One listen to the absolutely scorching lead guitar solo from Agam Hamzah on opening track "Bluker", and you have to just feel thankful that musicians are still out there who really give a damn about instrumental virtuosity dripping with passion & emotion. Dictionary 3 is the latest MoonJune Records release from Indonesian trio Ligro, and guitarist Hamzah is joined by drummer Gusti Hendy and bassist Adi Darmawan, with special guest Ade Irawan tossing in some splendid piano on that stellar opening track.
With only 5 songs on Dictionary 3, you can expect plenty of extended arrangements allowing for lots of soloing and interplay. "Pentagonal Krisis" is a 15-minute slow builder, as sparse rhythmic patterns eventually sees Hamzah burst through with some wild excursions into the heavens. Let's face it, this guy can wail with the best of them. Imagine John McLaughlin mixed with some Robert Fripp and Terje Rypdal and you have an idea of what to expect from this fiery player. The last half of this song is filled with some serious guitar soloing that is not for the faint of heart! "Tragic Hero" blends jazz with metallic rock (close to metal actually), with Hendy & Darmawan really throwing in some acrobatic rhythms over which Hamzah can lay down his molten shards of guitar noise. You might think that "The 20th Century Collaseu" is going to allow the band to take a breather, but think again, as one-third of the way in Hendy's drums start to rumble and Hamzah again unleashes a torrent of ferocious guitar solos that will melt your speakers. The moment of respite finally comes on "Lonely Planet", a tranquil slice of melodic jazz that features some lovely interplay between the three musicians, including some tasty picking from the leader. Well, tranquil till a certain point, but I'll let you experience that yourself.
For the most part, Dictionary 3 is savage, no holds barred, full throttle jazz-fusion with a metallic edge featuring some of the most lethal guitar solos you are likely to hear this year. What's so great about this band is their ability to toss in atmospheric jazzy passages that surround the bombast and get you thinking one way, then they bash you over the head and leave your jaw dragging on the floor. This is incredible stuff, but be warned, you might never be the same again after experiencing it.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. Bluker (14:46)
2. Pentagonal Krisis (15:11)
3. Tragic Hero (13:50)
4. The 20th Century Collaseu (11:40)
5. Lonely Planet (8:20)
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