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."