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  | DEWA BUDJANA ~ ZENTUARY
FAVORED NATIONS 2880 (Barcode: 6908972880160) ~ INDONESIA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016
This is the tenth album by Indonesian guitarist / composer Dewa BudjanaFind albums by this artist, this time a double CD effort, recorded with a stellar cast consisting of bassist / Chapman Stick player Tony LevinFind albums by this artist, drummer / keyboardist Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and drummer / pianist Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. Several guest artists and the Czech Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist appear on selected tracks. Each of the two CDs presents six original compositions, all but one composed by Budjana.
The music is a diverse collection of musical influences, which amalgamates Jazz, Fusion and World Music. Melody based, the individual compositions serve basically as vehicles for the lengthy improvisations and solo parts, which are the focus of this album. The melodic substance is somewhat limited emotionally throughout the album´s duration, quite melancholic and gloomy, with hints of Balinese music, which creates an atmosphere of slow movement and even heaviness, which is overall strengthened by the intensive instrumental multilayered presence; definitely not an easy listening experience.
The individual contributions are of course stellar, as expected. Budjana plays some tasty guitar licks and his cohorts support him amicably, all they way through. Both Husband and DeJohnette contribute forceful rhythmic pulsations, Levin takes case of the bottom sounds and Husband as usual creates layers of wonderful keyboard sounds, which keep this complex music wonderfully together. The sax and vocal contributions by the guest are nice ornamentations.
Overall this is a very good Jazz-Rock-World Fusion effort, which is definitely worth investigation. For Fusion and Guitar fans this is heaven on earth of course. Personally I´d prefer a concise one CD version of this music, as the length does not contribute favorably in this case as far as I am concerned. But of course this is not up to me and Budjana surely knows what he is doing.
| | Updated: 03/03/2017Posted: 02/03/2017 | CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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