Experimental Jazz, Fusion, Avant-prog

Artist: I KNOW YOU WELL MISS CLARA
Album: "Chapter One" (MJR057, 2013)

REZA RYAN: Guitar
ADI WIJAYA: Keyboards
ENRIKO GULTOM: Bass
ALFIAH AKBAR: Drums

Direct link for the MoonJune Records release:
http://www.moonjune.com/mjr_web_2013/catalog_mjr/057_I-KNOW-YOU-WELL-MISS-CLARA_Chapter-One_MJR057/

MoonJune Records continues to amaze and astonish the progressive world, as yet more musical treasures from Indonesia are unearthed and revealed, with the phenomenal debut of Yogyakarta's young progressive explorers, I Know You Well Miss Clara. Referencing a vast diversity of modern music's most visionary pioneers -- ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Soft Machine and Matching Mole, to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman (just to name a few) -- their music captures the energy and essence which characterized some of progressive jazz' and fusion's greatest and most defining artists, producing moments of sheer creative genius and uncompromising quality.
Chapter One is a profound, monumental release: an album boldly (and easily) surpassing most of the genre's recent efforts in terms of ambition and accomplishment. It's songs are full of intrigue, expressed in a vibrant, urgent manner that -- while paying homage to a host of stellar, profound influences -- never sacrifices sensitivity and reverence of the moment for the sake of showing off chops. (... and these cats have got some chops!) IKYWMC's music goes places where few have been fearless- or capable-enough to venture. Their influences are unmistakeable, yet the end result is completely and uniquely their own.

I Know You Well Miss Clara is fronted by the adventurous, imaginative stylings of guitarist Reza Ryan and the poetic, masterful artistry of the young keyboard prodigy, Adi Wijiya. Ryan's fretwork is as unpretentious as it is explosive and unpredictable; he plays with the passion and conviction of an early John McLaughlin or Phil Miller, but never flaunts his considerable capacity. Wijiya is every bit his equal on keyboards, demonstrating all of the poise, technique and vocabulary of a young Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul or Richie Beirach.

Their rhythm section (bassist Enriko Gultom and drummer Alfiah Akbar) keep proceedings on solid footing, while augmenting and decorating in equally-impressive fashion. This is a band with some serious skills, but also a decidedly adventurous, risk-taking persona.

With all four members still being relatively young and having less than three years of playing together under their belts, their music belies its circumstance -- with uncanny depths of corporate dynamics, sonic telepathy and advanced harmonic sensibilities, all clearly in evidence. This is progessive music of the absolute highest echelon, at its most far-reaching, sensitive and creative.

Notice is served: the next chapter in the unfolding evolution of progressive jazz fusion has been written with Chapter One! Dark and foreboding; mysterious, suspenseful and surprising: their creations are a breath of fresh air for a genre clamoring desperately for such sincerity and authenticity.

So it is with great pride and privilege that MJR presents the music of I Know You Well Miss Clara. This "immediately essential" initial offering will remind listeners of why they first fell in love with progressive music ... it just doesn't get any better or any more real than this. Like an exotic delicacy or a vintage wine, this is music to be savored: an unpretentious exploration into the very nature of music and musical expression. For connoisseurs and afficiandos, this a feast for your ears ... don't miss this landmark debut!

Reverie - I Know You Well Miss Clara (Sample) - Composed by Reza Ryan

Original song
Composed by Reza Ryan
All instruments played by Reza Ryan
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Reza Ryan

Reza Ryan - "The Hymn Is Addressed To Thee And Played With Skillful Hands"

This is a short guitar improvisation on my original composition called "Cencen".
Recorded by me at Reza Ryan Studio, Yogyakarta.
Mixed and Mastered by Alexander Haryanto at Hell Hammer Studio, Yogyakarta.

Reza Ryan - "Cencen Guitar Improvisation"

Me and Mingus Von Ende play and improvise my original composition called "Heroically Lost, Heroically Found", in Jogjakarta 2015.

Reza Ryan Feat Mingus Von Ende - "Herocially Lost Heroically Found"

My version of a classic standard jazz tune as a tribute to one of my guitar hero, Lenny Breau.
It's just me, with my signature guitar, Apoda Headless by Stephallen Guitars and a custom guitar amp by Trooper Electronics.

"Stella By Starlight" A Tribute To Lenny Breau

Jazz/Fusion/Prog/Avant-garde Musician, Composer, Educator.

Reza Ryan

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