Dedicated to “progressive music exploring the boundaries of jazz, rock, avant-garde & the unknown, MoonJune Records has release two new albums that make fusion a good word again.
You probably haven’t ever heard of Indonesian guitarist Dewa Budjana, so it’s a good idea he got together a pair of big names like Jimmy Johnson/b and Vinnie Colaiuta/dr on this collection of intricate and hard hitting originals. In your face “Fifty” includes exuberant keyboard work from guest Gary Husband, while Michael Landau adds a riveting solo to “Surya Namaskar.” Budjana mixes chops with deft taste on “Campuhan Hill” and “Lamboya,” while the addition of Kang Pupung’s Sundanes violin on “Kalingga” creates a fiercely exotic flavor. The energy bounces off the walls on this one. A definite pick for axe heads!
Catalan drummer Xavi Reija teams up with Bernat Hernandez/b and Dusan Jevtovic/g for a power trio that changes moods from an ambient/Eno-ish “Abyss” to a Weather Reportish funk on “Macroscope” and Dreamer.” Other pieces such as “John’s Song” and “Shadow Dance” start deceptively simple in the jazz vein, but take you on unexpected turns like a roller coaster ride, making you lean from side to side until the G Forces turn your head back. Wild sounds come at you in all directions on the free spirited “Unfinished Love,” while moody pieces such as the title track get you in a ruminating zone. Creative!
Moon June Records