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KARIMATA is an Indonesian jazz fusion band that often incorporates elements of traditional Indonesian ethnic music into its musical compositions. Its personnel consist of Candra Darusman (keyboard), Erwin Gutawa (bass), Denny TR (guitar), Aminoto Kosin (keyboard) and Uce Haryono (drums, who was later replaced by Aldy and Budhy Haryono).
Karimata is recorded as a legendary Indonesian band that was formed in 1985. Although there has never been a statement that the Karimata band has disbanded, since 1991 the band has been in a vacuum.
Names that have been guest vocalists for Karimata include: Lydia Noorsaid and Dian Pramana Poetra in the song “Rintangan”. This song was later re-sung by Cindy and Glenn Fredly on Cindy’s debut album. Cindy was a guest vocalist for The Groove after Rika Roeslan passed away.
Even Ramona Purba has also been a guest vocalist for Karimata twice in two different albums, alongside Lydia Noorsaid who has also been a guest vocalist twice. Other guest vocalists include Neno Warisman, Katara Singers, La Storia, Harvey Malaiholo, the duet Ricky Basuki-January Christy and Ruth Sahanaya.
After producing three albums on Pro Sound, Karimata released two more albums on Aquarius. On Karimata’s fifth and final album, Jezz (1992), Karimata invited a number of prominent musicians from GRP, such as Lee Ritenour, Phil Perry, Don Grusin, Ernie Watts and Bob James to be guest stars.
On this album, Karimata really tried to fuse jazz music with Indonesian ethnic music. And the results are indeed interesting. This album includes Take Off to Padang, Seng Ken Ken, Rainy Days and You (with vocals from Phil Perry), and Paddy Field.
On the previous album (the first album in Aquarius), Karimata also invited another GRP musician, namely Dave Valentin who is famous for his flute playing. This album which was not specifically given a name, among others, contained the song “Jangan Salah” through the vocals of Trio Bele’l which was once played when the accompanying band was replaced for the Gita Remaja program on Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI).
Karimata had been the accompanying band for the event before being replaced by Halmahera. Dave Valentin, a famous musician from GRP filled the flute on the songs “Why Not” and “Kharisma 90”. In addition, Trio Bele’l and Embong Rahardjo (Soprano Sax) also appeared for the composition “Masihkah Tersisa”.
By the end of 2006, Karimata’s first, second, third and fifth albums had been remastered and re-released in CD format.
Discography
Pasti (Pro Sound, 1987), Lima (Pro Sound, 1987), Biting (Pro Sound, 1989), Karimata – Dave Valentin (Aquarius Ind, 1990), Jézz (Aquarius Ind, 1991). [sources/photo special]
