Home » Dharmawan, Dwiki: Anagnorisis

Indonesian Pianist/Composer Dwiki Dharmawan has released an album featuring both varied instrumentation and music. There’s a lot of improvisation within the songs, but a firm base for which the band can return, reconnect, and venture forth. Clarinet, Sax, or Flute often takes the lead as Dharmawan’s piano creates the foundation in what might be described as progressive world music. The guitar work of Vironas Ntolas steps out on “Pacu Javi” and I love the texture created by the upright bass as Dharmawan rips on the piano. A track like “Perjuangan” is an experimental soundscape, focused on creating a mood or atmosphere for the instruments to explore. The more upbeat and traditional “Jazz for Freeport” has great piano at the start, but gets lost as the flute comes in and kills the momentum. Thankfully, the energy returns with trading solos between the guitar, sax and keys that creates excitement. “Timon Mas” and “Lima Dadakan” get a bit too far out there to hold my interest. This kind of music fits perfectly in that 35-40-minute range for maximum impact, I find my mind wandering for the last few tracks.

Great musicianship and the spirit of improvisation and exploration is here; it’s an interesting listen and will turn your ear as it’s anything but ordinary.

Favorite Tracks: “Pacu Javi”, “Jazz for Freeport”

Track Listing
1. Gambang Ney
2. Ya Kita Bisa
3. Pacu Javi
4. Perjuangan
5. Kereta Keren
6. Jazz for Freeport
7. Timun Mas
8. Lima Dadakan
9. Toledo Train
10. Anagnorisis

source: https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews