datang (Jackson record, 1985) which is noticed by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine as one of 150 Best Indonesian Album All The Time.

Utha’s name got it’s popularity when he released a single song Tersiksa Lagi from album Nada dan Irama (Granada record). In the first not popular album, one song is Hati yang Terluka which later interpretated by singer Iis Sugianto. Iis herself ever released a pop progressive album with Fariz Rustam Munaf in album entitled Selangkah ke Seberang (Pramaqua, 1979). But Iis failed to get her popularity thru this song, and become very succesful then in poor pop albums like Obbie Mesakhist’ songs such as Hati yang Terluka.  It’s funny but true. *