For those of you who haven't forgotten Tohpati's
electrifying emergence as a freshman bandleader in 2010 – catapulting onto the
global stage with the critically acclaimed initial offering of Tohpati
Ethnomission, "Save The Planet" – "Mata Hati" will come as
a most welcomed follow-up.
Although six years is a lengthy gap between recordings, it
is obvious that the players involved have been doing anything but resting. On
the contrary, the proceedings are highlighted by a vibrant, cohesive group
dynamic where powerful individual performances are subtlety interwoven into the
exotic fabrics of its nine acute, ambitious and amazingly diverse musical
tapestries. The power and authority of its improvisational content doesn't
steal the show, but works as a perfect compliment to the ingenious underlying
framework; this is truly a group effort, and a most potent delivery.
Featuring all the six-string acrobatics one would expect
from a guitarist of Tohpati's considerable scope and creative brilliance,
equally on display here is his mastery of western harmony and his uncanny
melodic sense as both a player and a composer. Tohpati Ethnomission rocks with
authority; they slither through the grass, unnoticed; they provide enticing
glimpses of a rich, mystical music culture, begging to be further revealed ...
and they dance on air.
Besides being one of Indonesia’s most well known and
celebrated guitarists, Tohpati is also one of its busiest session men. In a
career which has seen him work as both a band leader and support player for
many of his country's most celebrated popular pop, rock and jazz artists – in
addition to seven albums with simakDialog (spanning more than 20 years), and
three previous marquee projects for MoonJune -- his chameleon-like ability to
tailor his playing to suit a variety of diverse styles has always served him
well. But on this particular outing, he reveals even further depths of both his
dexterity and his creative genius.
This potent, engaging set features masterful work by:
veteran Indo Hardjodikoro, on bass guitar; Diki Suwarjiki, on suling bamboo
flute and tarompet (Indonesian clarinet); and is propelled by the flowing
rhythmic combination of Endang Ramdan, on kendang percussion, and; Demas
Narawangsa, on drums. (The opening tune, "Janger," also features the
Czech Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michaela Ruzickova.)
This is music which transcends boundaries, genre and
expectations, capturing some of Tohpati's finest, most profound musical
statements to date – this is one you certainly won't want to miss!
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