Padma Kencana Vol. 4 "Tabuh Gede" (Aneka 569)

Here's a cool tape of sublime lelambatan performances courtesy of Padma Kencana. I have a good handful of other Padma Kencana tapes that I'll try to post in the future - almost all are quite topnotch.

(Padma Kencana Vol. 4 "Tabuh Gede" (Aneka 569).rar - 134MB)

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.

Gong Lelambatan STSI (B.609)

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!

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

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

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

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

Tabuh Lelambatan Klasik Gong Gede STSI Vol. 1 (B 931)

More gamelan gong gede, this time from STSI - Bali's premier college of the arts. Truly sublime compositions that unfold like stratified mandalas, and effect time for reverence of the deities sacred dimension. There's a second volume to this which is just as good - I'll post that later. 

Tabuh Lelambatan Klasik Gong Gede STSI Vol. (B 931)

Gong Gede: Kembang Wangi - Volume 4 (Aneka 1212)

Here's a cool tape of Bali's largest type of gamelan - the awesome gamelan gong gede. With a repertoire and colossal sound created specifically to call the gods to attention, it exudes heaviness. It also functions as one of Bali's most enduring sonic connections with a bygone era of royal courts and spectacular ceremonies. I'm in the dark about the vocals that show up throughout side A - they sound great though.

Gong Gede: Kembang Wangi - Volume 4 (Aneka 1212)

Tape Warble Ramble

I've always been fond of warped tape sound - it's a feature of the medium. Instead of dismissing the whole package as damaged beyond interest, I usually try to embrace the phenomena in some way if I encounter it. Certainly there are times when it'd be nice to have the option to hear the original recording unaffected. In my experience cassette tapes from the Balinese ANEKA label (a scruffy, slightly awkward alternative to the mighty Bali Record) seem to be afflicted about half the time with some sort of warped weirdness. The cassette pictured above (from which this short gilak tune comes from) is a good example - the entire B side is empty, while the A side warbles throughout. You can also see that the little pressure pad thingy that sits under the tape has become dislodged and free floating - that being a simple fix. Once the tape is stretched though it's warble city all the way. I usually ask the vendor to "test" the tape before purchasing - they don't mind, they know the drill - it's the final quality control check before the thing heads out into the world to be forgotten or repeat itself until it dies.