4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strange chants and Lively instrumentals, November 13, 2000
This review is from: Music Of Indonesia 4: Music Of Nias & North Sumatra (Audio CD)
The Smithsonian-Folkways series of Music of Indonesia has some remarkable treats in its 20 CDs. Vol. 4 from Sumatra is one of the best in the series. Nias, a small island just west of Sumatra, is represented by some dark-toned choral works. These won't remind you of much else you've heard before, but they become compelling with repeated hearing. The selections from batak country in North Sumatra are an absolute treat. The North Sumatran Batak are a loud and lively people, who gave up their wild (cannibalistic) pasts in favor of Christian belief, but their love of music and dance continues. While these pieces, with their high-pitched oboe-like solos over tuned drums may be quirky at first, you'll soon find their rhythmic vitality infectious. This is world music at its best: no "fusions" with electric guitars, but still easy to relate to and enjoy.
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