Home » Anne Carlini – Exclusive Magazine – ‘Rumah Batu’ Dwiki Dharmawan Reviews

For those not in the know, Dwiki Dharmawan creates jazz influenced by the traditional music of Indonesia, where he came of age on the island of Java.

His band, Krakatau, is acclaimed worldwide and his newest project, the World Peace Orchestra (WPO), aims to bring social harmony and consciousness to the globe.

Dwiki Dharmawan is very proud of his nationalism and strongly believe in internasionalism, He want his generation to have spirit to always seek new ideas and innovation based on the richness of tradition, diversity and pluralism as given. Because a nation’s greatness is reflected in her arts and culture.

In addition to producing nine albums with Krakatau and with numerous well-known artists, Dwiki Dharmawan has also produced a solo album entitled Nuansa in 2002 (Sony Music Entertainment), and now riding the momentum of 2016’s groundbreaking, critically heralded release, Pasar Klewer, MoonJune Records is releasing his phenomenal new album, Rumah Batu, this July 20th, 2018.

1. ‘Rintak Rebana’ (10:39)
2. ‘Paris Barantai’ (11:43)
3. ‘Impenan’ (8:20)
4. ‘Janger’ (5:59)
5. ‘Rumah Batu Suite, Part 1 – Kaili’ (12:24)
6. ‘Rumah Batu Suite, Part 2 – Perjalanan’ (14:14)
7. ‘Samarkand’ (7:40)
8. ‘Selamatkan Orang Utan’ (7:16)

Drawing from both his extensive jazz influences and his rich cultural heritage, the Indonesian maestro delivers yet another spellbinding masterwork.

Brimming with adventurous compositions, ingenious arrangements and superlative performances, Rumah Batu almost defies categorization – eclipsing both progressive jazz and world music genres.

While a score of diverse ethnic flavors abound throughout, within its nucleus resides the free-spirited, unpretentious essence that epitomizes the greatest jazz.

Augmented by a stellar cast of players, vastly international in scope – including: the enigmatic Parisian virtuoso, of Vietnamese descent, Nguyn L, on guitar; legendary flamenco fretless bassist, Spain’s Carles Benavent; the extraordinary flutist, also from Indonesia, Sa’at Syah, and; the proven progressive backbone of fellow Israeli-born, UK transplants, Yaron Stavi [on upright bass] and drummer Asaf Sirkis – this landmark recording offers an intimate glimpse into Dwiki’s unparalleled genius as player, arranger and songwriter.

The album chronicles yet another magical session created and captured at the already-infamous La Casa Murada. Situated in the tranquil, picturesque setting of the Catalonian wine region of Peneds, Spain, the studio’s recordings seem to take on a life of their own; and Rumah Batu is certainly no exception: articulating jazz’s continuing evolution in the 21st century.

If, much like myself, you’ve never heard of this iconic keyboardist, composer and producer, Dwiki Dharmawan before reading this, trust me when I say that all his back catalogue of musical works are well worth checking out.

His latest solo album Rumah Batu (which means ‘the stone house’ in Indonesian Bahasa language), is no exception to that have-to-listen guideline either, for it beautifully, and so profoundly blends world renowned jazz influences and creative improvisation with his very own richly steeped Indonesian cultural heritage.

Bringing forth a progressive jazz album soaked in a delightful world music blanket of love, Dharmawan showcases eight new compositions in some style, it has to be said. Compiling that aforementioned wonderful cast of players to augment his musical desire for all to hear, stand out’s here for me are such musicians as both legendary flamenco fretless bassist, Spain’s Carles Benavent and the quite extraordinary flutist, also from Indonesia, Sa’at Syah.

Of course, everyone comes together to create the final stunning output that we now have here on CD, and that includes the guest vocalists on Rumah Batu. Ergo, the end result is a set of individual tracks that once played together provide us a wealth of inspired, and freely transformational musical emotions that will stay with you for years to come.

So, and for those who wondered what Messenger Dharmawan could possibly conjure as a follow-up to Rumah’s unanimously praised predecessor, prepare to be amazed and perplexed – and escorted on a musical sojourn unlike any the genre has ever witnessed.

Source:
Annecarlini.com