An EP compiled from Strawberry Rain’s essential issue The Lizard Years coming to our subscription service, Now-Again Deluxe, on August 3rd.
While he maintains a dubious claim as kickstarter of Indonesia’s private-press rock scene in the 60s and 70s, we can definitively say one thing about guitarist/singer/song writer/producer Benny Soebardja: He is one of the most important musical figures to arise from Indonesia in the latter half of the twentieth century. Having been a member of bands such as The Peels, Shark Move and the infamous prog-rock juggernaut Giant Step, Soebardja left his mark with many memorable albums throughout the years. It was his work as a cultural ambassador that made our recent Those Shocking, Shaking Days anthology possible.
During the mid 70s, Soebardja also recorded solo efforts, which Southeast Asian enthusiasts regard as some of the best music to surface from the region. With the help of British poet Bob Dook, Soebardja recorded numerous English language songs brimming with progressive musicianship and melodies. Backed by the almost unknown Lizard – an ensemble which contained members of both Giant Step and Indonesian poet/philospoher Harry Roesli’s Philosophy Gang – Soebardja’s solo efforts are in line with the sound of his other bands, yet unique. With The Lizard Years, Strawberry Rain and Jason Connoy present to Soebardja’s first three solo efforts: Lizard, Gut Rock and Night Train.
This album is not on Now-Again, but Strawberry Rain has agreed to allow us to present an EP’s worth of music to our subscribers at Now-Again Deluxe. And, if you’re interested, all three albums are included in Strawberry Rain’s 2CD set with a thirty-six page booklet full of concert photos, album covers and extensive liner notes. Strawberry Rain has made a special offer available for followers of this label – $15, including shipping, to customers in the USA and Canada, and $18, including shipping, for international customers. If you’d like to support what they’re doing, the Paypal address is info@strawberry-rain.com . We would like to suggest that you do!
Download: Benny Soebardja and Lizard “18 Years Old.”
Subscribe Now: Now-Again Deluxe at Drip.fm.
More Info: Strawberry Rain’s Website.