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Music of Indonesia, Vol. 19: Music of Maluku—Halmahera, Buru, Kei
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Artist
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Musicians of Desa Malapa, Kampung Waereman, Desa Sather & others.
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Label
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Smithsonian Folkways
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Format
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cutout CD
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Runtime/Release Date
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74'20/1999
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Label Number
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40446
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Daedalus Item Code
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17267
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List Price:
$17.00
Sale Price:
$5.98
$3.98
You Save:
$13.02
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Description
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Three islands in the vast province of Maluku ("the Moluccas")—Halmahera in the north, Buru in the center, and Kei Besar in the south—form one of the least-known regions of Indonesia. From Halmahera comes togal, entertainment music played on stringed instruments augmented by flute, drums, and a singer. From Buru the varied selection includes men's songs with drumming, an excerpt from a night-long sung narrative, Jew's harp pieces, and a gong ensemble. Aside from two ensembles of flute and percussion, the recordings from Kei Besar are mainly vocal: solos, a duo, and choruses offering advice, recounting history, and asserting territorial boundaries (an important use for songs in Maluku). There is also a rowing song sung by children. Finally, the focus shifts back to Halmahera and a dabus performance accompanied by singing and frame drums. In dabus, a Muslim ritual derived from Sufi practice, men stab themselves vigorously with iron awls, but the spiritual power of the ritual leader protects them from serious injury. This "monumental and enjoyable series" (New York Times) documents the music of the Indonesian archipelago, introducing dozens of beautiful and varied musical styles from throughout this complex island nation. Guitars and gamelans, flutes and drums, voices and brass bands contribute to a musical treasure trove that covers the gamut from ancient to popular roots-based urban music. Each hour-long CD is extensively annotated to place the performances in their regional and national contexts. "Music which could never before have been heard except by those few individuals who took the time and trouble to visit these mostly remote areas and had the good fortune to be able to witness the special occasions on which these pieces were normally performed…. One feels a kind of quiet joy in beholding this 20-disc compilation: first, because so much has been preserved, and second, because 'folk' music in Indonesia seems to be as active, prestigious, and vital a part of local cultures as it ever has been."—Journal of Southeast Asian Studies The folk music archives that form the wellspring of these Smithsonian recordings are truly incomparable. Encompassing a wide variety of styles, they reflect the heart, soul, and backbone of the American experience as well as indigenous music from around the world. Folkways' impeccable sound and documentation does these artists proud, setting their work off as the treasure it is.
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Music of Indonesia, Vol. 10: Music of Biak, Irian Jaya
| Grup Afyas, Grup Roruki, Grup Aryasi, Grup Wambarek & others. |
| Publisher: Smithsonian Folkways. Format: cutout CD. Label Number: 40426. Daedalus Item Code: 17264 |
List Price: $17.00 Sale Price: $5.98 $3.98
You Save: $13.02
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