One of the biggest jazz-related surprises of 2007, and not simply because it is Indonesian jazz, Patahan is truly something to get excited about for the twist it puts on the Pat Metheny side of jazz things. Keyboardist Riza Arshad and guitarist Tohpati Ario Hutomo really have the Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays chemistry down to a science, with feeling and virtuosity to boot. And Adhitya Pratama's basslines are delightfully sinuous and groovy. However, what sets simakDialog apart is the presence of percussionist Endang Ramdan playing traditional Indonesian instruments and the group's seamless integration of traditional classical Indonesian forms to its brand of quiet fusion jazz. The result, as heard on Patahan, is enthralling, with enough familiarity to attract jazz aficionados and enough originality to set the band's music apart from true Metheny copycats. On this 2005 live recording, the core quartet is augmented to quintet size, thanks to guest percussionist Emy Tata, and sextet size on two tracks featuring singer Nyak Ina Raseuki "Ubiet." These two tracks have the strongest local flavor, but the consistent presence of hand drums -- and the total lack of a jazz drum set -- ensures that the music always has that "different" feel, even when there are no vocals involved. Whether you prefer Hutomo's soaring electric solos in "One Has to Be" and "Kain Sigli," Arshad's thundering piano chords in "Spur of the Moment" (not to downplay his awe-inspiring handling of the Fender Rhodes), or the ethnic percussion component, you are bound to be impressed by Patahan. Highly recommended.
© François Couture /TiVo