This album showcases a unique style of Gamelan created as a reaction to the governments ban on rock and roll. Armed with gongs, bronze keys, drums and vocals, these musicians voice a rock spirit in the most graceful way possible. Featured are Jaipongans most legendary performers, Idjah Hadjijah on vocals and the famed Jugala group of West Java.
Jaipongan developed out of a musical genre of ritual and celebration called ketuk-tilu (three kettle gongs). Ketuk-tilu is known for complex drumming coordinated with equally dynamic solo female dancers. These performances also include a rebab, a small upright bowed instrument, a gong, and, of course, the ketuk-tilu, three kettle gongs. The original performance context of this music revolved around planting and harvesting rituals. Over time, ketuk-tilu became an outlet for village life, expressing fertility, sensuality, eroticism, and, at times, socially accepted prostitution.
In 1961, President Sukarno placed a ban on Western music most specifically rock and roll ostensibly to revive traditional Indonesian arts. This constricting policy did, however, have some creative outcomes: for instance, it inspired the composer/choreographer Gugum Gumbira to creatively expand and retrofit the dynamic and intense ketuk-tilu music. Working with ketuk-tilu as a basis, Gumbira brought in the gamelan and modified the accompanying dance. The modifications retained some of the original sensual moves, joining to them a popular martial art called pencack silat. Gumbira also brought new emphasis to the role of singer, allowing the performers to concentrate solely on their voices. Thus a new art form was created.
The repressed musical environment couldnt banish the growing new expression of socially acceptable sensuality. On the contrary, it fueled it, combining with a booming cassette recording industry and enabling Jaipongan to sweep Java in unprecedented ways.
This is exciting: still gamelan, but much more percussive in approach, with complex, changing tempos. The musicians are really keyed into the singer. Given the description above, I feel that I should relate it in some way to Rock, which wouldn't be appropriate, but it does give me the impression as being a source for Peter Gabriel's third and fourth albums. It can be had at the labels shop for a donation as little as $1.
@elwoodicious: I've bought only the first so far. I want to be sure of the series' quality first. I'll pick out four more later today, save the rest of the series for sometime when I need a quick music fix and cheapies are nowhere in sight.
Likewise, elwoodicious makes me realize there needs to be more "world" music in my rotation. I believe this is my favorite of the re-issue crop this year.
Minimal yet playful, Degung is the musical autograph of the people of West Java. This album features some of the regions most famous musicians, including the legendary Ujang Suryana. Gamelan degung is played on very few instruments, allowing the character of each melody line to shine forth brightly.
Comments
Thom is making me realize there needs to be more Four Tet in my rotation.
Likewise, elwoodicious makes me realize there needs to be more "world" music in my rotation. I believe this is my favorite of the re-issue crop this year.
The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue - Didja Get Any Onya?
Ps: "Directly" is featuring Sugar Cane Harris on violin.
I'm with Bad Thoughts this morning. Damn fine music. Damn fine.
Funny coincidence; I was just talking about this on Craig's reggae thread.
Nice find on that Java stuff; I know what I'm buying tonight.
@Bad Thoughts, splurge as the quality is fantastic so far as my mild ear infection is letting me hear.
So far I am in absolute love with this series and am now in deep rec debt with Bad Thoughts.
So happy about this and the absence of holiday music in the house today.
This album is b-a-n-a-n-a-s, bananas. My favorite so far.
The opening track is so very pretty.
@Bad Thoughts, I'm one of those obsessive listeners and this series hit my habit something hard. ;-)
Want to know why the dude is wearing a leather jacket? Because he's a total bad ass on the kacapi.
Highly recommended if you like Dengue Fever.
i am listening to anthony braxton - 3 compositions of new jazz.
Mellow, yet strangely danceable.
Cookie baking beats.
Bluegrass for kids: perfect for my little boy.
Parks - Umber
I think this is my favorite Infraction release, and one of my favorite ambient albums. Delightfully melodic, moody, and varied.
Magic Fingers - She Painted Up Her Face - Penis Dimention