ADRIAN PALLANT Reviews: ‘Pasar Klewer’ – Dwiki Dharmawan (2CD)

THE SCALE AND DYNAMISM of double album Pasar Klewer, from Indonesian pianist Dwiki Dharmawan, is pretty awe-inspiring.

Reflecting the hustle and bustle of its South-East Asian marketplace title (and reinforced by a lively cover illustration), this ambitious, one-hundred-minute fusion of jazz, rock and world music has at its core a vibrant trio, with Dharmawan joined by the brilliance of bassist Yaron Stavi and drummer/percussionist Asaf Sirkis. But the beautiful eclecticism of contributions made by the pianist’s guest musicians – including clarinettist/saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and electric guitarist Mark Wingfield – elevates these eleven, expansive tracks into a cornucopia of often unexpected riches.

pasar-klewer-cover

Described as a cultural icon in his homeland, performer, composer and arranger Dharmawan’s expertise in bringing together these various strands is impressive; and with a breathlessly flamboyant piano technique, he is clearly an inspirational leader. Title track Pasar Klewer brims with exotic colour, Mark Wingfield’s characteristic, high-velocity guitar the ideal partner for the busyness of Dharmawan, Stavi and Sirkis; yet it is also imbued with the magical sound-imagery of chants, bells and Aris Daryono’s three-stringed rebab. Glad Atzmon’s clarinet deftness (always with such a distinctly ‘vocal’ expression) soars in Spirit of Peace, a relentless, smouldering dance suffused with Nicolas Meier’s glissentar improvisations and Asaf Sirkis’ konakol voicings.

It’s an adventure of mystery and discovery, with the sense of pulling back the curtain to reveal the next chapter – so Atzmon’s superb soprano sax outpourings over vigorous gamelan orchestra and free-jazz piano trio are just a small part of the story of thirteen-minute Tjampuhan; melodically uplifting Frog Dance (with a field recording of the Balinese variety) is irresistible; and Asaf Sirkis’ own Life It Self enjoys a hard-driven prog groove perpetuated by the heavier aspect of his drumming and the stratospheric, pitch-bent guitar of Mark Wingfield.

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  • […] l’album “So far so close”, sorti l’an dernier chez Moonjune Records, ce label américain édite un nouvel album de Dwiki […]
    —Musicinbelgium : DHARMAWAN, Dwiki – Pasar klewer | Dwiki Dharmawan (19/10/2016)
    Musicinbelgium.net : DHARMAWAN, Dwiki – So far so close
  • Maju Terus Musik Atjeh, Dengan Mengedepankan Asas Seuramoe Mekkah akan mengangkat Martabat Kande Dimata Dunia..Beusaban Pikee Nak Saban Seunang.
    —AtjehonLine.com (06/12/2011)
    Launch of KanDe ‘Meukeondroe’
  • Om Dwiki, konser Menembus Batas tahun ini ada???
    —Danuve (22/07/2010)
    KONSER MENEMBUS BATAS
  • where i can watch the videos... thanks before
    —indyastari (16/07/2010)
    World Peace Orchestra presents The Soul of Indonesia
  • Syabas buat Dwiki Dharmawan Orchestra..ianya adalah diantara konser yang terbaik yang pernah saya tonton walaupun hanya di kaca tv..Ada konser ini telah dirakamkan ke dalam bentuk cakera padat?Jika ada,saya ingin sekali memilikinya..
    —ida (25/09/2009)
    KONSER MENEMBUS BATAS
  • Setelah mendengar album ini, saya bangga sekali rasanya jadi Orang Indonesia. Betapa kekayaan budaya kita (yg dalam hal ini adalah musik daerah tradisional) begitu kaya dan indah, kali ini yang diangkat adalah musik daerah timur indonesia. Setelah diolah oleh orang-orang berbakat seperti Dwiki Dharmawan mampu menjadi sajian yang sangat berkelas, kolaborasi antara alat musik tradisional seperti sasando, dan keyboard yang dikemas dalam bentuk Orkestra menjadikan Album ini sangat layak untuk diapresiasi dengan nilai yang sangat tinggi. Terus Berkarya Musisi Indonesia, dan mari ikut serta Memvoting Taman Nasional Komodo masuk kedalam 7 Keajaiban Dunia yang baru.
    —Andian (15/08/2009)
    CD Dwiki Dharmawan – World Peace Orchestra now available
  • om gw ingin bli kasetnya tapi harus mesen ya, jauh bner kalau mesen,sayakan di palembang, pasti mahal harganya blum ongkos kirimnya,saya ingin bnget mempunyai c.dnya
    —roy (13/07/2009)
    CD Dwiki Dharmawan – World Peace Orchestra now available
  • anda bs memesan via WartaJazz.com, dan nanti akan di kirim via TIKI. silakan kontak sales@wartajazz.net atau telp ke 021-8310769
    —admin (07/07/2009)
    CD Dwiki Dharmawan – World Peace Orchestra now available
  • Saya tertarik dengan album WPO ini, apakah selain memesan juga bisa ditemukan di toko musik? Kalau iya, di toko mana ya?
    —Gomat (30/06/2009)
    CD Dwiki Dharmawan – World Peace Orchestra now available
  • Beautiful music, amazing talent of Dwiki and a great production...im very proud to play within this project as a special guest. Kamal M
    —Kamal Musallam (12/06/2009)
    CD Dwiki Dharmawan – World Peace Orchestra now available
  • HAloo Cross Culture Music sangat membuat kita gelisah Jalan teruuus Salam
    —dwiki (07/02/2009)
    “Ilir-ilir” Concert in Beijing
  • Salam kenal Mas, kami pernah juga mengkolaborasikan musik Sunda dan Tionghua, di link ini http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWWEm_xI27U mudah-mudahan suatu waktu kita dapat bekerja sama. Terima Kasih
    —Andry Harmony (04/01/2009)
    “Ilir-ilir” Concert in Beijing

Electronic Press Kit

Dwiki Dharmawan is among Indonesia’s most gifted and celebrated music personalities: a multi-genre keyboardist; skilled composer and producer, and; a conscientious peace activist, equally committed to ecological preservation.

EPK