⋰
Sama’ 1 (Dusk)
The first of two recordings made in Taman Negara, Malaysia; this one was made at dusk.
After a 4 hour boat trip into the jungle, we walked for about 1.5 hours to reach the hide where we spent the night. As it got darker, it started to rain. This then developed into a huge tropical rain. The recording was made outside the hide, as the sun was setting. Throughout the recording, the rain became heavier and eventually subsided, after which the jungle came alive again.
Sama’ 2 (Dawn)
This is the second of two recordings made in Taman Negara, Malaysia; but this one was recorded at dawn. Although recorded in the same area, this recording presents an almost completely different soundscape than the one made at dusk, further illustrating the equally interesting and amazing sonic diversity in this particular region.
Sama re-release
In 2019, Sama’ 1 and 2 got re-released as a digital download by and/OAR on Bandcamp.
⋰
2001
Sama’ 1 - Vital Weekly (October 2002)
This is Jarra’s second disc of environmental works. Or rather: work. His first one, reviewed in Vital Weekly 296, was a collection of silences, recorded around the world. Here, on his new release, he has one piece of unprocessed environmental recording, recorded in Malaysia. The sunset comes in at 19:00 and while it gets darker, it starts to rain, gradually developing into a tropical rain. We hear insects and other animals of the jungle, and the rain pouring on the hide, where Jarra is with his recording equipment. When the rain is getting less, the animals come back and the jungle is ready for the night. In all it’s simpleness, an effective recording, which is a true beauty to hear throughout. It’s a composition by all means, a lively one for that matter, with subtle changes, head and tail. Nature composes it’s own music. All we have to do is sit right there and register it’s composition. It takes two good ears to do so. Jarra has these ears, fortunately! One of the better works in soundscaping I heard recently. (Frans de Waard)
Sama’ 2 - Vital Weekly (April 2003)
This is the follow up to ‘Sama 1’, which was reviewed in Vital Weekly 343. Made on the same trip to Malaysia, but now at dawn, while the sun is rising. Jarra is awake early and outside the hide where he spent the night, he sits there with his microphone and minidisc to record the events in the jungle. Quite contrary to ‘Sama 1’, this is a much more minimal affair. In ‘Sama 1’ we could hear the rain coming, which eventually grew into a large tropical rain. Nothing here of that kind. The jungle comes alive after the night of rain and we hear the insects, birds and other animals waking each other. “Sama 2’ is a very minimal work, that when superficially heard, is maybe one static work, but when listened more closely is a very vibrant work. Small events happen, sounds disappear as they rise, outbursts far away, of insects. It’s not as impressive as ‘Sama 1’, but once again Jarra proved to have a great pair of ears to capture, in all it’s simplicity, the sounds of the jungle. Great work of soundscaping. (Frans de Waard)