Exposé Online Reviews » Dwiki Dharmawan – Rumah Batu

The moody eclecticism and ethnic richness that permeates all of Dharmawan’s latest release surprised even me, and I had marveled at those qualities in his previous release, Pasar Klewer from a couple years ago. An acomplished composer, pianist, and arranger who brings his best effort to the table along with an outstanding international group which includes French guitarist Nguyên Lé, Spanish bass guitarist Carles Benavent, upright bassist Yaron Stavi, and drummer Asaf Sirkis, both Israeli born, now based in the UK, plus a number of traditional guest players including Sa’at Syah on suling flute and vocals, Ade Rudiana playing kendang percussion; singer Dewi Gita’s beautiful voice highlights the third track “Impenan,” which she co-wrote with Dharmawan, plus several other guests on this track or another that altogether make for one magical jazz meets Indonesian traditional cornucopia of sound.

The album’s centerpiece is the “Rumah Batu Suite” (stone house) in two parts for a total of nearly 27 minutes, the first part is an arrangement of the Sulawesi traditional “Kaili,” while the second part “Perjalanan” (meaning “Travels”) is a group-composed extension to the piece, with the fresh breath of improvisation permeating its fabric, starting softly and then morphing into a brisk free-jazz workout between the five main players, with Lé adding some wild elastic guitar soundscapes in the midsection, then a gentle group landing on the other side. “Janger” is another arrangement of a traditional Balinese piece, featuring a full compliment of traditional instrumentation (gamelan, suling (flute), kendang percussion, and more) that integrates seamlessly in a beautiful arrangement with its memorable melody shining through. The two opening tracks “Rintak Rebana” and “Paris Barantai” account for a full album side of Dharmawan-penned melodic jazz invention, where his piano is the guiding force setting the group on a forward path, moving through one idea after another, sometimes with a touch of funk or fusion, but always with an Indonesian cultural flavor thanks to the kendang perussion, suling, and vocals (on the latter track) that surface within the group’s crafty inclinations with regularity. “Samarkand” offers a memorable melody that warms the night as the group makes fire, and features much of the traditional instrumentation as well. Rumah Batu is a long album, approaching the 79 minute mark, but in this case that’s a big plus, as exciting moments are to be found around every new turn as the group proceeds along its path.

Sources:
Expose.org

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    A Night in Murcia
  • […] 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
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    —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