{"title":"Babon","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"desert-rose","title":"Desert Rose","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn their debut 45 for Batov Records, Indonesia-based Babon deliver two irresistible jams, cooked from a recipe full of Indonesian flavours, Afro Latin funk, Morricone grooves, Bollywood breaks and blues, they call “Tropical Desert Music”. A must-hear for fans of Surprise Chef, Khruangbin, or Sababa 5. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrummer Wahyudi T. Raupp and multi-instrumentalist Rayi Raditia, friends since high school in Jakarta, via university life in Melbourne, formed Babon in 2023 to address environmental issues through instrumental music, thus combining two mutual passions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorking in their home studio free of time restraints, Babon developed their “Tropical Desert Music’’ sound, mixing the energy and influences of Melbourne’s vibrant music scene, with traditional Indonesian forms, from the pulsating rhythms of dangdut, and gamelan, the ritualistic percussion ensemble music native to Java and Bali, to keroncong, a popular and melodic folk style; while addressing environmental concerns and societal complexities, such as the impact of ruthless exploitation on tropical regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the A-side, “Desert Rose” is a spaghetti blues dedicated to the widows marginalised and objectified by mine workers. Rayi’s electric guitar gently wails with the cinematic effect akin to a Tarantino soundtrack, over a hypnotic groove that never grows tired.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the flip, “TNT” explores the moral dilemma faced by a miner torn between the destructive nature of his occupation and the dire financial needs of his family, leading to a downward spiral of alcohol abuse. Slowly raising tension levels, \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBabon pit somber organ riffs over bass guitar fuzz and Indonesian-sounding guitar motifs, leading to a final explosion\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eof guitars and drums. Babon’s “Tropical Desert Music” perfectly complements Batov Records’ rich catalogue of Middle Eastern grooves and is an irresistible sound its own right with a poignant message.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Batov Records","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50940031762763,"sku":"2230668","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Babon_-_Desert_Rose_-_BTR101_-_Packshot_5d9d22eb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733462956"},{"product_id":"tropical-desert-fp","title":"Tropical Desert","description":"\u003cp\u003eTropical Desert is the debut album from Indonesian instrumental band BABON, a compelling sonic journey that weaves stories of environmental collapse and societal unrest. Formed by childhood friends Rayi and Wahyudi—later joined by guitarist Rori—the band found its voice through shared experiences in Melbourne’s diverse music scene and involvement in sustainability projects. These influences shaped their approach to instrumental storytelling, culminating in an album that serves as both a stark warning and a heartfelt invitation to reconnect with the natural world. Rori’s expressive guitar work added new emotional depth to their sound, enriching both their live and studio performances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded at the historic Lokananta studio in Solo, Tropical Desert draws from traditional Indonesian genres like keroncong and dangdut, blending them with global influences ranging from Spaghetti Western soundtracks and Latin grooves to Afro-funk and Middle Eastern melodies. The result is a genre-defying blend that feels both timeless and urgent. The album’s only vocal track, “Pesan dari Gurun,” features indie-folk artist Frau, whose soulful performance underscores the album’s themes of loss, hope, and ecological awareness. Through this richly textured debut, BABON crafts a resonant musical experience that speaks to the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wonderwheel","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53110064709963,"sku":"R2311-4913","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/201375047710.jpg?v=1754355311"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/babon.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}