Introducing their forthcoming debut LP ‘Tropical Desert’, which drops September 26th on Wonderwheel Recordings, Indonesian instrumental jazz outfit BABON present the album’s first two singles, ‘Cacti Traveler’ and ‘Mirage’.
‘Cacti Traveler’ is the story of an intergalactic journeyman who travels through a tropical landscape, uncovering the past and glimpsing possible futures. His journey traces the history of tropical development, from independence to the industrial revolution and modern life, moving from lush forests to a deserted wasteland. The brass melodies narrate the story, weaving through the air as life unfolds—each note capturing moments of wonder, sorrow, and hope. As the journey deepens, hip-hop-inspired beats emerge, echoing the steps of the Traveler. It all culminates in a spiritual jazz finale, a nod to the musical roots that continues to shape BABON’s sound.
‘Mirage’ (out July 25th) is a journey into the psyche of a man lost in a desert. Almost losing his mind, he continuously recollects himself in order to keep going. The song features prominent synthesizer melodies, a new sonic element which provides a glimpse into BABON’s future explorations. BABON’s hip-hop influence comes through in the song’s verses. Reverb drenched guitars and an emotional solo expresses the character’s inner turmoil as he navigates an expansive landscape.
BABON is an instrumental band from Indonesia consisting of Rayi, Wahyudi and Rori. Their sound weaves traditional Indonesian genres such as keroncong and dangdut with western and world music influences, such as middle-eastern-grooves and afro-funk. BABON’s songs tell stories of environmental degradation and its inherent human drama. In a live setting the band expands to a 7 piece. They describe the fusion of their unique sound and environmentally fuelled imagery as ‘Tropical Desert’ music.
Listen to Cacti Traveler and Mirage
Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff
