Budjana, Dewa: Hasta Karma

Dewa Budjana is an Indonesian guitarist living in Jakarta and he does 200+ shows a year with his main rock band GIGI which is huge over there and is also building a guitar museum on his native Bali. His discography is quite large already having released eight solo albums, his latest titled Hasta Karma. This is his fourth album released on MoonJune Records.

Joining Budjana are Joe Locke (vibraphone), António Sanchez (drums) and Ben Williams (upright bass). Guests include Indra Lesmana (piano and melodica on tracks 4, 5, 6) and Jro Ktut Sidemen (vocals on track 4).

The disc begins with "Saniscara", a jazzy slice of floating guitar chords and upbeat fusion. The tune flows from up-tempo sections to softer parts laced with dreamy vibraphone and liquid sounding bass. Budjana's immense talent can be heard in the disc's first solo but it is not just the solos where he excels. In "Desember" his softer guitar voicings are sublime but when he needs a bit more crunch, he easily incorporates heavier riffs and lightning fast fret work. Here is guitar work is a bit angular and his tone fuzzier. Again, dreamy soundscapes can be heard throughout the pretty "Jayaprana" and as the groove settles in the guitar rhythms become more complex and the drum work more intricate. On the ambitious "Ruang Dialisis", a tribute to the guitarist's late father, the music floats like a dream with soaring cutting edge guitar, drifting vibraphone solos and adept cymbal work. That is until all chaos ensues and the music veers into the avant-garde with angular guitar fills and an improvised rhythm section before ending as it began, in a much more poignant manner.

The album ends with the carefree jazz rock of "Just Kidung" and the poignant "Payogan Rain", featuring Williams' exceptional bass work and lovely melodica from Lesmana. Budjana's solos are tasty as well.

I have no hesitation recommending Hasta Karma for fans of jazz rock and fusion. The musicianship and arrangements are of the highest quality.

Track Listing:
1. Saniscara (8:03)
2. Desember (7:36)
3. Jayaprana (8:32)
4. Ruang Dialisis (11:47)
5. Just Kidung (10:03)
6. Payogan Rain (6:44)

Added: February 22nd 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1974
Language: english

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