Tags: Indonesian

Review: A decade has now passed since the birth of Harry 'Munir' Septiandry's Midnight Runners project, a studio outfit turned live band whose sound mines South-East Asian funk, soul and disco for inspiration. The Indonesian outfit's latest release, 'Nusantra Tropic Disco Volume 1', is arguably one of its' strongest yet. Rich in vintage 1970s synth sounds, tropical colour and live grooves that variously draw on disco, jazz-funk and library music, it feels fresh and exciting despite its nostalgic inspirations and authentic period instrumentation. Highlights include, but are no way limited to, vibrant and percussive disco opener 'Kaliuga', the spacey and warming 'Ratna and Galih' and soaring, future peak-time Indonesian disco anthem 'Kasih Bersemi'.

Review: Funky Kromong Vol. 2 builds on the success of its predecessor with another bold and bright selection of tracks by legendary Indonesian artist Benyamin Suaeb for Lamunai Records. This volume highlights Suaeb's genius for fusing traditional Betawi music with infectious funk grooves and witty satire. Tracks like 'Kompor Meleduk', 'Cong-Cong Balicong', and 'Koboi Ngungsi' capture his signature humour and cultural insight while offering fresh energy for new generations. The seamless blend of traditional and modern instruments results in a timeless soundscape that honours Indonesia's musical heritage. Vol. 2 is both a nostalgic tribute and a bold, joyful celebration of innovation.

Review: Eternal Love's 'L'Amore E' EP pulses with a fresh blend of nostalgic and modern electronic elements. The duo expertly reimagines their Italian heritage, layering synths, driving percussion, and airy vocals to create a vibrant, immersive soundscape. Featuring collaborations with Marquis, Marianne Mirage, and Dea Barandana, the EP explores themes of love, passion and joy, all infused with infectious rhythms. Each track offers a unique take on these emotions, making L'Amore E a versatile release that's bound to ignite dancefloors and capture listeners' hearts alike.

Review: Amsterdam legends Rush Hour look to the other side of the earth for some irresistible summer sounds here. Precious Bloom is an Indonesian group that offer up a delightful two tracker with the opening track 'Flashlight' inspired by Euro disco coupled with a hint of the city pop sounds of their homeland. It's awash with great arps and quick, funky disco drumming and sparing vocals. The 'Mojo' jam on the B-side "explores a rhyme of witchery" over fat-bottomed drums, tropical percussion and wavy bass undertones, all topped off with bright and breezy xylophone style melodies. Scorching to say the least.

Review: Indonesia-based Babon was founded in 2023 by longtime friends Wahyudi T. Raupp and Rayi Raditia and craft instrumentals addressing environmental issues. Their sound fuses Melbourne's vibrant music energy with dangdut rhythms, gamelan percussion, and melodic keroncong folk styles. Here they debut on Batov Records with the wonderful 'Tropical Desert Music' which blends Indonesian traditions with Afro-Latin funk, Morricone-inspired grooves, Bollywood breaks and blues. It's the sort of sound that is perfect for fans of Khruangbin or Sababa 5. The A-side 'Desert Rose' is a spaghetti blues anthem, while the flip 'TNT' tells a miner's tragic tale through cinematic, explosive instrumentation.

Review: The musical orchestral form that is Orkes Melayu (the Malay Orchestra) finally emerges from the shadows. In the early 1960s, two of the foremost talents from the Indonesian music scene - songwriter and band leader Adi Karso, known for his hits 'Papaya Cha-Cha-Cha' and 'Balonku' and Gambus musician Munif Bahasuan - teamed up to form the Malay-Orchestral band Kelana Ria, known to some as the "Robert Johnson" of Indonesia. Between 1961 and 1964, they recorded 48 songs spread over four records - Kafilah, Yam El Shamah, YaMahmud and Ya Hamidah - which became the primary sources for this compilation. 'Renungkanlah (Think About It)', included on this compilation, is a love song with heavenly melodies and lilting harmonies; to an audience in the Western part of Malaysia, or people of Malay ethnicity in Singapore, most are predisposed to immediately hum along out of recognition.

Review: Back here by popular demand, Les Disques Bongo Joe presents a fresh 7" release from Amsterdam's Nusantara Beat featuring, for the first time on wax, the infectious digital single 'Mang Becak' alongside a brand new and unreleased track. Marking their third collaboration with the label, the band reimagines two treasures of Indonesian music and merges their traditional rhythms with a modern edge that masterfully bridges the past and present. 'Sifat Manusa' has Indonesian vocals bringing sunny disposition and real soul over funky and jazzy drums. 'Mang Becak' is a funky groove with plenty of guitars that range from psyched out to more playful.