We've included some excerpts from the CD's below that you can download and listen to (highlighted in grey) - just click on the picture of the CD next to the song title. They're all in RealAudio 3.0 format, so you'll need the latest version of the (free) RealPlayer from RealNetworks.

 


Recorded at Kuljit Bhamra's Red Fort Studios in Southall, London, and distributed on his KEDA label, Parrot Soup is our latest CD/cassette. Including:
[RA3 Baris]Baris Traditional Balinese warrior dance.
Selodoran Pop music from Bangiwangi, East Java. With soprano saxophone.
Iffley Bells - Rachel Hewitt Haunting piece in slendro, reflecting two of Rachel's main interests of traditional Javanese gamelan and renaissance vocal polyphony. Vocal solos by Rachel Hewitt and Janet Sherbourne.
Goyang Karawang & Sankala Sundanese gamelan degung pieces
Changes - Michael Parsons The first modern composition by an English composer. Written for the English Gamelan Orchestra in 1981. Based on traditional English change-bell ringing.
Mind The Gap - Mark Lockett Striking piece in mixed tunings.
Parrot Soup - Nick Gray The title track, illustrating the Indonesian folktale of the Parakeet king. Features Balinese-style interlocking patterns & Latin-American rythms.
Bis Malam [RA3 Night Bus]("The Night Bus") - Nick Gray The most popular piece in our reportoire - this loud driving piece depicts the night ride from Java to Bali.

 

"They eschew 'authenticity' to create a hybrid reflecting the jazz, classical, folk and non-Western backgrounds of the musicians. Engaging...perfectly captures the sense of otherworldliness that gamelan can convey. Metalworks have a dreamily mellow sound."

The Wire

 


This first commercially available CD by an English gamelan group was recorded in 1990 at Porcupine Studios in South London, and released on the Practical Music label. Includes:

Harum Scarum - Janet Sherbourne A fast and furious piece in 5 and 7, influenced by Balinese styles.
Emplek-emplek ketepu - Mus Mulyadi A transcription of a modern Indonesian piece.
The Beauty of The Morning - Howard Skempton An atmospheric piece commissioned by Metalworks from one of Britain's leading minimalist composers.
[RA3 Little Blue]Three Pieces - Janet Sherbourne A short suite including a blues with a saxophone solo, & "Into the Devilish Sea", a minimalist composition using "prepared" gamelan.
(It's a) Small World - Mark Lockett Signature tune for the BBC drama serial located in the Far East
Bubaran Robert - Lou Harrison Composition by the first western composer for gamelan. Incidentally - Lou Harrison says he thinks this is the best performance he has heard of this piece. The original melody for trumpet is on soprano saxophone in our recording.

 

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CD & cassette costs

You can purchase our CDs and cassettes directly from us. The costs are all in pounds sterling:

"Parrot Soup" (cassette): £6
"Parrot Soup" (CD): £10
"Metalworks: New Gamelan" (CD) : £6

Postage and packing

Please include payment for postage and packing of:

per CD per cassette
UK £0.60 £0.50
European Union £1.20 £1.00
Rest of world £1.70 £1.40

Payment

Please pay in Sterling by one of the follwing methods:

  • A cheque drawn on a UK bank (made payable to Metalworks).
  • A bankers draft (made payable to Metalworks).
  • Or directly into our current account -- our account details are:

    Midland Bank Plc
    Sort code: 40-35-34
    Account number: 91723693
    tran-code: 84
    Account Name: Metalworks

The last method is actually the easiest for those without a UK bank account. Ask your bank for details -- it's fairly simple.


Difficulties?

If you have problems or questions, please don't hesitate to email us!

Order Form

We have an order form you can print out to make ordering easier.
All OK? Then send your completed order form to:

Metalworks Gamelan
1, St Annes Rd
Caversham
Reading
RG4 7PA
England