Indonesia's most favorite Bimbo

Indonesia's most favorite Bimbo

By Rita A. Widiadana

JAKARTA (JP): For many people, Ramadhan is the time to listen
to Bimbo.

You can't get away from them. Their music fills the malls and
halls of hotels, and, of course, every Moslem household.

Bandung's Bimbo Group teams the talented brothers Muhammad
Samsudin Hardjakusuma (Sam Bimbo), Darmawan Hardjakusuma (Acil)
and Jaka Hardjakusuma, and their youngest sister Iin Parlina.

After getting going in l967, Bimbo now has 117 pop and qasidah
religious albums to its credit.

"The name Bimbo was given to us by Hamid Gruno when we first
appeared on state-owned TVRI. Only years later did we learn its
true meaning. Bimbo means 'poor' in Japanese, while in Mexican it
means 'bread for breakfast'," Jaka disclosed.

He didn't seem to know that in English a bimbo is an
attractive but empty-headed person, or a tramp.

Bimbo, which was shortened from Trio Bimbo when the brothers'
sister joined, offered Indonesians an unique alternative to the
1960s rock'n'roll of the Beatles, Elvis Presley and the Rolling
Stones. Trio Bimbo chose to explore folk music, accompanying
their lyrics with acoustic instruments.

Born to noted journalist Raden Dayat Hardjakusuma, the musical
siblings all graduated from prominent Bandung universities.

Their bold and beautiful songs grabbed the hearts of the
middle and upper classes in the 1960s.

"Many people called our music intellectual. I don't know why,"
said Jaka.

Trio Bimbo produced the early hits Flamboyan, Melati dari
Jayagiri and Telah Berdaun Rimba Jati. Many critics considered
the songs to be high quality.

In the middle of l970s, Iin, who sings like top Brazilian
singer Astrud Gilberto, joined the group. They produced more hits
including the song Serani di Noda, about a nun who betrays her
vows.

Critical

In l977, Bimbo released an album critical of Indonesian
society. Tante Sun, a hit song from the album, is about the life
of the rich Indonesian women who spend their money on nothing.
Abang Becak, tells a sad story about a pedicab driver.

Bimbo tried to convey its message with funny lyrics, but was
criticized for lowering the quality of its music.

The group also wrote songs with international themes including
Surat buat Tuan Brezhnev dan Tuan Reagan (A letter for Mr.
Brezhnev and Mr. Reagan).

Bimbo also performed many songs written by Titik Puspa, Iwan
Abdul Rahman, and the late A. Riyanto.

In l976, Bimbo produced a qasidah album of religious songs.
Prominent poet and ulema Taufiq Ismail wrote the lyrics.

"A man who can create poetic lyrics must have a deep
understanding of Islam. Taufiq Ismail was the right man," he
said.

Bimbo also asked ulema K.H. Zainuddin M.Z to help write
religious lyrics.

The results were amazing. The simple and short lyrics touched
Moslems.

Many Moslems sob when hearing Rindu Rasul (Miss the Prophet),
which was jointly composed by Sam and Taufiq Ismail in the early
l970s.

Musicians often write about things they don't know about. This
results in meaningless songs, he said.

"We must learn how to measure our knowledge and potency," he
added.

Sam admitted the group has been influenced by western music.
Its early attempts echo Spanish music.

"I love the music of Queen, the Beatles, Pavarotti as well as
traditional Sundanese music like Cianjuran. There is no denying
that we might absorb various elements from traditional and modern
music," Sam once said.

He claimed good music is universal. It should encompass all
nations, people and religions.

"For me, music is a priceless gift from God and I will play it
for every one," he said.

A song entitled Tuhan (God) is one of Bimbo's best. Written by
Sam in l973, the song can be heard everywhere. The song is sung
by both Moslem and Christian choirs.

"A group of Buddhists once asked me to play the song at one of
their gatherings," Sam said.

Bimbo's audience encompasses young and old from different
walks of life.

Keeping ahead of the competition isn't a problem. "We don't
see younger musicians as competition, they have their own fans,"
Sam explained. Having a 30-year head start must help.

This Ramadhan, Indosiar Visual Mandiri asked the group to host
a daily special called Irama Ramadhan (The sound of Ramadhan).

Bimbo also perform throughout Indonesia and in neighboring
countries like Malaysia.

"We will play music for the rest of our lives. 'Old soldiers
never die'," Sam warned.