Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Gong Lelambatan STSI (B.609)


Masterful performances by STSI throughout both sides of this great cassette. Their take on the venerable Tabuh Kutus Pelayon stands out; with classic telescoping lelambatan structure, evolving towards a gong-cycle sublime, and the interlocked gamelan super-focus required to articulate it all. The B side has some unusual choral accompaniment that hovers wonderfully amongst the shimmering metallic pulsations. Beautiful music by some of the most virtuosic musicians on Bali.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Kreasi Baru Beleganjur, Kapal - Badung (B.833)


Hard hitting and bruising Beleganjur performance courtesy of Sekehe Gong Puspa Werdi. Heavy in form, but fluid and torrential in execution; these four intense pieces capture a propulsive energy, full of much fervor. Great stuff!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Kreasi Genjek Stress 2 (B. 981)


Music for drinking, singing, and joyful abandon. Genjek is a fairly recent creation of the past few decades. Originating from the north/northeast of Bali, it's now become popular over much of the island. The name comes from the word 'gonjok' meaning 'joke'. Vital to any successful genjek session is tuak - a sweet & sour, milky wine beverage made from cocoanut palm flower. Potent and acidic, tuak is usually served from plastic jugs and consumed at room temperature (which, being the tropics, is not much colder than ones' own body temperature). Often there's some inadvertent dead ant garnish floating in the swill. Similar to drunkenness and punk rock, it's said that the more tuak consumed the better the genjek song. Listening to this tape and not intending any criticism, it does sound like the musician's are more pleasantly buzzed than wasted; it would be pretty tough to keep it together as well as they do if they were completely trashed! Besides, there's a lady singing and she wouldn't imbibe with the fellas.
Enjoy!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Thai Classical Music (TS-2027)


Fantastic tape of classical Thai music. Dig the cool court dancer profile, font mix, and glowing sunset artwork. Lovely.

Pilihan Khusus: Tabuh Lelambatan Vol. 9 (B.962)


In Bali there's a ceremonial repertoire for gamelan called Lelambatan (literally: slow music), the primary purpose of which is for entertaining visiting deities at the temple. Intensifying with an uncanny grace, the super-refined, complex structure of a lelambatan composition reveals itself in an almost organic way; articulating a sense of harmony between the human world and the greater celestial dimension. This exquisitely balanced sentiment also works to guide the mortal listener's mind towards the idea of a cosmos beyond while, simultaneously, defining their place relative to it. Yes, it's music for the Gods - but people get something too!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Kidung Wargasari: Diiringi Gong Degdog, Kaliakah - Negara (B.453)


More interesting music from the Kaliakah village in West Bali, home of the previously posted Angklung Reong. This tape combines solo Kidung Wargasari vocal poetics with gamelan gong accompaniment - a very nice reverent vibe captured. Enjoy!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Tabuh Lelambatan Klasik Gong Gede STSI Vol. 2 (B. 932)


Awesome followup volume to this mighty tape. Beatific, imposing gamelan compositions for exalted contemplation.