Music of Indonesia, Vol. 13: Kalimantan Strings

by MUSIC OF INDONESIA 13: KALIMANT

Overview

Volume 13 of the Folkways collection Music of Indonesia, Kalimantan Strings is an exposition of the stringed instruments of the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo. The album covers six ethnic groups: the Kayan Mendalam from West Kalimantan, the Ot Danum from West Kalimantan, the Ngaju (who believe they are descendants of the Ot Danum) from Central Kalimantan, and the Kutai, the Kenyah Lepoq Tau, and the Kenyah Umaq Jalan, all from East Kalimantan. The stringed instruments vary from sapes, which are vaguely boat-shaped lutes, to the fiddle rabap. As a special treat, Syaer Sua is present on this album, the best active karungut singer. Further on, Sawiyah plays her gambus (plucked lute) with amazing skill, and the Eastern sampeq is played with virtuosity by various musicians in duets. These sampeq duets are actually somewhat contradictory to themselves, as they are dance tunes that aren't used for dancing (too long for dancers, they get tired). Overall, the music is rather exceptional, in that Folkways generally keeps it authentic, and it is enjoyable musically as well. If a listener has an interest in Indonesian music (other than gamelan), they should find this recording quite pleasant. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	11/18/1997
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074042922
Rank:	249133

Tracks

1. Paron
2. Three Dance Tunes
3. Lupaak Avun
4. Tingang Kuai
5. Tumbang Gaya
6. Karungut Saritan Nampui Kambang
7. Cak-Cakun
8. Jauh Di Mata
9. Ayun Anak
10. Pahampangan
11. Sampeq Penihing
12. Samqiq Urau
13. Sampeq Lepoq

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Suling   Primary Artist
2 Ketipung   Primary Artist
Gambus   Primary Artist
Sampeq Duet   Primary Artist
Rabap   Primary Artist
Kayan Mendalam   Primary Artist
Ot Danum   Primary Artist
Harran Ajaang   Vocals
Abdurrahim   Vocals
Zaman   Ketipung
Herman   Ketipung,Gambus

Technical Credits

Philip Yampolsky   Compilation Producer,Liner Notes,Research,Engineer
Asep Nata   Photography,Assistant Engineer,Research
Ot Danum   Performer
Stephanie Morgan   Research
Kayan Mendalam   Performer
Susana Hiroh   Research
Paul Blakemore   Mastering