Kantata group adds life to local music scene

Kantata group adds life to local music scene

By Helly Minarti

JAKARTA (JP): Among the roaring new talents blossoming on the
Indonesian music scene, a few old crackerjacks in the Kantata
group showed at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta that they can still
sparkle.

Setiawan Djodi, popular singer Iwan Fals, keyboardist Jocky S.
Prayogo, bassist Donny Fatah, Toto Tewel, Sawung Jabo and Doddy
Kaswara performed in concert to a limited audience to promote
their second album Kantata Samsara on Feb. 7.

Local music lovers are familiar with the members of Kantata,
most of whom are prominent vocalists and musicians whose works
can be traced back to the late l970s. Setiawan Djodi is better
known as a prominent businessman and music producer.

Kantata left its mark on the local music map with its debut
album Kantata Takwa, which sold more than 500,000 copies in l991.

Now, the members plan to strengthen their foothold in the
domestic music arena with their second album Kantata Samsara. As
Djodi puts it, "We now focus more on social issues, humanitarian
and ecological problems, and the relationship between men and
nature and men and their neighbors."

Samsara's 11 songs reflect the group's new approach to music.
"The path we take is only a continuation of our existence in the
local music world. Kantata Takwa, which mostly dealt with the
vertical relationship between human beings and their creator, is
the foundation of our second album," explained Djodi.

The album was produced in 17 days in a remote villa in
Tawangmangu, near Yogyakarta. Singer-musician Sawung Jabo said,
"When we planed to produce another album, we were not intending
anything complicated. The most important thing was the inner
contact between us."

That is what was so striking in concert.

The song Nyanyian Preman (the Hoodlum Song) is a collaboration
between Sawung Jabo and Jocky S. Prayogo, who composed the music.
Poet W.S. Rendra wrote the lyrics and energized the melody with
his shrewd ability to catch street life as reflected in his many
expressive poems.

Each of the group's members was free to bring out his own
talent, yet together they reached a harmony that overcame their
egos. One of the best received songs of the night was Pangeran
Brengsek (Prince Jerk) sung by Sawung Jabo. The lyrics were
written by Djodi, Iwan Fals and Jabo, while Jocky handled the
musical arrangement. Of the learning process, Jocky said:
"Sometimes it is sweet, but often it's bitter. We learn how to
work by respecting other's opinion."

In Anak-Anak Zaman (the Kids of the Era), Djodi collaborated
harmoniously with Iwan. The group's commitment to social issues
was also expressed in the rock ballad Lagu Buat Penyaksi (Song
for a Witness), which they dedicated to the death of journalist
Muhammad "Udin" Syarifuddin. The song, composed and written by
Iwan, recalls a tribute once written by Djodi to the late
Muhammad Hatta, former vice president and a noble statesman who
died in l980.

The group questions the country's political system in Panji
Panji Demokrasi (Banner of Democracy), composed and written by
Jabo. Love and eroticism also appear on the album in Asmaragama
and Bunga Matahari (Sunflower). Another element that sneaks
beautifully into their music is the Javanese element in Langgam
Lawu (Song of Lawu).

Acting as music director, Jocky said that he enjoyed making
the new album.

"I came to understand that music is a tool to interact with
people. Each of us in Kantata has a big ego stemming from our
different musical backgrounds. Yet we try to respect our
diversity and set ourselves free from any musical format. It is
not about jazz, rock, pop or any other music genre," he said.

Jabo shared his view. "We tried our best to control our
emotions and not have a pakewuh attitude," he said in reference
to a Javanese term referring to people's reluctance to express
their real feelings.

Music critic Franky Raden views Kantata as an interesting
phenomenon in the Indonesian music world.

"It is rare to have such a group. Among the young-spirited
rock musicians who are so good technically but kind of slow to
absorb the genuine wit and social side of rock music, Kantata
offers something different," said Franky.

Today's rock music lacks theatrical elements and other visual
aspects, said Franky. But with the emergence of Kantata,
something refreshing is offered by the older generation, who,
commented Franky, "have a vision to recontextualize rock music in
Indonesia."