Dharmawan, Dwiki: Pasar Klewer

Dwiki Dharmawan is an Indonesian pianist who has recently been discovered by our friends at Moonjune Records. His debut on Moonjune titled So Far, So Close (reviewed on this site) was released in 2015 and has been quickly followed with his latest offering Pasar Klewer.

In the heart of the band are Dhamawan (acoustic piano), Yaron Stavi (upright bass, bass guitar) and Asaf Sirkis (drums, udu clay percussion, konakol singing). There are also some fine musicians helping them out including Mark Wingfield and Nicolas Meier on guitar and Gilad Atzmon on clarinet and soprano saxophone.

If complex fusion, world and jazz music is what you seek you should get much enjoyment out of this one. Lots of complexity and improvisation to go along with some pretty good melodies as well. It is not an easy listen by any means but there are some really nice moments here. Dharmawan is an exceptional talent whether improvising or delving into compositional form.

To get a taste of what's to come have a listen to the album opening title track. Quite a lovely piano melody builds ever so slightly before marching drums and Wingfield's fluid guitar work majestically appear. Indonesian instruments are incorporated reaching a crescendo, as well as tempo changes and a high degree of complexity. On "Spirit Of Peace" there is an Eastern European vibe, a gypsy flair with very satisfying guitar from Meier. On the ethereal sounding "Tjampuhan" the saxophone and interjections of Indonesian percussive sounds is another melodic yet chaotic mix of complex music. Dharmawan's piano courses through the piece like a stream through the countryside, providing a comforting balance between organized chaos and serenity.

One of the most difficult tracks is "Lir IIir", the opening tune on disc two. The vocals won't be everyone's cup of tea and the violin adds harsh sounding edges to what is a very experimental soundscape.

If the last one proves to be too difficult to handle perhaps the melodic and joyous sounding "Frog Dance" will be more of an uplifting experience. The sax and piano are outstanding together.

One of the prettiest tunes in the slow moving dream that is "Bubuy Bulan". A delightful piano solo is matched by clarinet play of equal beauty. The gently brushed drum work is also noteworthy.

Call this what you will, there is no denying the outstanding musicianship and imagination put forth with this latest platter. Packed full of jazz, fusion, world and experimental sounds, Pasar Klewer will give the adventurous listener hours of enjoyment.

Track Listing:
CD 1
1. Pasar Klewer (12:14)
2. Spirit Of Peace (8:55)
3. Tjampuhan (12:58)
4. Forest (8:00)
5. London In June (4:58)

CD 2
1. Lir IIir (11:39)
2. Bubuy Bulan (8:31)
3. Frog Dance (10:54)
4. Life Its Self (7:00)
5. Purnama (6:49)
6. Forest (Instrumental) (7:59)

Added: February 5th 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Facebook Page
Hits: 1714
Language: english

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