Jakarta. There is no doubt that AKA is one of the most important bands in the history of Indonesian rock music. Active from 1967 until a lineup change led them to disband in 1975, the Surabaya-based group established the country’s early rock scene with a fusion of blues-based flower rock and harmony-laden balladry.

Taking its name from the initials of Apotik Kali Asin, the pharmacy owned by the parents of the group’s legendary vocalist Ucok Harahap, AKA established its legacy with a total of nine records and several “best of” compilations.

Given the enthusiastic reception for last year’s “Those Shocking Shaking Days” compilation, which was released by American label Strawberry Rain and features an array of “classic rock” Indonesian bands, it appears the time has come again for this genre. The international collector market has found another treasure trove of untapped music.

It therefore comes as no surprise that a label like the European-based Granadilla Records wanted to get in on the action by reissuing AKA’s 1970 debut album “Do What You Like.”

Aptly described by Granadilla as “a colorful album with a diversity of moods,” “Do What You Like” is indeed a mishmash of late-’60s and early-’70s popular music.

It pays tribute to Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath in its crunchy rhythms, squealing guitars, and martial drumming, while also drawing from the ’shroomy psychedelic rock of The Doors’ wildest moments and Pink Floyd’s earlier output.

Though the sound is undeniably Western, what sets “Do What You Like” apart is that its three- and four-part harmonies resemble less of the Beach Boys and more of Malay Pop, with the band’s yearning delivery recalling traditional Indonesian music. It is there that the record’s true identity resides.

The album is compact and lacking any weak spots in its well-rounded nine tracks. Though the three English-language tracks are more derivative than the Indonesian-language songs, they feel no less “true.”

Unlike the output of AKA’s peers — and to an extent, the band’s later albums — the songs feel utterly uncalculated in their delivery. The dry band-in-a-room approach to production provides the LP with an unexpected vigor, while keeping all the elements marvelously balanced.

Ucok’s English-language vocals are enhanced by his relatively good pronunciation (unusual for Indonesian bands of the time), and his unique Jimi Hendrix-meets-choirboy style carries the songs well, as does Syech Abidin’s pummeling at the drums.

One of the record’s best tracks is “Akhir Kisah Sedih” (“The End of a Sad Story”), a kaleidoscopic piece of a psych ballad that doesn’t let up from its first sorrowful notes.

Twinkling toy piano keys dance alongside an electric organ, with George Harrison-like leads and some of the band’s best harmonies — all drenched in natural reverb. The song fades out as a chorus of “Always Joyful” begins to form, retaining the track’s melancholy through the end.

“Panorama Pagi” (“Morning Panorama”) is equally luscious, with Ucok’s double-tracked voice bellowing atop bouncy rhythms and inspired instrumental work.

The song, like many on the record, doesn’t exactly have a chorus per se, but AKA’s formula of catchy verses and psychedelic middle eights never grows tired.

AKA’s enduring nuance makes what could be just another ’70s pop-rock record a truly inspired listen.

Context plays a large part, but even without the lingering ’70s background and nostalgia, “Do What You Like” is an album for any time, brimming with confidence and passionate song writing.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/features/global-interest-brings-aka-back-life/