Bio

DEBU's brilliant fusing of East and West, traditional and contemporary, acoustic and electric, yields a unique sound, laced with familiar yet exciting elements. DEBU is a breath of fresh air wafting through the world music scene. Their long-awaited message of love and peace is not new; to them it's the essence of Islam, the Sufi way. They have become increasingly well known over the last four years throughout Indonesia with many personal appearances on the islands of Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Lombok as well as countless TV appearances. During this period they have released three albums with songs mainly in Indonesian, but there are also songs in Arabic and English. DEBU's style and sound are a rich and colorful tapestry of East and West, traditional and modern, with a hint of Latin and a touch of jazz. In a single song you may hear an Iranian santur and an Irish harp accompanied by a simple Turkish beat on the tar and an electric stand-up bass, while in another a hard-driving Arab drum rhythms accompanied by a traditional Arab tambourine, or perhaps the soft lilting sound of the Javanese flute weeping its melodious song of love and longing. This is world music in the truest sense. DEBU, with its multilingual poetry, eclectic and always evolving selection of instruments, and members from various backgrounds and diverse ages, brings a new and exciting sound to the music world. Their poems are the words of the Sufi, both mystical and lyrical, born of a heart intoxicated with love and longing for the Beloved. These are love songs in the truest sense telling of a heart immersed in the Sea of Love. They sing in a number of languages: Indonesian, Arabic, English, Persian, Turkish, Spanish, and Chinese. They are in the process of recording several albums; one in English is planned for the near future. Whatever the language, the message is the same. Most importantly for DEBU is that the music is a means for the transmission of this universal message with the hope it may awaken in the hearts of those who listen to it a love and a longing and remind them of their noble origin. Backround and History of DEBU's Beginning In the spring of 2001, after living in Indonesia for almost two years in southern Sulawesi, the members of DEBU moved to Jakarta. They began practicing music and experimenting with different instruments, drum rhythms and vocals. The impetus for this development was the members' experience while teaching at an Indonesian university in Makassar. They sang with the students as recreation and motivation, adding excitement and enthusiasm to the students' daily routine. The response and receptiveness by students, fellow teachers and the surrounding community was overwhelming. The group began in earnest studying and writing music, and learning and practicing an eclectic ensemble of instruments. Mustafa, at 20 years old, became one of the composers, main arranger and lead vocalist for the group. Thus, the 18 member group DEBU was born. In April 2001, DEBU began performing by invitation around the greater Jakarta area. Two years later, in April 2003, after countless performances in a variety of settings (from intimate gatherings to corporate galas), and many television appearances (including two award winning special TV series dedicated to DEBU�s music), the group's first album was released in Indonesia. Entitled Mabuk Cinta (Drunk with Love), it is a ten-song Indonesian and Arabic album. Mabuk Cinta was subsequently released the US and Malaysia in November 2003. Television exposure of the video of DEBU's first single "Cinta Saja" (Just Love), and radio play of this hit, helped the group and the album gain national attention in Indonesia and Malaysia. The second album, Makin Mabuk (Even More Drunk), was released in September 2004 and quickly followed the success of the first album. In the summer 2006, DEBU finished recording two albums, Nyawa dan Cinta (The Soul and Love) and a yet to be release Turkish album. Nyawa dan Cinta follows Makin Mabuk two years after its release. In this two year period, DEBU worked on many recording projects but the groups main focus was designing and completing their own recording studio. The new studio gave Mustafa and the members of DEBU much more creative freedom to experiment and perfect the recording craft. DEBU regularly performs in Indonesia. DEBU has songs in many languages and now seeks to broaden its audiences and spread its universal message. DEBU continues, in and out of the studio, to work on existing and new material for upcoming multilingual releases. Poetry & Lyrics O Allah, this poor heart of mine it overflows, I know I owe such gratitude for this to You, You know my heart it always sings, such joy it knows, Its voice is filled with sweetness, it remains so true, My heart is filled up to the brim and overflows, With Love's pure sweetness that is poured to me from You. Prisonor of Joy Allah, My Heart Calls Out to You! This slave remains indeed amazed, While begging for Your mercy too, Estranged within this world, half-dazed, Allah, my heart calls out to You. Some only seek reward it's true, This slave seeks you and only You, It's idol worship that they do, Allah, my heart calls out to You. And paradise I don't pursue, Although its beauty's always true, I seek its Owner, yes I do, Allah, my heart calls out to You. In paradise without Your face, The houris would be saddened too, Your face illuminates that place, Allah, my heart calls out to You. Allah, this slave does suffer too, His heart it only grieves for You, A prey of this wolf he is too, Allah, my heart calls out to You. The love of this Your slave is meek, Yet I complain only to You, Upon my face I fall, I'm weak, Allah, my heart calls out to you. This slave remains indeed amazed, While begging for Your mercy too, Estranged within this world, half-dazed, Allah, my heart calls out to You. The Soul and Love The soul and love became united, Then into this realm they both came, Together they're always undivided, Joined forever their source the same. After the two were mingled and blended, In a mixing that took place in such a way, That all their boundaries were transcended, Ever since then together they stay. And so it was in this amazing manner, That love and the soul were forever blended, Joined by the One Who is the best Planner, Both vanish in this mixture so splendid. From the very strength of this blended state, The soul with love has become united, Which is the essence and which is the trait, I don't see how this could be decided. Maybe it's love that's become the essence, While it's attribute may be the soul, Not knowing which has become the quintessence, I can't say which one plays which role. I can't really say if it's this way or that, I just don't know what it is in the end, There's no other way I can't be exact, This mixture is such a wonderful blend. The result of this process was awesome indeed, Both love and the soul forever connected, The two of them speak and the words each one heeds, Mingled and blended together protected. The basis of love is said to be fire, While the soul is derived from the wind, The wind itself it ignites this fire, And the fire then consumes the wind again Let's Say it All Together Come on Muslim, Come on Hindu, Let's just say it all together, La ilaha illallahu, All together and in time! Followers of Budha and Jesus, Come let's say it all together, La ilaha illallahu, Come on, let's go into the Garden. Let's all have a feast together, With these very words, Abandoning all accusations, Let's all join together, Zikr Allah, left and right, La ilaha illallahu, Saying it will refresh you. La ilaha illallahu! Is the ocean of love, And, Ahmad, he is the ship, Come on, let's sail upon it! Let's all join together, Zikr Allah, left and right, La ilaha illallahu, Like a sufi, come on friend! Come let's all say it now, La ilaha illallahu, Leave off all of this debating, Just come and say this first! Forgive Me I Seek Allah's Forgiveness My Lord, I seek Your forgiveness, From every error and each sin, Allow this slave into Your Presence, To see Your Shining Face within. Permit me to approach You, Leave nothing in the way, So I can see You in full view, Behind this veil don't stay. Clean this poor heart of mine, Bestow upon it blessed sight, Let me see Your Face Divine, Witnessing its shining light. www.musikdebu.com blog.myspace.com/debuonline [color="blue"][/color][color="darkblue"][/color][b][/b][b][/b][b][color="green"][/color][indent][/indent][b][indent][/indent][code][/code][link="URL"]