Indonesia (Abbhama, 1978)

As this track clearly states, Abbhama come from Indonesia, and they were active during the late Seventies. They released just one album (originally on cassette format) called "Alam Raya" (meaning "The Universe"), then split up. Unfortunately, I daresay, because their sole work is one of the best Asian symphonic rock album, IMHO, with a slight folk taste and an excellent piano classically played by the band's leader and composer Iwan Madjid.

The CD release kept the original cassette artwork. Good idea.

This atmospheric song was conceived as an ode to the band's homeland, but it's no way popmpous, as it flows slowly on a dreamy and nostalgic tone. The winds (flute and oboe) and the native tongue lyrics add a recognizable and sweet accent to "Indonesia", while the background arrangements could be campared to Camel. A beautiful song from a well balanced album, finally released on CD in 2014 (better late than never!).

Contrasts (Discus, 1999)

Sometimes the title says it all. That's the case with this track, coming from the debut album of the Indonesian band Discus and closing it. This is a stunning - but never unpleasant - series of musical contrasts, actually. Some gentle flute-driven landscapes, jazzy breaks, electronic and experimental passages... you name it, you have them all (or almost all...). 

Discus debuted in 1999 for the Italian label Mellow Records.

The melodies - when there are melodies - are beautiful, the instruments are absolutely well played (especially the flute, the electric guitar and the keys), the rythmic section is highly creative... in short, this is I track I love. Of course, such an ordeal is not for all listeners, I mean you must like unusual things in order to fully appreciate this instrumental, but if you are into avant-garde prog, please, don't miss this pearl"

Save Our Land (Vantasma, 2006)

Believe it or not, a growing number of Indonesian bands play prog and even neo-prog. Take this Vantasma, strongly influenced by IQ, Pendragon & friends, but with their own recognizable mix of keyboard progressions and guitar solos. This song is taken from their debut album called "Beyond Fallen Dreams" and is a very well written and performed example of progressive rock. Opik's vocals are strong and rather high-pitched, in the vein of some metal-prog acts when the music gets heavier, but also sensitive and even delicate when the volume gets down.

The Indonesian Progressive Society produced this debut work.

The track is rather long (some 13 minutes) and diversified, and its instrumental sections really are good and highly dynamic. I also like the way these musicians prepare the tempo changes, and their taste for bright largos, something reminding me of Kansas. Vantasma learned their lesson very well and picked up all they needed to bake a fragrant, tasty musical cake ready for my little afternoon prog tea!