Benny Soebardja – The End of the World {1977}

Brilliant Psych Funk from Indonesia, this track is taken from the box set The Lizard Years containing three albums by Benny Soebardja and was published by Strawberry Rain Records in 2012. The album the song appears on is named Gimme A Piece Of Gut Rock was also released separately, I think. More information on Now Again Records and Light In The Attic and here’s a nice interview on It’s Psychedelic, Baby. Benny also played in the band The Peels.

“The self-proclaimed founder of the private press scene, Benny Soebardja is one of the most important figures from the Indonesian music industry.  Having been a member of bands such as ‘The Peels’, ‘Shark Move’ and the infamous ‘Giant Step’, Benny left his mark across many memorable albums throughout the years.  During his career he also recorded solo efforts, which many regard as some of the best music to ever surface from the region.

With the help of British poet Bob Dook, Benny recorded numerous English based songs filled with incredible musicianship and melodies that have an underlying progressive nature.  Backed by the almost unknown ‘Lizard’ (which contained members of both ‘Giant Step’ and Harry Roesli’s ‘Philosophy Gang’), his solo efforts stay in line with the sound of his other bands, yet stand on their own as a unique progressive offering.  Having almost been signed to Virgin Records UK in the 70’s as a part of Giant Step, his talents were apparent and would possibly be world renown by this time if not for his music being lost within Indonesia all these years.

Here, for the first time we present to you his first three private press solo efforts.  Unlike many bands within the Indonesian scene, Benny had no label influence while recording these offerings, making them true private press recordings.  We’ve worked with Benny to release these on vinyl for the first time, and we’ve also included all three albums as a 2 x CD set with a 36 page booklet.  Copies will start shipping in April of 2012.” Citing Strawberry Rain Records.

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