It was seven years ago that Sambasunda came to our attention in Europe with the release of Rahwanas Cry. On the Network Medien label it had the iconic image of 17 youthful purveyors of Sundanese music and pioneers of the gamalan, bursting with energy and all sporting the team colours of turquoise scarves. Now they're back as a new project, the Sambasunda Quintet with a chart topping new album and ready to tour the UK. Read the press release in the full article.
Press release: The Sambasunda Quintet ready to tour the UK create music of ethereal beauty centered on the kacapi, a traditional boatshaped zither. Spacious and stripped down, deeply rooted in tradition, yet highly inventive – allow the sounds of Java to transport you to the Indonesian archipelago and beyond.
The Sambasunda collective are internationally renowned for their fresh approach to the traditional music of West Java. The group’s album, Rahwana’s Cry, was recently featured in the article ‘The Life of Songlines in 75 Albums’, reinforcing their standing as some of the most dynamic and original innovators on the contemporary world music scene.
Following on from such success, the new Riverboat Records release, Java, features a quintet of musicians from the larger collective, a new and creative offshoot. Whilst retaining the influence of their previous work, the smaller ensemble allows for a lighter, more spacious sound that illuminates a new and imaginative artistic direction. Java reflects the enduring classical tradition of Sundanese music whilst creating something both modern and wholly original. The music is centred upon the ensemble’s sensitive use of the kacapi, a boat-shaped zither which has been heard in the honeyed, mellifluous music of Sunda (West Java) for centuries. In addition to the sounds of haunting kacapis, female vocals, violin, suling (bamboo flute) and khendang and kulenter drums are also heard.
Although the instrumentation is traditional the music is performed with a distinctly urban rhythmic accent, reflecting influences of local and international pop music prevalent in West Java’s thriving capital city, Bandung. One of the most striking tracks on the album, ‘Paddy Pergi Ke Bandung’ (‘Paddy Goes To Bandung’) spotlights Sambasunda’s eclectic global inspirations. As the name suggests, the track is a dynamic take on Irish and Indonesian traditional music. The result is an upbeat, engaging track which displays the impressive musicianship of the ensemble. Other tracks are takes on standards from the Tembang Sunda repertoire, such as the pensive opening track, ‘Bulan Sapasi’ (‘Crescent Moon’). The poetic song tells of a lover’s tryst as witnessed by the moon.
Other tracks take their inspiration from children’s songs, kliningan gamelan music, and Cianjuran style. Whilst some are new compositions: the track, ‘Kapege (Mun Pareng Patepung)’ is a contemporary work based around the story of a couple impatiently waiting to meet each other. Infused with a contagious energy, Sambasunda are the most exciting musical voice out of the Indonesian archipelago today. Their groundbreaking album, Java builds on their past success as renowned innovators, and forges a stunning new sound for the rest of the world to discover.
Buy a copy of Java
Tour dates.
