WEST PAPUA

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Type of Collection	: Cassette
Artist/Group	: Black Brothers
Album Title	: Derita Tiada Akhir, Black Brothers Vol.2
Origin	: Provinsi Papua
Language	: Indonesia, Papua
Year of Release	: 1978
Label	: Irama Tara
Serial Number	: No Data
Contributor	: Hengki Herwanto, Malang

Reference link:

Tracklist

NO	Song Title	Songwriter	Lead Vocal
	SIDE A :
1	Derita Tiada Akhir	Yochy P	Hengky MS
2	Terima Kasih	Hengky MS	Hengky MS
3	Hari Kiamat	Yochy P	Hengky MS
4	Huembello	NN	David/Group
5	Hilang	Yochy P	Hengky MS
6.	Kroncong Kenangan	Hengky MS	Stevie M
7.	Cinta dan Pramuria	Hengky MS	Hengky MS
8.	Irian Jaya ll	Yochy	Hengky MS
	SIDE B : Yonas Souisa Musik Is Haryanto
1	Lagu Kenangan	Minggus Tahitu	Yonas Souisa
2	Biarlah Sendiri	Rinto	Yonas Souisa
3	Dan jangan kembali lagi	Elisa P	Yonas Souisa
4	Sampai mati	Bartje	Yonas Souisa
5	Sebelum kau pergi	Is Haryanto	Yonas Souisa
6.	Masa depan suram	Is Haryanto	Yonas Souisa
7.	Senja kelabu	A.Riyanto	Yonas Souisa
8.	Iri hati	Is Haryanto	Yonas Souisa
9.	Saat gugurpun	Bartje	Yonas Souisa
10.	Saling percaya	Is Haryanto	Yonas Souisa

BIOGRAPHY

The Black Brothers were formed in Nabire, Papua in 1974-1975. Their Personnel are: Sandhy Betay (vocals), Marthy Messet (lead vocals), Agustinus Romaropen (guitar), Benny Betay (bass), Yohi Patipeiluhu (keyboards), Amry Kahar, David Rumagesan (saxophone), Stevy Mambor (drums) and Hengky Merantoni (guitar). Manager: Andy Ayamiseba.

Hengky Sumanti Miratoneng, one of the founders of Black Brothers was born in Inobonto, North Sulawesi, 16 May 1948. Died in the Netherlands 19 April 2006. Buried in Inobinto, 30 April 2006.

Stevie Mambor, Black Brothers drummer died in Canberra Australia 19 April 2018.

David Rumagesan (Abdullah Junus), the Black Brothers saxophone player, was born in Bintuni, West Papua, Stengkol, May 10, 1954. Died at Pertamina Central Hospital, Jakarta, February 23, 2018.

About Album

The cassette album Derita Tiada Akhir by Black Brothers Volume 2 produced by Irama Tara, Jakarta was released in 1977. The Side A Contains 8 songs. On Side B, Yonas Souisa is presented with Is Haryanto’s musical accompaniment. There are 10 songs.

Story

In the 1970s, rock music was mostly centered in Java Island. In that era appeared God Bless, AKA, The Rollies, to Giant Step. However, the Black Brothers loomed from Papua.

Since the late 1960s, the land of Papua has had a large number of Indonesian military arrivals. There have been many battles between the Indonesian military and Papuans. On the other hand, the Indonesian military also makes music bands to fill their spare time.

Dominggus A Mampioper from Tabloid Jubi noted that there are many bands formed by agencies. The Navy, for example, formed the Varunas group. The Cenderawasih Kodam had the Tjenderawasih group, while Acub Zaenal, who had served as the Governor of Papua from 1973-1975, formed the Local Government Band group.

“Music is growing rapidly in Papua. There are several names and local bands that play in nightclubs, or bars. There is even a band festival that raises Papuan musicians,” said anthropologist Iburoma Wamla.

In the same period, youth Hengky Merantoni migrated from Manado to Biak. He is a musician who has a fairly high experience hours. He Has played on the Tampomas II ship, also the Finish ship. This reliable guitarist is also known as a master songwriter. When he moved to Biak, then to Jayapura, it didn’t take long to join Iriantos Band. In Iriantos, Hengky served as the main guitarist. Other personnel are Sandhy Betay (vocals), Marthy Messet (lead vocals), Agustinus Romaropen (guitar), Benny Betay (bass), Yohi Patipeiluhu (keyboards), Amry Kahar and David Rumagesan (saxophone), and Stevy Mambor (drums). With the role of a shrewd manager named Andy Ayamiseba, Iriantos moved to Jakarta to pursue a music career in 1976. Thanks to his cold hands, a few weeks after arriving in Jakarta, they were awarded a contract to play in a restaurant. Andy’s role was also increasingly important when changing the band’s name, from Iriantos to Black Brothers.

After mining enough experience hours in music, the Black Brothers were eyed by the record label Irama Tara. Under the label founded by Nyo Beng Seng, the Black Brothers recorded their first album, Irian Jaya I. This album also includes the song “Kisah A Pramuria” by Hengky. According to Iburoma, the album had received criticism for featuring the song “Kisah A Pramuria” which was already popular by The Mercys. The Black Brothers are considered to be supporting Mercys’ big name. In fact, the song was Hengky’s creation which was made in 1972. At that time Hengky was still playing in the Galaxy’s 69 group in Sorong. Hengky also seems to have an interest in the Pramuria theme. At least he made some songs with titles containing the word pramuria (In English means Stewardess). In addition to the famous song, there are also “Love and Pramuria”, “For you Pramuria”, “Prayer’s Prayer”, Pramuria’s Ballad, and “Pramuria But Nuns”.

On the Black Brothers debut album, there are several hit songs. One of them is the re-interpretation of the Papuan folk song, “Apuse”. At first the song was slow tempo. Until at 1:20 minutes, when Hengky’s guitar solo came in, the tempo turned fast. Funk at full power! It ends with a syncopated circus between guitar and drums. One of the important moments in the Black Brothers career came on December 28, 1976. At the initiative of a Papuan student group in Jakarta, the Black Brothers performed with SAS, the AKA split band consisting of Soenata Tanjung, Arthur Kaunang, and Syech Abidin. These two funk rock bands performed at Istora Senayan. The Black Brothers performed a Papuan song entitled “Huembello” which was played in a hard rock style.

Throughout their career, they made 8 studio albums and 3 best song compilation albums. All albums released by Irama Tara. Their second album, Endless Suffering (1977) catapulted the song “Day of Judgment”. The only Papuan song on this album is Huembello.

As a band, they are known for daring to include unusual themes. In addition, they also play keroncong songs, such as “Keroncong Kenangan” or “Keroncong Gunung Cyclop”. “They’ve also written songs about the Vietnam war, the famine in Ethiopia, the Pacific war, also about nuclear,” said Iburoma.

In the 1980s, they moved to the Netherlands. There is confusion about the reason for their departure. Some say they went to seek political asylum. Others say they left to pursue a music career. According to Iburoma, who wrote about the Black Brothers several times, their departure was more to pursue a career. “If political pressure is not possible. How come they get permission to perform at that time,” he said. Music observer Denny Sakrie, in an interview with Metro TV, once said that the departure was very unfortunate. The departure caused their fans in Indonesia to lose track of the Black Brothers. Don’t know what they do in Holland. “Unfortunately, a band that has a good future prospect, has finally been swallowed up by the earth. Because of a stronger political vision,” said Denny. (Source: “Black Brothers, Ambassador Rock from Papua”, https://tirto.id)

Value

The Black Brothers Volume 2 album contains only one Papuan song “Huembello” and seven Indonesian songs. However, the Black Brothers have brought the spirit of Papuan culture into Indonesian music.

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BIOGRAPHY

Black Brothers terbentuk di Nabire, Papua tahun 1974-1975. Personel: Sandhy Betay (vokal), Marthy Messet (vokal utama), Agustinus Romaropen (gitar), Benny Betay (bass), Yohi Patipeiluhu (keyboard), Amry Kahar, David Rumagesan (saksofon),Stevy Mambor (drum) dan Hengky Merantoni (gitar). Manajer: Andy Ayamiseba.

Hengky Sumanti Miratoneng, salah satu pendiri Black Brothers lahir di Inobonto Sulawesi Utara, 16  Mei  1948. Wafat di Belanda 19 april 2006. Dimakamkan di Inobinto, 30 April 2006.

Stevie Mambor, drumer Black Brothers wafat di Canberra Australia 19 April 2018.

David Rumagesan (Abdullah Junus), peniup saxophone Black Brothers lahir di Bintuni Papua Barat Stengkol 10 Mei 1954. Wafat di RS Pertamina Pusat Jakarta 23 Februari 2018.

About Album

Album kaset Derita Tiada Akhir karya Black Brothers Volume 2  diproduksi Irama Tara, Jakarta  dirilis pada tahun 1977. Memuat 8 lagu. Pada Sisi B menampilkan  Yonas Souisa dengan iringan musik Is Haryanto. Ada 10 lagu.

Story

Di era 1970-an, keriuhan musik rock kebanyakan berpusat di Jawa. Pada era itu muncul God Bless, AKA, The Rollies, hingga Giant Step. Namun, Black Brothers menjulang dari Papua.

Sejak akhir 1960-an, tanah Papua kedatangan militer Indonesia dalam jumlah besar. Ada banyak pertempuran terjadi antara militer Indonesia dengan warga Papua. Di sisi lain, militer Indonesia juga membuat band untuk mengisi waktu senggang.

Dominggus A Mampioper dari Tabloid Jubi mencatat ada banyak band yang dibentuk oleh instansi. Angkatan Laut, misalkan, membentuk grup Varunas. Kodam Cenderawasih punya grup Tjenderawasih, sedangkan Acub Zaenal yang pernah menjabat Gubernur Papua 1973-1975, membentuk kelompok Band Pemda.

“Musik berkembang pesat di Papua. Ada beberapa nama dan grup band lokal yang bermain di klub malam, atau bar. Bahkan ada festival band yang memunculkan musisi Papua,” ujar antropolog Ibiroma Wamla.

Pada periode bersamaan, pemuda Hengky Merantoni merantau dari Manado ke Biak. Ia pemusik yang punya jam terbang cukup tinggi. Pernah bermain di kapal Tampomas II, juga kapal Finish. Gitaris andal ini juga dikenal sebagai pencipta lagu ulung. Saat pindah ke Biak, lalu ke Jayapura, tak butuh waktu lama untuk bergabung dengan Iriantos. Di Iriantos, Hengky berperan sebagai gitaris utama. Personel lainnya adalah Sandhy Betay (vokal), Marthy Messet (vokal utama), Agustinus Romaropen (gitar), Benny Betay (bass), Yohi Patipeiluhu (keyboard), Amry Kahar dan David Rumagesan (saksofon), dan Stevy Mambor (drum). Dengan peran manajer lihai bernama Andy Ayamiseba, Iriantos pindah ke Jakarta untuk mengejar karier musik pada 1976. Berkat tangan dinginnya, beberapa pekan setelah tiba di Jakarta, mereka sudah mendapat kontrak bermain di sebuah restoran. Peran Andy juga makin penting saat mengubah nama band ini, dari Iriantos menjadi Black Brothers.

Setelah menambang jam terbang cukup banyak, Black Brothers dilirik oleh label rekaman Irama Tara. Di bawah label yang didirikan oleh Nyo Beng Seng itu, Black Brothers merekam album pertama mereka, Irian Jaya I. Di album ini juga ada lagu “Kisah Seorang Pramuria” yang diciptakan Hengky. Menurut Ibiroma, album itu sempat mendapat kritik karena menampilkan lagu “Kisah Seorang Pramuria” yang sudah populer lebih dulu oleh The Mercys. Black Brothers dianggap mendompleng nama besar Mercys. Padahal lagu itu adalah ciptaan Hengky yang dibuat pada 1972. Saat itu Hengky masih bermain dalam grup Galaxy’s 69 di Sorong. Hengky juga seperti punya ketertarikan dengan tema pramuria. Setidaknya ia membuat beberapa lagu dengan judul mengandung kata pramuria. Selain lagu tersohor itu, ada juga “Cinta dan Pramuria”, “Untukmu Pramuria”, “Doa Pramuria”, Balada Pramuria”, dan “Pramuria Tapi Biarawati.”

Di album perdana Black Brothers, ada beberapa lagu hits. Salah satunya adalah interpretasi ulang lagu daerah Papua, “Apuse”. Awalnya lagu ini bertempo lambat. Hingga di menit 1:20, saat gitar solo Hengky masuk, tempo berubah jadi ngebut. Funk dengan tenaga penuh! Diakhiri dengan sirkus sinkopasi antara gitar dan drum. Salah satu momen penting dalam karier Black Brothers datang pada 28 Desember 1976. Atas inisiatif kelompok mahasiswa Papua di Jakarta, Black Brothers manggung bersama SAS, grup band pecahan AKA yang terdiri dari Soenata Tanjung, Arthur Kaunang, dan Syech Abidin. Dua band funk rock ini manggung di Istora Senayan. Black Brothers membawakan lagu bernuansa Papua berjudul “Huembello” yang dimainkan dengan gaya hard rock.   

Sepanjang karier, mereka membuat 8 album studio dan 3 album kompilasi lagu terbaik. Semua album dirilis oleh Irama Tara. Album kedua mereka, Derita Tiada Akhir (1977) melejitkan lagu “Hari Kiamat”. Satu-satunya lagu berbahasa Papua di album ini adalah Huembello.

Sebagai kelompok band, mereka dikenal berani memasukkan tema yang tak lazim. Selain itu, mereka juga memainkan lagu keroncong, semisal “Keroncong Kenangan” atau “Keroncong Gunung Cyclop”. “Mereka juga pernah menulis lagu tentang perang Vietnam, kelaparan di Ethiopia, perang Pasifik, juga tentang nuklir,” ujar Ibiroma.

Pada 1980-an, mereka pindah ke Belanda. Ada simpang siur tentang alasan kepergian mereka. Ada yang mengatakan mereka pergi untuk mencari suaka politik. Ada pula yang mengatakan mereka pergi untuk mengejar karier musik. Menurut Ibiroma yang beberapa kali menulis tentang Black Brothers, kepergian mereka lebih untuk mengejar karier. “Kalau tekanan politik tidak mungkin. Mereka dapat izin manggung kok pada saat itu,” ujarnya. Pengamat musik Denny Sakrie, dalam wawancara bersama Metro TV, pernah mengatakan kepergian itu amat disayangkan. Kepergian itu, membuat penggemar mereka di Indonesia kehilangan jejak Black Brothers. Tak tahu apa yang mereka buat di Belanda. “Sangat disayangkan, band yang punya prospek masa depan yang bagus, akhirnya menjadi hilang ditelan bumi. Karena visi politik yang lebih kuat,” kata Denny.
(Sumber: “Black Brothers, Duta Rock dari Tanah Papua”, https://tirto.id)

Value

Album  Black Brothers Volume 2 hanya memuat satu lagu berbahasa Papua “Huembello” dan tujuh lagu berbahasa Indonesia. Namun Black Brothers telah membawa spirit budaya Papua dalam musik Indonesia.

(Writer: Abdul Malik – Museum Musik Indonesia)