Chaka Music Production

Performed by Iga Mawarni

About The Project

“Sesal” is a reflective and spiritual composition written by Dodo Zakaria and Iga Mawarni. Produced by the late Riza Arshad, the song combines intimate acoustic instrumentation with a deeply personal lyric about repentance, faith, and surrender to God.

I had the privilege of performing double bass on this recording alongside some of Indonesia’s finest musicians, contributing to a live studio session that emphasized musical interaction and organic performance.

Recording Credits

Songwriters

• Dodo Zakaria
• Iga Mawarni

Produced by

• Riza Arshad

Musicians

• Iga Mawarni — Vocal
• Riza Arshad — Acoustic Piano
• Chaka Priambudi — Double Bass
• Aditya Bayu — Acoustic Guitar
• Reza Achman — Drums

Recording Studio

• Like Earth Studio, Menteng, Jakarta

Lyrics Excerpt

Indah dunia ini
kadang menyilaukan bahkan membutakan
hingga hilang arah dan tujuan

Derita hidup ini
tlah aku jalani, dan aku hadapi
tak ada lagi percaya diri

Tertutup, iman ini tertutup
meninggalkan jalanMu

PadaMu, kulantunkan sesalku
atas segala salahku
kuberserah padaMu
bersujud kumemohon ampunanMu
Tuhan

Recording Process

Day 1 — Live Band Recording

The instrumental tracks were recorded live at Like Earth Studio in Menteng, Jakarta. Rather than recording each instrument separately, the ensemble performed together in the studio, allowing the musicians to interact naturally and capture the emotional nuances of the song in real time.

The session featured:

• Riza Arshad on acoustic piano
• Aditya Bayu on acoustic guitar
• Reza Achman on drums
• Chaka Priambudi on double bass

This live recording approach created a warm and authentic foundation that became the emotional core of the production.

Day 2 — Vocal Recording

On the second day, Iga Mawarni recorded her vocal performance. With the live band already captured, the focus shifted entirely to interpreting the song’s message of reflection, regret, and spiritual surrender.

The result is an intimate performance that complements the organic character of the instrumental recording.

My Role

For this project, I performed double bass as part of the rhythm section. The goal was to support the harmonic movement of the piano while providing a warm acoustic foundation for the ensemble.

Working alongside Riza Arshad was a valuable experience, particularly in understanding how acoustic instruments can breathe together within a live recording environment.

Reflection

“Sesal” remains one of those recording sessions that demonstrates the power of live performance in the studio. With minimal separation between musicians and a strong emphasis on interaction, the recording captured a sincerity that is difficult to replicate through heavily edited productions.

The song’s message of humility, repentance, and returning to faith continues to resonate, making it a meaningful project to have been part of.

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Role: Double Bass Player
Project Type: Studio Recording Session
Location: Like Earth Studio, Menteng, Jakarta
Year: 2011
Client / Artist: Iga Mawarni & Riza Arshad Production Team