This 20 tracks audio feast was compiled by tireless Canadian hip hop producer and Southeast Asian music specialist Jason “Moss” Connoy, the confidence that Indonesian rock legend Benny Soebardja placed in Now-Again Records. Jason Moss traversed his homeland’s islands securing the necessary rights for the tracks for this compilation.
The anthology V.A. - Those Shocking Shaking Days. Indonesian Hard, Psychedelic, Progressive Rock And Funk: 1970 – 1978 was released in 2011 on Now Again Records, a subsidiary of the famous Stones Throw. The collected gems are, as the title suggests, rare psychedelic, progressive rock and funk songs from the ‘shocking shaking days’ of Indonesian state under the regime of dictator Suharto, the second president of Indonesia. Like in every country that suffered from a dictatorial regime, censorship was applied on any form of culture and art, including music of course. All those subversive fuzzy rock songs, politically charged lyrics, strong rhythms and an odd low-fidelity were being considered truly rebellious.
Most of this music would have been remained totally unheard without the effort of some great special people, deeply involved in the research process. As I start playing it, the music suddenly opens itself to the listener. This is music that captured moments from the past, recorded them, together with all their amazing and unbelievable stories, and is now a proudly part of the cultural music heritage this curious state called Indonesia has to offer.
For example, Ariesta Birawa Group’s track called ''Didunia Yang Lain'' (Other World) is ridiculously beautiful. I played it for about eight to ten times in a row. It’s my favorite track from the compilation. All its melodicism and ambiance comes from a very old, hidden and fascinating world, which mesmerized me instantly. It’s the same with The Gang Of Harry Roesli and the track called ''Don't Talk About Freedom'', an addictive psych injected funk-ish cut, working hard on the rhythm. The song from Black Brothers and Aka’s ''Shake Me'' continues in a similar psychedelic spirit, delivering twisted hypnotic melodies and elegantly shaking grooves.
Get your motorcycle boots, ride a pony, clap your hippy shakers, move your bones and get ready for a journey with no frontiers and no censorship. But be aware, it’s not really Woodstock music.
Tracklist:
1. Haai - Panbers2. Anti Gandja - the Brims
3. Bad News - Rollies
4. Evil War - Shark Move
5. Hear Me - Golden Wing
6. Do What You Like - AKA
7. That Shocking Shaking Day - IVO's Group
8. Didunia Yang Lain - Ariesta Birawa Group
9. Jeritan Cinta - Terenchem
10. Candle Light - Benny Soebardja and Lizard
11. People - Super Kid
12. Mobil Tua - Koes Plus
13. Don't Talk About Freedom - The Gang Of Harry Roesli
14. Saman Doye - Black Brothers
15. Shake Me - AKA
16. Pemain Bola - Rasela
17. Freedom - Freedom Of Rhapsodia
18. The Promise -Rhythm Kings
19. Uang -Duo Kribo
20. Pantun Lama - Murry