Geng Wak Long specializes in traditional Kelantan art genres as well as contemporary forms such as Shadow Play (Kelantan leather puppet theatre), dikir barat, Kelantanese silat, Makyung, tari inai and several north-east Malaysian arts.
Geng Wak Long is made up of family members originating from Kelantan and the group received training from the late Pak Awang Hamzah. The founder of the group is Mohd. Kamrulbahri Bin Hussin, who is also known as Kamrulhussin or Wak Long (Wok Long in Kelantanese dialect). He was born in Kampung Banggol Gelang Mas, Pasir Mas, Kelantan (north-east Malaysia).
Kamrul has collaborated with various international musicians such as Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza (pop, traditional), Ramli Sarip (rock), The late Farid Ali-Mr. Gambus (jazz), Dayang Nurfaizah, Raihan, M. Nasir (pop folk), Reshmonu, Zalee Redang, NoranizaIdris, Aseana Percussion Unit, Taikuh Jikang, Kuaetnika “Many Skin One Ryhthm” (Yoryakarta Indonesia), Visnu Mohambat (India), Appex Artis (USA), Sun Son Theatre (Taiwan) and many more. He also worked on soundtracks for several local films such as Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004), Baik Punya Ciluk (2005), Qaisy Dan Laila (2004), Mantra (2010) and Senjakala (2011).
The musicians scheduled to perform at the 2014 Rainforest World Music Festival include Mohd Kamrulbahri Bin Hussin, band leader on rebab, vocals, Malay drum; Hussin Bin Yusoff on serunai, rebab, vocals, Malay drum; Mohd Shafiq Bin Hussin on Malay drum, serunai, vocals; Ahmad Ridwan Bin Hussin on Malay drum, gong, kesi, serunai, vocals; Zamzuriah Binti Zahari on vocals, dancer, canang; Kamarul Baisah Bin Hussin on Malay drum, serunai, vocals; and Dzafaruddin Bin Zainuddin on keyboard, guitar, canang.
Geng Wak Long is set to perform on Sunday, June 22nd at 7:30 – 8:15 pm at the Jungle Stage at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak (Malaysia).
Can you give our readers a brief history on how the band was formed?
Geng Wak Long (GWL) was form in order to preserve our national heritage especially for the next generation. Due to the lack of knowledge by youngsters nowadays on their own culture we took action by forming this group. Basically our group is based/formed out of love to our culture in traditional authentic Kelantan and those who like to keep and focus more on traditional music. Family and close friends mostly.
What do you consider as the essential elements of your music?
GWL focus on the Kelantanese neo authentic traditional music such as Wayang Kulit, Makyung, Dikir Barat, Silat, Main Peteri and Tari Inai. Beside Kelantanese music, we also play other Malaysian traditional music such as Malay Asli Music, contemporary Ghazal Johor, Malay gamelan, Cak Lempong, Keroncong contemporary, Kompang and many more. GWL also plays modern music and contemporary and other genres such as jazz, pop, Latin, ethnic fusion and world music.
Who can you cite as your main musical influences?
GWL mostly refer to many kind of groups depending to genre that GWL are going to play. For Kelantanese Traditional we refer to our late AdiGuru or Master such as the late Hamzah Awang Amat – Malaysian first National Laureate and late Sulaiman for Kelantanese Shadow Puppet Play.
Tell us about your first recordings and your musical evolution.
The first recording that we recorded was influenced by authentic Kelantanese genres and GWL rearranged and combined to contemporary style to become new traditional and called Neo Authentic. The first GWL album also combined with many Kelantanese traditional music genres such as Wayang Kulit Kelantan, Makyung, Dikir Barat, Malay Silat Jawi, Main Peteri, Tari Inai, Asyik, Tarik Selampik and new compositions.
Can you share some information about the program you’ll present at the Rainforest World Music Festival?
GWL will present 3 segments:
1. Big show on an arrangement of Kelantanese Neo Authentic of Malaysian Traditional music such as Wayang Kulit Kelantan, Makyung, Dikir Barat, Malay Silat Jawi, Main Peteri, Tari Inai, Tarik Selampik and New Composition of Malay contemporary music.
2. 3 Workshops on Malay Kelantanese traditional music and dance.
3. 1 Parade with contemporary Malay Kompang
How’s the current traditional and roots music scene in Malaysia?
In Malaysia the traditional music is not popular and many of the masters passed away without giving their knowledge/teachings to new generations.
This is why GWL started this group to ensure our tradition keep continue in the future especially our children, the next generation. GWL also has been active in promoting, nurturing and preserving traditional music to the new generation with the support from many institution such as PETRONAS, UiTM, UPSI and ASWARA.
What musical instruments do you use?
Mostly GWL are using percussive traditional musical instruments such as:
1. Gendang Kelantan – Double Headed Drum
2. Rebab – Three Stringing Fidde (melody)
3. Serunai – Double reed Malay Oboe (melody)
4. Gong – Bronze
5. Canang – one pair of small size gongs
6. Kesi – Small size cymbal
7. Malay Kompang – Single Headed Frame drum
8. Rebana Dikir Barat – Frame drum
If you could gather any musicians or musical groups to collaborate with, whom would that be?
We are open to any musician from any country to collaborate with us.
Do you have any upcoming projects to share with us?
GWL are now doing new album and focusing on new repertoire and new collaboration with other artist in Malaysia and outside Malaysia.
More about the band at: http://www.kamrulhussin.com
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
