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Dara Puspita - Dara Puspita 1966-1968

Dara Puspita 1966-1968 by Dara Puspita

Dara Puspita (trans. "Flower Girls") was arguably the world's greatest all-female garage rock band. The reason you've probably never heard of them was that they came from Indonesia where they were extremely popular during the 1960s. Their career spanned from 1965 until 1973 including 3 years (1969-1971) living and touring in Europe. The four albums recorded by the original members between 1966 and 1968 (the material represented on this CD) is one of the great chapters of 1960s popular music history never to be reissued, let alone recognized beyond a few tuned-in souls and adventurous record collectors in the Western world. Twenty-six of their most spectacular tracks (from the albums Jang Pertama, Special Edition, Green Green Grass, and A-Go-Go) are now finally available to hear in this essential release. Dara Puspita formed in their hometown of Surabaya in 1964. After relocating to Jakarta, the group began to create quite a stir with their wild stage shows. Their local performances were attended by teenagers grooving to the band's raw garage rock sound. The first all-female Indonesian pop group that could play their instruments and sing, Dara Puspita also attracted the attention of Indonesian president Sukarno who labeled Western rock music "a form of mental disease." In 1965 (an eventful and critical year for the group), the girls endured a month-long interrogation by the government for performing "outlawed" rock and roll music, became the house band in a Bangkok nightclub for three months, and were introduced to Dick Tamimi of Mesra records, the man who would launch their recording career. The tracks featured on this compilation were recorded at the height of Dara Puspita's popularity during the immediate post-Communist era of General Suharto's new order; a time when Indonesia's musicians and artists were finally capable of launching their own creative renaissance. This collection is guaranteed to appeal to all fans of the beat a-go-go era of the mid-late 1960s and is a significant missing piece of the global pop music history puzzle. Every single track is a classic, the sound quality is superb, and it should only take one listen to become completely addicted to and charmed by this legendary Indonesian group. Tri-fold digipack CD with 20-page booklet featuring rare & unseen photos provided by Dara Puspita for this specific reissue project and extensive liner notes of the band's phenomenal history by Alan Bishop. TRACKLIST: 01. Pip Pip Yeah, 02. Musafir Cinta (The Love Traveler), 03. Pantai Pataya (Pataya Beach), 04. Pesta Pak Lurah (Mr. Lurah's Party), 05. Bertamasja (On Vacation), 06. Puyaili (Thai Folk Song), 07. A Go Go, 08. Pusdi, 09. Semua Gembira (All Happy), 10. Ibu (Mother), 11. Mabuk Laut (Sea Sick), 12. Soal Asmara (About Love), 13. Aku Pergi (I Go), 14. Rudim, 15. Hallo, Kawan (Hello, Friend), 16. Lagu Rindu (The Longing Song), 17. Believe Me, 18. Hai Kasih (Hi Love), 19. Mengapa (Why?), 20. Mari-Mari (Come on-Come on), 21. Pinokio (Pinnochio), 22. Lihat Adikku (See My Little Sister), 23. Ali Baba, 24. Rantiku, 25. Tanah Airku (My Homeland), 26. Kerja Kami (Our Work)

5...according to .

I've been knowing and doing a research about Dara Puspita for the last 5 years. They're the first Indonesian band, consisted of female players who played in Europe for 3,5 years during the late 60's to early 70's. The CD above however  contains tracks from their studio albums recorded under Indonesian label MESRA and ELSHINTA records. To keep in mind, they also released several singles during their tour in England and The Netherlands.

Delivering cover musics ranging from The Ventures, The Shadows, and also The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, DARA PUSPITA (means Flower Girls) along with their own compoisitions, the band is undoubtedly one of the most phenomenal garage band in this world. Unfortunately they're less known by music community in this world due to the scope of marketing of their label during their heyday. This re-release is an awesome effort to bring them back to the surface. A very good job.

The CD contains raw tracks from their purest rock n roll, that will bring us back to the atmosphere of 60's.

I've been developing a site for a homage of Dara Puspita, see embahgambreng.multiply

The site contains tons of rare  pictures of the band, derived from their ex-roadie Mr Handiyanto, aka Embah Gambreng, that's why the site is named after him.

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