At Adau – Oba (At Adau, 2019)
At Adau, the leading world music band in Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo), released their second album Oba in 2019. At Adau’s music is rooted in the indigenous communities of Borneo and combines it with Afro-Latin music, rock and even flamenco. Band members belong to various Sarawakian tribes, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Kenyah and also incorporate instruments and rhythms from the Melanau and the Penan.
Oba means love in the Kenyah language. The album features a mix of fascinating, lively musical pieces as well as evocative slow tempo tunes. At Adau is known for using two sape (Sarawakian boat-shaped lute) players as lead instrumentalists. The band also uses their familiar serutong (Bidayuh drum) and a wide range of traditional drums and percussion. On Oba, At Adau added new instruments including the Penan nose flute and the hulusi (Chinese three-tube flute).
The lineup includes Meldrick Bob on jembe, Iban drum, percussion, drum set; Ezra Tekola on 4 and 6-string sape; Luke Wrender David on 4 and 3-string sape; Jackson Lian Ngau on perutong (Bidayuh bamboo zither), Bidayuh drum and bass drum; Cedric Riseng on guitar; and Alfonso Mckenzie on bass.
Buy Oba
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.