::T R A C K S::

1. SOLID GROUND
2. ONE HEAVY NIGHT
3. SOUL ON FIRE (sample clip)
4. VIXEN EYES (sample clip)
5. MISSION (sample clip)
6. TRAMPLED ROSE (sample clip)
7. SILENT RIDER (sample clip)
8. I'M JUICY (sample clip)
9. FUNKY CHICKEN
10. MARCHING STRUT
11. (((HIDDEN BONUS TRACK)))
* CRYSTAL MOUNTAINS *

The Gugun Power trio blasts through the consciousness with powerful funky blues-rock. They are so good at what they do that they evoke a sort of timeless musicality. And yet, in spite of that, they take you back in time -- to the late 60s, early 70s -- when music was MUSIC and guitarists blew your head off with originality and good taste. Gugun himself is clearly indebted to Hendrix, but he takes it further, incorporating licks from the speed-demon guitarists of modernity, including Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani. He has to be heard to be believed! For their latest album, "Solid Ground," the band chose material just suited to their respective talents, but make no mistake: this is Gugun's show, and his fluid and virtuoso guitar playing just gets better and better with each track. This is one gifted dude, highlighted on one special CD. Steve Rosen (Author) (11.11)

I just loved the first Grooveyard release by Indonesian Gugun Power Trio, "Power Trio" certainly being the label of the day here. Gugun is a killer guitarist and an awesome bluesy singer, which he and his fellows, drummer Bowie and bass player Jono, immediately prove in the opening title track. Groovy, bluesy, rockin' and something it's totally impossible not to play air guitar to. Holy crap, this rocks!! It's got the classic riff-oriented Hendrixy vibe to it that I love. The album grooves, it sways and it swaggers. It's a versatile album within the limits of blues rock. There's the funky vibe in tracks like One Heavy Night and Vixen Eyes, the shuffle groove in Mission, the cool blues in Trampled Rose, the up-tempo strut in Silent Rider, yes, Solid Ground has it all. What I also love is that Gugun adapts his sound to fit the songs. It's not just one album-one sound. He turns the distortion up when it's required, adds some wah when it fits and keeps it quite clean when the song needs it. This is definitely one of my favourite blues rock albums of the year! Janne Stark (Stark Music Reviews) (11.11)

Indonesia is probably not the first place you'd think of when the question "Where does one of the finest guitarists on the planet call home?" is asked, but in this case, that would be the correct answer. From an island nation on the other side of the International Date Line comes one of the most exciting new guitarists to explode on the scene since a certain James Marshall Hendrix did the same over 40 years ago. Gugun Power Trio is a classic, stripped down, no-holds-barred three piece outfit who put some real "pow" in the phrase "power trio". Projecting a true "old school" approach and "modern retro" delivery, they collectively create a heady sonic stew with heaping helpings of off-the-charts chops, heaviness, groovaciousness, wild Hendrixian stratifications from east of Neptune and greasy grooves chock full of voodoo mojo, psychedelic shimmer and crystalline clarity. I could do a track-by-track blow by blow, but this is one of the few bands I've heard where a subjective analysis could unintentionally color the objective listening experience. This is a set best experienced on your own. Needless to say, every single track is captivating, adventurous and memorable. At the helm is Gugun, swinging and jabbing like an axe-wielding heavyweight boxer, landing sonic knockout blows left and right. Backed ably by an equally explosive rhythm section, they combine their formidable and well-honed skills like perfectly synchronized jackhammers. Together, their musical synergy and pummeling riffage hit you three ways: hard, fast and continuous. The analogy of a prize fighter is particularly apropos here, as these guys are fighting for the right to create and play their music every moment of every day. They have to. They hail from a region of the world better known for endless political strife, oppression and poverty. I'm not rationalizing here.. that's just the way it is. Their music is steeped in that reality with a dedication, immediacy and urgency that is palpable.. and sorely lacking in the recorded product of most of their better-known contemporaries. Gugun Power Trio is a product of their environment and they're tough, resourceful and resilient. They have to be.. to live, to survive.. and their music resonates that. Solid Ground is a watershed moment in heavy guitar beauty from the most unlikely of places, full of raw emotion and fiery honesty, incorporating bobbing twists and weaving turns, with every aspect of the listening experience infused with fire and brimstone. Impressive, groundbreaking and, dare I say: A MODERN CLASSIC. Once you've had a chance to hear this molten collection of amazing music from this most unlikely of locales, you will accept that statement as fact. Jimmy Ryan (Truth Squad) (11.11)