Park Drive

The trend has become increasingly popular up to this day’s jazz orientation in Indonesia. It looks like nu jazz is the one that takes form, like what Parkdrive adheres to. The band, alongside many others, celebrates the contemporary depiction of the outgoing country’s jazz phenomenon. Mentioning Park Drive, the first thing that comes across my mind is that it exemplifies greatly the mild sense of nu jazz. The instances are quite clear. The composition does not go far from deliberate movement, meaning there is not any surprising element either the chord or rhythm. Even in some parts I find a difficulty in determining the music style, whether it is the contemporary art form I usually call “nu”, or is it a smooth jazz. Their musical preference is very straightforward, easy going, and tends to avoid daring improvisation, although they retain varied technique in every performance. 

The exceptional track that associates itself vigorously with the album is Sekedar Cinta, taking the first queue. It is an anchor to Park Drive’s self titled album. Hence I am certain that they have set the right foot for choosing the song as the avant garde tune. It is a rhythm based song, with a laying emphasis on the chorus. I can’t give in a better critic for this song except suggesting you to see it for yourself. It is Park Drive’s common perception. Another highlighted part in this album would be Hasrat Jiwa. It has dense, upbeat melodic elements. And more to it, there is a capturing improvised line in the middle turning point that shows what an improvisation should have been in Park Drive’s Eyes. Next, Kau Tau encapsulates a dance floor theme, while it gets even groovier with funk style electric guitar accompaniment. If there is one song that could be an uplift in the middle part of the album, that has got to be Parkdrive. It delivers quite a rhythmic intensity listening moment, for it has an irregular beat pattern, yet bound in general tone line. In other words, the song sounds too melodious, but at the same time unfolds syncopated harmony. As a melodic embellishment, short improvised acoustic lines on the back layer could be well applicable. 

Posing a differing sight, the next song, Sinari Hati reveals bass oriented punch lines, which is instantly exhibited right in the prologue of the song. The rhythm is generally a bit frantic. A few fascinating scat lines are added in the chorus, resulting a vibrant song effect. But still, the style they bring up remains totally the same. Siapa Dia echoes the idea of putting an irregular rhythm, but only undergoes a slight difference in the place that takes focus, which is in the short repetitive chorus. The harmonic structure also goes through different path, as listeners realize the swift change chord progression between verses and chorus bars. Mengenang Cinta serves as the cool part in nu jazz. The song accent is very mild, and the lyric speaks the same language. As a final word, Park Drive confirms a great deal in consistently bringing a well exposed music orientation from the start till the end, and that would be enough to gather respect from audience. To be loved and worshipped by fans, just think of it as an additional bonus later.