Bali 1928, Vol. V: Vocal Music in Dance Dramas

Volume five of the Bali 1928 recordings contains various emergent theatrical dance forms with translations of the dramas' texts. The origins of the Monkey Chant are heard in provocative trance rituals and we also hear the first recordings of women participating in dance dramas, making this disc a major cultural repatriation of primary Balinese art forms that had been lost for nearly a century. An extensive essay is included as a PDF (accessed by computer) with links to 1930s silent films and a photo library are hosted online by World Arbiter. Some of these recordings come from discs that existed in only one known copy, and now their erotic, subtle, incendiary styles are available for everyone to experience. Performances by Tembang Arja & Kidung with the Gamelan Geguntangan of Belaluan, Denpasar; Tembang Arja with the Gamelan Geguntangan of Sesetan, Denpasar; Janger of Kedaton, Denpasar with lead singer Ni Wayan Pempen; Janger of Abian Timbul, Denpasar; Cepung Monyeh Sasak from Lombok (including vocal performances by Ni Lemon); and Topeng of Kaliungu: Ida Boda, Ida Bagus Purya & I Nyarikan Seriada.