The Season of Idul Fitri

The season of Idul Fitri is actually also a moment for party and festival. So it is also a moment for musical celebration. In this season, it is a smart idea to release an album with Idul Fitri as a subject. This was what have done by Elfa Singers with an album entitled Lebaran (Team record, 1990), Dwiki Dharmawan with an album Tembang Lebaran (Sony Music, 1999), and a group called Samba Sunda with an album Takbiran (Gema Nada Pertiwi, 2000).

Elfa Singer’s album is an other success of Lebaran song, as preceded by Oslan Hussein and Ismail Marzuki. Song Selamat Hari Lebaran by Elfa is truly as melodious as Oslan Husein’s and Ismail Marzuki’s version. But off course, Elfa’s song is sounded modern. Please play these abums in this season. Happy Idul Fitri, all dear moslems. *

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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) *

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. *

Rendra’s Poetry Reading

Willibrordus Surendra Broto Rendra, a.k.a. Rendra (1935-2009) who passed away on August, 5, was a poet, playwright (dramatist), actor, director, cultural critic, and social activist. May God bless him. For Indonesians, Rendra was a such charismatic artist, most likely Tawfiq al-Hakim for Egygtians. The way Rendra reads poetry in front of audience is amazing and influencing. Rendra was truly a maestro in poetry and drama.

His books are about 10 books, such as Potret Pembangunan dalam Puisi (1980), and Blues untuk Bonnie (1970). His drama performances such as Bipbop and Kasidah Barzanji. Rendra also played on movie such as Titian Serambi Dibelah Tujuh. His drama performance may be recorded but not sale commercially. Thank God that his poetry readings were recorded, although not many as Emha Ainun Nadjib’s poetry reading records.

This cassette “Kumpulan Puisi dan Sajak Bersama Rendra” was released by Blackboard record Jakarta on August, 1998. This album is such poetry reading (solo and duet with guest star Lies Hady Shandy), and ambience music by Shandy ASW for it’s background. The poetries are Sajak Joki Tobing untuk Widuri, Paman Doblang, Sajak Rajawali, and so on. My review: this album is okey and collectable. But the concept of album is bad, because the music is not designed for the poetry. *