by Alison Bone

When Aray D’Sky, gathered some of the industries most talented musicians together for a series of recording sessions, the resulting chemistry produced one of the strongest debut CD’s to come out of Indonesia in recent times. Released by Reality features a unique and uplifting sound, a kind of soulful bluesy reggae that you just can’t help humming along to. The creative collaboration has been named Ray D’Sky signaling a ray of light in the music industry. Misty day, Angel and Compassion stand out as highlights on the album although the track entitled The song is my favourite and  has been playing over and over in my head since hearing it for the first time. I have no doubt that it will soon be playing on radio stations all over the country

Paying homage to their reggae roots they chose Sama Sama – Gili Trawangan’s famous reggae bar – to kick off the Released by reality beach tour on November 16^th. People started gathering at sunset and the flaming crimson sky made a spectacular backdrop for the beach front stage. As darkness fell the crowds came; a mix of western surfers; Euro backpackers; island locals and Indonesian rastas. House band, S2B, got things rolling with an energetic reggae set, they were followed by island favourite and Sama Sama regular, Richard D’Gilis. By 10.00 the crowd was fuelled by the music, copious amounts of Bintang and the party island vibe that Gili is famous for. Ray D’ Sky took to the stage and played a set list of songs from the album interspersed with reggae covers that had everyone swaying bare foot on the sand under a blanket of stars. Afterwards the artists and anyone else who wanted to join in got into some serious jamming, something that Sama Sama has become famous for.

I have a drink with Acok, owner of the family run  Sama Sama and he tells me that he opened the bar/restaurant because he wanted to create “something different and more chilled”, on the island ? where the music scene is predominantly techno and electro. He has hosted some fabulous beach parties this year, including the 2-day highly debauched Jammin Island Roots Rock Reggae festival which took place in March, and a mega birthday party celebrating their second anniversary in July. Steven and the Coconut Treez and Richard D’Gili’s headlined both events.

Ray D’Sky moved on to Bali for the second leg of their tour, playing to a packed crowd at Obsession in Seminyak on the 20^th.^. The sunset acoustic set at Warung beach Club in the heart of Kuta beach on the 21^st represented a change of pace, with Hamanah drum n dance opening with a funky African drum set.  Family, friends and guests gathered in a more intimate setting and the comfy sofas and chilled out atmosphere made it feel more like a party in someone’s living room.

An extensive tour across Indonesia is scheduled for 2010, check their website at www.raydsky.com Released by Reality  can be purchased online.

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