Dewa Budjana: Surya Namaskar
Author: Andy Robson
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Mang Ayi (v) |
Label: |
MoonJune Records |
Magazine Review Date: |
June/2014 |
Catalogue Number: |
MJR 063 |
RecordDate: |
27 January 2013, 25 October 2013 |
Budjana is by all accounts a pop hero in his native Indonesia. But having just turned 50 life's starting all over for him as a jazz-rock guitar hero of mighty proportions. This is his third outing in four years for MoonJune and it's his most free and expressive yet. It kicks off with the epically themed ‘50’, which features a coruscating break from Husband. About the only criticism of the album is that is all we hear from Husband: the rest of the album essentially focuses on Budjana in a power trio context. He doesn't obviously trade off his Balinese background, although the closing ‘Dalem Waturenggong’ ripples delightfully with a long riff that echoes a trunajaya (dance of the young men). There is a lovely sense of reciprocity because McLaughlin, who lapped up all those long eastern runs, has had a huge influence on Budjana: but there's a fluency and joy in those cascades of notes that not even Johnny Mac manages. The colours from the violin and harp bring a welcome contrast while Colaiuta and Johnson are obviously energised too. Sun-kissed and rocking, what more do you want?

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