Nonesuch Explorer Series / Java: Court Gamelan, Vol. 3
Album: Java: Court Gamelan, Vol. 3   Collection:World
Artist:Nonesuch Explorer Series   Added:Sep 2003
Label:Nonesuch Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2004-12-12 Pull Date: 2005-02-13 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Jan 16 Jan 2 Dec 26
Airplays: 2 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Apr 17, 2005: Subcutaneous Phycomycosis
Gendhing Sumyar, Gendhing Prabu Mataram
4. Dec 28, 2004: "In Your Ear..." In the Wee Hours of the Morning for One Night Only...
Golek Lambangsari
2. Jan 13, 2005: Sun in Libra, Moon in Pisces
Gendhing Ranngu-Rangu
5. Dec 23, 2004: Sun in Libra, Moon in Pisces
Gendhing Sumyar
3. Jan 09, 2005: radiomundi
Gendhing Tedhak Saking
6. Dec 22, 2004: the Dog and Pony Show
Gendhing Sumyar

Album Review
Manoneet Singh
Reviewed 2004-11-26
Ironically, the third and last album of the Nonesuch Java Gamelan series is also the most accessible. The pieces are of relatively shorter duration here (except No. 5), and liner notes are the best-written of all three albums in the series. Minimalistic music with an eerie, piercing quality.

Track 1: Starts with the traditional thunking of bronze keys, then lovely flute work interwoven with distant wailing/chanting that gradually takes over the track.

Track 2: Starts the same way as #1, vox are more distant and dreamy.

*Track 3*: Medley of mettalophones and gongs produce a melody with alternately rising and falling tempo.

Track 4: Pipes, wailing vox, steady xylophone backdrop. Serene and haunting.

Track 5: Starts with chanting by male chorus, LONG track. Used as narrative to accompany traditional female “coming of age” dance.

Track 6: Short piece, heavy thunking of metallophone keys. Played as the emperor exits the gammelan.

Track Listing
1. Gendhing Prabu Mataram   4. Gendhing Ranngu-Rangu
2. Gendhing Lung Gadhung   5. Golek Lambangsari
3. Gendhing Sumyar   6. Gendhing Tedhak Saking