Relief album to help the needy launched

Relief album to help the needy launched

JAKARTA (JP): Fifty artists launched an album on Saturday
called Tembang Peduli (Songs that Care) with the aim of helping
raise social awareness during the current crisis.

Produced by Dwiki Dharmawan, head of the Indonesian Fantasy
Orchestra, at a cost of Rp 600 million (US$80,000), the 10-song
album involves local drama actors, musicians and songwriters.

"Sales from the album will be handed over to foundations
nationwide via the Dompet Dhuafa foundation," said Dwiki, who is
also president of Kita Music, a distribution company for musical
instruments.

Dwiki said that the theme song of the album was penned by
himself and his friend Agus Dipayana, while the others were by
the finalists of a contest held two years ago.

"A nationwide contest for social songs held in 1996 resulted
in 556 entries. Due to financial problems, entries were reviewed
this year," he said.

"Of the 556 entries, 10 were selected," he said. Artists who
helped Dwiki in the project included singers Anang, Gito Rollies,
Ita Purnamasari, Ikang Fawzi, Oppie Andaresta, Trie Utami, Nia
Zulkarnaen, Neno Warisman and Teddy Tarlanda.

The album's distribution is being handled by PT Ciptadaya
Prestasi, which is headed by Tantowi Yahya.

Tantowi said that 10,000 cassettes had already been
distributed and he expected sales to reach 100,000 within three
months.

"We are only charging Rp 1,000 per cassette sold, for
administration and distribution fees," he said.

"We are doing this for the poor... we heard that some 80
million people are living below the poverty line." (ylt)