DWIKI DHARMAWAN — So Far So Close (review)

DWIKI DHARMAWAN — So Far So Close album cover Album · 2015 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
There was a time in the late 70s when the worlds of jazz fusion and progressive rock edged closer to each other, much of the resultant music still carries a strong international fan base, and those fans now have reason to rejoice over Dwiki Dharmawan’s “So Far So Close”, an album that recalls the heyday of orchestrated fusion without sounding a bit nostalgic or dated. This is jazz/prog rock fusion for the new century with lots of fresh modern elements. Although this is Dharmawan’s first release for a large international label (MoonJune), it is quickly apparent from listening to these sophisticated arrangements, that Dharmawan is a veteran of the music business with over 30 years under his belt.

As mentioned earlier, this is orchestrated electro-acoustic fusion that will may recall classic albums by Return to Forever, Weather Report and Bill Bruford, but Dharmawan also adds his own subtle Indonesian influences, both melodically and harmonically. “So Far So Close” opens strong with the aggressive fusion energy of “Arafura”, this one, and the other up-tempo numbers are nice, but the main album highlights are the two beautifully orchestrated ballades, “Bruno” and “Whale Dance”. One other cut that stands out is the avant-garde leaning “Jembrana’s Fantasy”, a track that mixes Indonesian gamelan with free jazz. Its an interesting cut, but it may seem at odds with the other tracks on the album. It might be nice if Dwiki, on future albums, mixed some of these avant-garde and fusion elements together on some cuts, instead of isolating those elements to separate tracks.

The keyboard list on here will bring back some very fond memories for many, its great to see brand names like Fender Rhodes, Hammond, Mini Moog and Hohner Clavinet all together on an album again. Along with Dharmawan’s excellent keyboard work, “So Far So Close” also features the top notch rhythm section of Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman, as well as guest solo spots for Jerry Goodman, Dewa Budjana and Tohpati.
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