Sinten Remen's new album due for release

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

After their success in staging Teater Gandrik's theatrical performance Mas Tom in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Butet Kertaredjasa and Djaduk Ferianto are now back to work.

The two siblings are now busy preparing another show titled Pertoendjoekan Hiboeran (Entertainment Show) for the launching their Sinten Remen Orchestra's new album Komedi Putar (Merry-Go- Round).

Pertoendjoekan Hiboeran as well as the album launching will take place at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center's Graha Bhakti Budaya in Cikini, Central Jakarta on July 15.

"Although this is the launching of our album, it is not simply a promotional event. We want it to be an art and cultural event as well," said Djaduk, the orchestra's leader, at his Kua Etnika musical studio in Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Set up in 1998, Sinten Remen Orchestra is a music group in the spirit of keroncong, traditional Javanese music and song. At first, the group performed only at university campuses. It provided the sound track for one of Garin Nugroho's films, Daun Diatas Bantal (Leaf on a Pillow).

The upcoming show, will feature singer Tri Utami, Butet and comedians Eko Bebek and Dibyo of Yogyakarta.

Komedi Putar will be the orchestra's second album. The first, titled Parodi Iklan (Ad Parody), was produced in 1999 in a limited number of some 3,000 cassettes. It quickly sold out.

"Parodi Iklan was sold at selected outlets only but Komedi Putar will be distributed more widely and mass-produced in the form of cassettes and CDs," said Djaduk.

For the production of the second album, the orchestra worked in cooperation with a Jakarta producer and the distribution will be handled by Triawan Munaf, father of child-singer Sherina. The video clips will be entrusted to Agung Dewa as the director and Momot as the cameraman.

The second album, according to Djaduk, has been produced at the right time as it reflects the present condition of our society.

Lyrics of songs like Komedi Putar, Janji Palsu (False Promise) and Kere Trendy (Trendy Poor Man) reflect the present political conditions in this country, he said. Other songs are composed by, among others, Caping Gunung (Mountain Broad-Rimmed Hat) by legendary songwriter Gesang, Patah Hati (Broken Heart) by composer-singer Rahmat Kartolo and Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver.

"Although the songs come from various backgrounds, we maintain the character of Sinten Remen Orchestra, that is the spirit of keroncong music. We work on the keroncong spirit, recycle it and translate it into a new form in terms of the beat, melody and tempo. Then, we use other elements outside keroncong like reggae, jazz, country, samba and dangdut (music reminiscent of Hindi and Arabic music). Even our appearance in the video clips is 'punkish'," said Djaduk, who directed Mas Tom.

Another characteristic of the orchestra, he added, is the theme. Keroncong songs generally dwell on natural beauty, romance or love, but the group's songs focus on many things, like scenes from daily life. For instance, in Janji Palsu (False Promise) the original lyrics talk about love but they were changed to give the song social content.

"We want keroncong to be close to the present generation -- funkier. We also want it to be enjoyed by those who are not from Javanese communities," Djaduk said. "In Yogyakarta and Central Java, most radio stations air keroncong music for the elderly and the program is usually aired at night."

The second album's songs are more humorous in term of its music. Kere Trendy, for instance, tells about urban communities by combining guitar melodies of samba and reggae, while John Denver's Leaving on a Jet Plane is heavy with keroncong beats. Gesang's Caping Gunung is not melodious as most of the composer's songs. It is belted out by Tri Utami in Sundanese style and accompanied by rock 'n roll music.

The 10-song album will be produced in 30,000 cassettes and 3,000 CDs.

"Apart from relying on the producer for its marketing, we also rely on our loyal fans. We also plan to tour various cities in Java to promote the second album. We will try our best to make our show as attractive as possible," Djaduk promised.