Kultur’s very first article (August 2020) tells a few notes from our amateur question and answer session with several  names from the Jamaican music scene in Indonesia. Among our sources is Dimaz A, better known by the moniker DeeJaay Gantung, one of the founding members of the capital’s sound system unit “Kodim Inna Riddim”. From him we got some trivia and facts about the initial journey of the dub and sound system act in Jakarta. We also had the opportunity to get insight from Reza (Interpol and Pribumi Fight Back) representing the Cawang crew, which in the mid-1990s was known as the headquarters for rudeboys in Jakarta. Then Wiro, who gave a lot of personal notes as one of the Ska and Skinhead scenesters in Indonesia. As well as additional opinions from Iday (Roadblock Dub Collective, Lampung) and Mr. Jenggo from the charming outfit from Tanah Tinggi – Jakarta, Monkey Boots. We published the article as “A Brief Note on Jamaican Music in Indonesia”. A homage from kultur as an amateur archiving effort for Jamaican music movement in Indonesia.

 

In this 2020’s final article, we compiled a list of the releases that we picked together based on the little notes from each us (kultur’s authors). Some of these names have been published before, either in the column “News”, “Features”, or “Review”. This is our own version of “highlights of the year.”

January, first notification came through 9 pieces units from Jakarta, Highmoon Ska through the album “Kehidupan & Batas Waktu.” This was released in 2019, but then available in early January on various DSPs. “Prelude In Corpore Sano” as the opening track is very powerful to open this year. From the city of Surabaya, the outfit with Shirley the soulful frontwoman makes the single ‘Runaway‘ by Lantai Dua Berdansa become a special force, dancing in freedom! Then, from Australia, Dub FX, one of the figures who became a role model for many dub musicians, presented the LP “Roots” with his magical touch of looping exploration, the closing album for this month.

February, the crisscross dub & reggae outfit from Medan released their debut LP entitled “Waalaikumshalom”. An album with a touch of dominant metaphorical lyrics becomes another powerful release from local acts.

March, two dub champions from Thailand and the Philippines, Ga-pi and Red I, simultaneously released their work. Ga-pi with Prince Fatty with their “Rootsman Creation In Dub”, and “Word Sound & Power” from Red I. Two highly recommended names to follow. Indonesian homies, a down-to-earth legend, Sentimental Moods comes with a homage to Indonesia’s top ranking ska pioneers. Sentimental Moods has released this tribute series monthly through their YouTube channel since the end of 2019. Kultur underlines their special touch through the cover version of the ska pioneer from the Indonesian skinhead culture, Sixtols! The ingenuity of this composition and running chords in this song seem to explain the reason why Sentimental Moods become a role model in the Indonesian scene. By inviting one of the important scenesters of ska’s history in Indonesia, “Love Song” from Sentimental Moods & Genta (Keotik), makes March a month full of homages. These Trias Scenesters seemed to be muttering: “our love will never go!”

April is marked by a newly formed stand-out outfit. This alliance of three figures from Jakarta called themselves Aset Negara. They come with a sound system concept. Their second single “Inna Ghetto” is a follow up from their prestige work of art. A champion sound from this Jakarta’s power trio. We can only say, REWIND!

May, become a party-hard month for Jamaican music lovers. A number of names have started to paint our playlist colourful with their repertoire. We recommend the full album from OBF Sound System – “Signz”, living legend of Jamaican music Dandy Livingstone – “They Call Us Legends”, debut album from Reggae Roast – “Turn Up The Heat” and Alpha Steppa – “Raise The Ark”. Do not miss our local talents who participated to elevate our list with their fresh works in the form of singles. Like Big Lion through their single “Wake Up and Live”, Arye De Siul with their single “Close Your Eyes” and a sound system unit from the island of Bali, Jumat Libur Sound System which brought “Outline Blues” as their debut.

June, the blaze flared even more. Dizzy Riz, a producer from Majalengka – Indonesia, has released his third album, entitled “Lionize” with jungle/drum n bass theme. From the land of Siam, Thailand, Fyah Burning also rocked the LP “The Right 10”. Several special names from the country also showed off with a long single series. The experimental ethnic duo, KunoKini through their contemplative yet powerful single, “Anak Panah”. The dub unit from the city of Lampung Roadblock Dub Collective released “Sepinggungan/Russ”, Papuan talent Dave Solution with “Yafandumba”. Then a group of talented young men from Bandung Rub Of Rub brought a “spacey” aroma through their “Oriental Eksotik” single. And the famous reggae outfit from Malaysia, Purevibracion with the single “Jauh”.

July, Robert Nesta Marley’s eldest son, Ziggy Marley, returned with his album “More Family Time”. Bringing the spirit of kinship to cheer and entertaining us amidst the pandemic year all over the world.

Scottish multitalented soloist, Tom Spirals, brought the single “State Of Mind” as a composition that deserves to be enjoyed.

A self-proclaimed “Indonesian Queen Of Reggae”, Nath The Lions, brings “Blessing” as her newest work. She also included a global scale promotional set for this single. A proper strive for a proper song, Yessah!

Javabass Soundsystem, Indonesia’s oldest drum n bass collective through one of their powerful homies, Random, is also in our highlight. His single “Acid” continuously played on our playlist this month. The high quality of sound-treatment is something that becomes the signature of the work from this Indonesian dearest DJ & Producer.

Eastones, the ska-punk outfit, which contains Jakarta’s veteran scenesters, made their debut at the end of this month. The single “Radio Dynamite” reverberated over and over on our playlists. The “101% pure fun on the dance floor” formula in this song is solid. This single has all the requirements to be a dance floor anthem. A sing-along led by a glamorous frontwoman mixed up with the tight and dense grooves such a big guarantee from Eastones to make you would love to get dressed to kill and celebrate the glorious ska-punk party!

Apart from the names above, the power trio from the city of Salatiga, The Gravelites, with the modernization infusion of ska classics a la The Skatalites, comes with their charming EP “Seven Deadly Skank” (a re-release in digital version). To us, they are one of the important ska releases of the year. 

August, another great month. Several high-explosive figures released their ammo. Mungo’s Hi Fi, Gaudi and the legendary Toots and The Maytals, also Congo Natty ft. Fikir Amlak & Addis Pablo and Escape Roots released their latest works. From our local heroes, Ras Muhamad comes with the album “Satriyo” which marks a new chapter for his personal journey. Denny Frust and Radit Echoman ft. Conrad Good Vibration, also complements our magnificent August.

September, keep on rocking with another list. Soom T, a Scotland woman with her distinctive vocal style, returns with a deep message through the album “The Arch”. From Hong Kong, Mouse FX launched “Mouse FX In Jamaica” by involving Skunga Kong (a blood relative of Leslie Kong) in this production. Canadian jungle/drum n bass producer, Marcus Visionary hit the road with “Together”. Massaia Dubkillah represents Mexico, flying up high the “Revolutionary Sound Army” with a super powerful dub steppa vibe. A special release from the prestigious French dub label, Culture Dub. Another special moment is the return of the Indo-dub-power pioneer, the one and only Asian Dub Foundation! They still carry the same message. Only more powerful, through “Access Denied”

On our own home, as a sign that the national ska scene is no longer dominated by the capital’s and other big cities scenesters, Holygrass ska outfit from Lampung presents their debut “Perjalanan Panjang“. Then, from the city of Mataram, a fresh touch also adorns this ninth month. NoBigDeal has firmly released their debut single, “Politik Mental”.

October, opens with “This Road”, the debut of Denise Sherwood which brings the latest repertoire with a powerful production approach. Two champion soloists from Europe, Parly B and Taiwan MC released their full album. Parly B came with his solid jungle/drum n bass while Taiwan MC with its rub a dub style. Three great releases in our playlist. Hot singles from many big names have also come from various parts of the world. Among them, Koffee Ft. Buju Banton through the single “Pressure” Remix, Mellow Mood Ft. Kabaka Pyramid with “Mr. Global”, Thailand’s newcomer WooWoo with single “Tah Ring Tingz”, Thailand’s famous band Srirajah Rockers released their single “Faith”, one of the Filipino reggae diva Lady I with single “Ma Baby”. From Indonesia, Ras Inggi Ft. Diana & Ian Andiasta from the city of Kebumen with the single “Satu Indonesia“. As well as a newcomer from the city of Malang Slowright is present through their single entitled “Satu” reminds us of the glory of Skunk Records in the 1990s. The Little distinction is, they are from Indonesia and the frontman is so clever in writing messages through the lyrics.

November, the unit dub from Udine – Italy, R.Esistence In Dub returns with their release entitled “The Longfingah Attack” in collaboration with Longfingah from Berlin – Germany. Then, Radikal Guru, a producer with a steppa dub from Poland, was present through “Beyond The Borders” a release that has long been awaited by his fans around the world. Another mini album also offered by L’Entourloop x Skarra Mucci – “Golden Nuggets”. Again, the unit from Bangkok is back this month, this time through Jonathan and Calvin with their “Survivor”. Then, the dearly figure who is nicknamed as the ruler of pensi from Cirebon, Jamessteady, brought a thick sweaty-dance-floor formula through their EP entitled “Riot City Rockers” and Voodska from Purwokerto came through “Journey“, a debut that marked their existence. And this month, we celebrate another release, from the band Marapu. The composition entitled “Welcome to Sumba” which they released on November 18 coincided with their 21st anniversary as one of the charismatic outfits in the country. It is also a symbol of optimism for the approaching 2021.

December, as the final month of the year, still carries another powerful release to be written on our own highlight of the year. Karma Rhyme Sound System Ft. Binlhajazz & Chatty D Roy give fresh energy through dub steppa single, “Inequality”. As well as the return of the outfit from the city of Surabaya, Rasvan Aoki with a new approach. Now they are teamed up with the influential music imprint from the city of Yogyakarta, Doggyhouse Records. Through the single “Can We Talk?” Rasvan Aoki brings mental health problems as a theme, of course still with the special harmony. At the end of the week this month, ska unit Monkey Boots closes this list with their musical maturity, the touch of blue notes and acrobatic scales from the frontman making the single “Berdetak” become a “a-twice-must” to enjoy that we recommend.

This list is a small part of our amateur steps in tribute to the excellent work of the Jamaican music act-outfits we have been tracking. In particular, we deliver the respect and solemnity to our local scenesters, to producers, soloists, bands and groups from the Jamaican music scene in Indonesia. We give all our words, sound and power, we love your lovely works! Forward march, PULL UP!
(Words:Keyko,Sam,Yedi. Editor & Translation:Sam)