Combine Modern Music With Karo Traditional Instruments, Collaboration Of Iwan Hasan And Makki 'Ungu' Lahirkan Ragu - Sibincar Layo

Iwan & Makki Collective (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Iwan & Makki Collective, a new music project that combines two different characters, released their debut single Ragu - Sibincar Layo.

Iwan Hasan is a composer, orchestral arranger and guitarist for the progressive rock band Discus. Meanwhile, Makki Parikesit is the bassist of the pop band, Ungu. Now, they collaborate by playing music that combines elements of pop, jazz and progressive rock.

In the song Ragu - Sibincar Layo, Iwan and Makki took Fitra Chord Barus as vocalist. And interestingly, this song is a combination of the song Ragu by Iwan and Fitra with the traditional song Karo Sibincar Layo which was composed by Fitra's late biological grandmother, Tipan Br. Sembiring (1906-1997) in the first half of the 20th century.

The song Sibincar Layo is well known among the Karo people. This song tells the story of a person's efforts to convince the person he loves not to hesitate to accept his love. While the lyrics to the song Ragu were written by Fitra as an interpretation of the lyrics of Sibincar Layo in the contemporary version.

To strengthen the character of Karo culture, in composing this song, they involved traditional musicians Junianto Meliala (Karo percussionist) and Mardi Sembiring (Sarune, a traditional wind instrument that is currently rare for players). In addition to the two names, there are also Yessi Kristianto (keyboards) and Cliff Sumeisey (drums).

Combining modern music with traditional Karo musical instruments, this song was made in three versions: a standard version, a radio edit and an extended version. A music video has also been made for the edited radio version which is more ear-catching than the other two versions.

The song Ragu - Sibincar Layo is already available on various digital music platforms.