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Jubing shines in his third `Delman' album
This is the third album of classical guitarist Jubing Kristianto in as many years
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his is the third album of classical guitarist Jubing Kristianto in as many years. Yielding an album a year is a feat without precedent in the country. It is a testament to his productivity, creativity and great talent.
As with his previous two albums this one is no less enjoyable as it contains pieces familiar to an Indonesian audience, presented with a superb technique.
Like his previous two albums, Delman Fantasy (Horse-drawn Cart Fantasy) is a collection of a variety of musical genres.
His successful experimentation with a vocalist in this album as well as with a percussionist in one of his previous albums has proven his versatility and creativity as a guitarist and musician.
The duo with noted tenorist Christopher Abimanyu in Delman produced a stunning classical piece that only validates the genius of song composer Ismail Marzuki in Indonesia Pusaka.
The album's arrival in July was timely as it was close to Independence Day on Aug. 17.
The duo has proven that a collaboration of a guitarist and a singer can create great music.
Traditional song "Rame-rame" (party time) composed by C. Kayhatu/G. Leiwakabessy opens the album followed by "She's Always A Woman" (B. Joel) and "Mission Impossible" (L. Schriffin) which is decidedly Jubing's favorite. Other songs are "Clouds" (Jubing), "Capuccino Rumba" (Jubing), a popular Japanese song "Sukiyaki" (H. Nakamura), a traditional Sundanese song "Bubuy Bulan" (B. Korda), "Delman Fantasy" (Pak Kasur/Jubing), "Stairway to Heaven" (J. Page/R.Plant) and "Winter Games" (D. Foster). For "Sempurna" (Stevie/Andra), it features Christopher Abimanyu.
Outside his album he has plucked his guitar on public stages with gamelan music played by students of Loyola College, Semarang, with noted poet Sapardi Djoko Damono in a poetry reading event and in the Punakawan Quartet led by noted pianist Jaya Suprana.
His love and aptitude for arranging guitar compositions is a testament to his fascination with the instrument, which is natural for aspiring professional instrumentalists.
In his next album, Jubing may to learn to distance himself from his fascination and his favorite music, and orient himself to a wider audience.
The former journalist who was a four-time winner of Yamaha Guitar Festival Indonesia before becoming a professional classical guitarist may start by collecting children's or traditional songs in one album, both of which are his favorite song genres.
Then he can expand to songs from the region such as Batak songs in one album, followed by songs from Ambon, Sunda, Manado and so on. Or he may want to focus on Indonesian pop songs, oldies or contemporary, rock, keroncong, dangdut, with each genre in one album.
In fact, he can also explore the music of traditional guitar-like instruments in the country like the kecapi of West Java, Sasando of East Nusa Tenggara or Sampek of Kalimantan. He has a gold mine in front of him.
Jubing has enriched Indonesia's guitar music literature with this album on top of his Hujan Fantasy (Rain Fantasy) in 2008 and Becak Fantasy (Pedicab Fantasy) in 2007.
His future as a professional guitarist is assured.
