Kafilah Nights: Malay-Arabic Variations from 1960s Indonesia

This collection is a precious insight into the music scene of 1960s Indonesia. Formed by Adi Karso and Munif Bahasuan, Kelana Ria was among the most popular Malay orchestras of the time. Their music was rooted in orkes Melayu, a genre in which Malay-language songs are brought to life by lively ensembles of mainly Western instruments.

From the first track, one is struck by the sublime vocals of the group’s lead singer, Muhamad Mashabi. His versatile voice captures a great variety of moods. ‘Renungkanlah (Think About It)’ is a love song with a joyous melody while ‘Ratapan Anak Tiri (Lament of a Stepchild)’ evokes heartbreaking melancholia.

The songs are underpinned with diverse instrumentation including piano, percussion, bass and bamboo flute. A mandolin and accordion often imitate Mashabi’s vocal melodies, making for a beautiful interplay between voice and instrument. Kelana Ria’s compositions display influences from Indian film music to Arabic ensembles. The presence of rumba and tango rhythms give certain songs a distinctively Latin feel and the rasgueado strumming in ‘Pesta Tjahaja (Festival of Light)’ brings flamenco to mind. Indeed, Kelana Ria’s ability to pack so much emotion and rich texture into two to three minute songs make this a standout listen.