Donny Suhendra's Anumerta Album Released Today, Exactly Three Years After His Death

Donny Suhendra (doc. Ist)

JAKARTA - Donny Suhendra passed away at the age of 64 on June 19, 2022. At that time, the guitarist also left several works such as puzzles that had not yet been completed.

Exactly three years after his departure, a posthumus album (anumerta) with the title "Origin" was released. Nine numbers were completed thanks to the help of two of his friends, Indra Lesmana and Dewa Budjana.

Several musicians were also involved in filling out this album. Those who became collaborators include Cuba Skowronski, Barry Likumahuwa, Agam Hamzah, Mates, Syaharani, and Tohpati.

A fundamental principle is applied in the production of albums, where there are no additional new guitar fillings. All guitar games are heard, 100 percent of Donny's hands. Even if there are additional elements, it is only to support and rearrange the scattered fragments.

"This album is important for the younger generation," said Indra. Because Donny Suhendra is a marker of the birth of modern Indonesian guitarists."

'Los Feliz' was chosen as the main track, which Indra and Budjana agreed to reintroduce Donny Suhendra's figure to people who have never heard of his game.

In addition, there is 'Cintiku Negeri', which is referred to as a track with the most challenging process. The remaining data is only in the form of guitar and vocal guides to the chorus. Donny has finished the lyrics to be sung by Syaharani, but still feels doubtful. In honor of the deceased, Indra and Budjana decided to keep using the original version of the lyrics.

"What's interesting in the solo part of the song, I took it from Kang Donny's song, which has been circulating. I gariced the sound of Kang Donny's guitar pedal and I entered it. So maybe if it was Donny's fans, I would know, I took the guitar from what song, "said Budjana.

The collaboration with Barry Likumahuwa who filled out the bass acoustics for the 'Guests from the East' track occurred in an unexpected way. Of the many musicians who wanted to be involved, Barry was selected to fill out a song for a title that seemed destined to be before it was planned.

In addition to the three songs above, the album title track 'Origin' also has its own story. Donny wants the song to bring the Mandalorian atmosphere in desert, the sound of the wind, and mystery.

For the title 'Origin', Donny had the intention from the start. At that time it was not only a marker of the beginning, but also a kind of mantra that summarized the origin, direction, and end of the search.

This album, said Indra, is Donny's voice when words can't accommodate the depth of meaning. Donny's way of looking at the universe is a long contemplation that eventually finds the most honest medium, namely music.

Donny's departure is a big loss to the music world and the presence of Origin is becoming increasingly important not just respecting the figure of Donny but, as documentation from an important chapter in the history of modern music in Indonesia.