Dewa Budjana & Czech Symphony Orchestra - 2025 - Praguenayama

(29:32; Moonjune Records [2026 Edition] )






















I have long been a fan of “the Little Master”, who is renowned for being co-founder of popular Indonesian group Gigi who have now been in existence for more than 30 years, as well as having a solo career which commenced in the Nineties. However, it was his discovery by Leonardo Pavkovic and the consequent signing to Moonjune for his fifth solo album, ‘Dawai In Paradise’, that has led to a more international recognition of his talents. This 30-minute-long five-track album/EP finds him in a position far removed from his normal styles as here he is performing with the Czech Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michaela Růžičkova.

Two of the pieces were composed especially for this project while the others are reworkings of previously recorded tunes which have now been expanded and given a very different style indeed. The result is a breathtaking combination of classical and rock, always intently musical and melodic with Dewa switching between classical and acoustic guitars. There are times when he is somewhat reminiscent of Uli Jon Roth, but ‘Metamorphosis’ felt like a guitar being substituted for violin and then played at breakneck speed, whereas here it feels like an integral member of the orchestra, just as the lead instrument as opposed to something which does not inherently belong there.

This is a very special release indeed, with wonderful sound quality, and apparently the orchestration was recorded in less than a day with few overdubs or retakes, and the addition of Indonesian percussion on a few numbers also feels as if they totally belong. It is often reflective and shows a very different side of a very skilled guitarist who has been likened to McLaughlin in the past, and surely that comparison will continue thanks to this superb release. I do hope this isn’t a one-off and we get another (and longer) release in a similar vein at some point in the future. 

Kev Rowland, July 2026

Links:
https://dewabudjana.com/
https://moonjune.com/

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