MATA HATI

Here's some ethno-coloured instrumental fusion from Indonesia. The composer and guitarist Tohpati has formerly played in a prog fusion group SimakDialog -- not that I'd known them either in advance. The opening track 'Janger' features Czech Symphony Orchestra, which gorgeously finishes its pomposity. As a whole the album keeps rushing ahead with excellent electric guitar playing and complex rhythmic structures. The tight, superbly produced sound is enrichened by suling flute and tarompet (= Indonesian clarinet). The ethnic elements are, most of all, an ingredient without becoming very central in the compositions per se. For example PIIRPAUKE from Finland made much more world music oriented ethno-fusion in the 70's. Basically this quintet continues the Western tradition of virtuotic, guitar dominated jazz rock in the vein of FRANK ZAPPA and MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA. And they really rock! A bit too much for my taste, actually.

One can only imagine the powerful impression this group would make on stage, when already listening to the album is such an energetic experience. Indeed there are no weak tracks on this 51-minute album, but perhaps a couple of slower and more peaceful compositions amidst all the panache would have done good for the dynamics. Now those calmer moments have been narrowed into tiny doses such as in the beginning of 'Pangkur'. So, my firm recommendation goes especially for the friends of fiery fusion with a taste for ethnic elements too.

Tohpati Ario Hutomo (a.k.a. Bontot) is probably best known for his twenty-year tenure in the incredible simakDialog, but he launched his project Ethnomission back in 2010 with 'Save The Planet', and at long last he has brought the band back for a second venture. He of course provides all the guitars, and is joined by Demas Narawangsa (drums), Indro Hardjodikoro (bass), Endang Ramdan /(kendang ? a type of two-headed drum used particularly in Gamelan ensembles) and Diki Suwarjiki (suling ? a bamboo ring flute, also used in Gamelan ensembles). If that wasn't enough, they are all joined on the opening track by the Czech Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michaela Ruzickova, which certainly adds a different feel to the overall piece.

With the instrumentation being used, it would be easy to imagine that this is a hard to listen to (to Western ears) romp through traditional Indonesian music, but that is a long way from reality. Tohpati is a guitarist with an incredibly clear sound, and while he is often at the core of what is taking place, he knows just when it is time to step to one side and let others take over. Indro is a revelation, with some stunning bass lines, and one can imagine Tohpati there with a huge smile on his face as he lets his bandmate take centre stage. There is a lot of Indonesian musical references and styles, of course, but this is fusion at its very truest, fusing not only jazz and melody but also Asia and the West in a way that is seamless, marvellous, and entrancing. There is only one thing to be done with an album as good as this. When you shake yourself back into the real world after the fifty-two minutes have flown by, have a good stretch, settle back, and put it on again.

Review originally posted at www.therocktologist.com

Oh, what a wonderful album!

Tohpati is one of those Indonesian guitar-Gods I've recently discovered thanks to Leonardo Pavkovic from Moonjune Records, and I will always be grateful for it, because the quality and sensibility of this guitar player is amazing, his music has made me fell completely satisfied and happy to be alive. This is the second band of his band in which he is the leader, but whose other members are the perfect complement that one man need. Tohpati Ethnomissión's Matah Hati is a wonderful jazz-fusion journey that any fan from this genre and some other genres such as progressive rock or folk could love.

It starts with "Janger" and since the first notes we can notice a delicious sound made by percussion and an evident Indonesian flavour. Let me tell you that this is an instrumental album, so please, be prepared to start a wonderful journey. The song is superb, with some slow passages and some explosive moments. The guitar is amazing but I love what the other musicians do, especially the man on percussion and those flute moments. Sweet! "Tanah Emas" shows the evident talent of the bass player, either with solos or as background. This tune is pretty jazzy with some western feelings, this time.

"Pelog Rock" is an amazing, vertiginous, powerful rock/jazz/fusion/prog track, it is an big proof of how those genres can live together without being forced. The song flow perfectly in spite of its different time changes, all the instruments have their shot, but of course, as one can imagine, Tohpati's powerful solos shine. A truly amazing track! With "Mata Hati" we can take a deep breath after that previous bomb-track. Here the sound is much more relaxed and even introspective, so if you wish, let the music talk and take you to calm places.

Another contrast. After that calm track, the faster sounds, the rock and jazz-fusion that make us move our heads and body return in "Berburu", a solid and delicious composition that also bring (as most of the album) some cultural references from that rich Indonesian realm. Worth mentioning the musicianship is impressive! "Rancak" has a joyful feeling that will surely put a smile on you. The 6 minutes are full of folkish tunes made by flute and acoustic guitar, which at the same time create a jazzy scheme. "Reog" is, for some strange reason, the song I less feel connected with. Maybe it is the most experimental track of the song, and it is a great one, believe me, though I could not fall in love with it. There is a very cool drums solo, though.

"Pangkur" has a one-minute soft introduction and then the song changes and becomes more aggressive. Again, a feast of fusion can be found here, amazing strings, drums and wonderful winds gathered together in order to give us a cool musical experience. The album finishes with "Amarah" which is an amazing track that has a percussion introduction that leads to an explosion of heavy guitar riffs wonderfully accompanied by a soft flute. The band chose a pretty cool heavy tune to finish the album and let us mesmerized by this fast and addictive sound.

Friends, go and listen to his record, you will not regret. Enjoy it!

Tohpati Ethnomission is one of the solo projects of Indonesian guitarist Tohpati, otherwise known as the guitarist in Indonesian band Simak Dialog as well as having a solo career that dates back to the late 1990's. This particular project first appeared back in 2010. "Mata Hati" is the second album from this band, and was released through US label Moonjune Records in 2016.

Those with a taste for instrumental jazzrock of a spirited and energetic nature will find a lot to enjoy on this second album by Tohpati Ethnomission, and then in particular those who enjoy world music elements to be included in such landscapes. If you tend to enjoy music that by and large is uplifting as well, and tends to shy away from being overly expressive and difficult, this is a CD that warrants an inspection.