Tabuh Kalajengking by Gong Gaada
Inspired by the traditional music of Indonesia, as well as its contemporary experimental scenes, Gong Gaada is a Los Angeles-based trio exploring a hybrid form of gamelan with electronics. Utilizing reyong (the arrays of metal gongs used in Balinese gamelan), suling (bamboo flute), and modular synthesizer, the group lays out familiar and creative patterns as a matrix for departure. The analog electronics pick up and process the acoustic drama in real-time, the modular output augmenting their sounds with newfound harmonics and psychedelic flitter. Groove intact, noise rips and punctuates in step with the hypnotic rhythms of their struck metal attack.
“Tabuh Kalajengking” is the debut single release from Gong Gaada. “Tabuh,” literally “to strike,” is the word for a Balinese Gamelan song or form. In the creation of this 20-minute epic, Gong Gaada were inspired by the “kalajengking,” or scorpion, building the song structure from various aspects of this creature’s anatomy and personality. In addition to this “scorpion song,” this release includes three bonus tracks. The first bonus track (Track 2) is a remix by babyaspirinDVD (aka Cordey Lopez of Gong Gaada) of a Balinese Gamelan piece originally composed by Japanese artist Kawamura Koheysai. Track 3 is a live recording of Gong Gaada’s first performance ever featuring guest soloist Arrington de Dionyso (on reed instruments) at Hunter Shaw Fine Art in Los Angeles on January 13, 2019. Track 4 is an edited and condensed version of the title track clocking in at 5 minutes, adapting the piece to short form.
Gong Gaada is:
Matthew Clough-Hunter – Reyong and Suling
Hirotaka Inuzuka – Reyong and Suling
Cordey Lopez – Modular Synthesizer
"Tabuh Kalajengking"
Recorded December 6, 2019 by Chris Cohen.
Mixing and Mastering by Cordey Lopez.
Tracks 1, 3, and 4 music by Gong Gaada.
Track 2 music by Kawamura Koheysai and remixed by babyaspirinDVD.
Cover Art by Michael Hentz.
Tracklist
| 1. | Tabuh Kalajengking | 18:37 |
| 2. | Hoshi Wo Mite Nemurimasyo - Kawamura Koheysai (babyaspirinDVD Remix) | 3:58 |
| 3. | Live in LA (with Arrington de Dionyso) | 19:34 |
| 4. | Tabuh Kalajengking (Edit) | 5:35 |
