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Abstract Logix review of Studiojo Dojo (229) 2008-12-08 http://www.abstractlogix.com/reviews_view.php?idno=229

I’m a firm believer that we’re products of our environment. I find it fascinating how our surroundings can dictate so much in regards to our creative voice. The now is precious, who are we to run? The decision not to embrace the right now with honesty can be a debilitating conclusion for not only the artist(s) but for the beholder as well. I don’t know about you, but I want a win-win situation.

If honesty is the best policy, then Dojo’s third offering, Studiojo, is their best to date. By allowing life to mold the music, they’ve created the aforementioned win-win situation. The music presented in Studiojo is not just “look ma, no hand” music, these songs have life’s fingerprints all over them. Just as a lump of clay must stay on the potter’s wheel until the time is right, Dojo yields its voice to one greater until the time is right. The reward is great songwriting, soaring melodies and righteous virtuosity that are as wide open as the golden rolling plains of the Midwest.

The album starts with “One Key” which immediately jumps out towards you with its refreshing melody. Clocking in at a little over 2 ½ minutes “One Key” doesn’t wear out its welcome, but glides along gracefully begging you to make this song the lead-off in any road trip mix CD.

Within the first seconds of the next song “Dojo” the rich musical canvas the trio creates impresses! Tucked away nicely amid a beautiful line played by bassist Chris Handley is Brian Baggett’s acoustic guitar. A gorgeous balancing act that includes supple bass, acoustic guitar sprinklings, and a sax-like guitar lead. These elements shift the anthemic “Dojo” into delightful territory by way of a thunderous workout from drummer Luke Stone. The group does a marvelous job leading you on a thrill ride that’s both enigmatic and pleasantly urgent.

Establishing the theme by himself, Brian Baggett begins “New Years” with shimmering illumination, before Handley and Stone join in on the groove. With a clean but muscular tone Baggett hovers over the chord melody driving the song to make it a memorable one. Against a watery wave of distortion his guitar solo comes in with the perfect mix of taste and speed. The first part of the solo is for all you legato lovers out there while the second part shows Baggett’s precision picking.

Where “New Years” started with the guitar first, “Demented” begins with a haunting bass solo. The band displays stellar interplay by pushing the beginning of “Demented” with machine gun-like punctuation anchored by Stone. The listener is then swept away into an hypnotic groove highlighted by a thought provoking second solo by Handley. It’s beautiful solos like this and the following offered by Baggett that have my rewind reflex joyously working overtime.

Slowing things down a bit “Something She Said” is the type of song you want to live in. It’s comfortable and very conversational. Dojo took their time to establish the mood, without becoming too pedestrian. There’s just enough going on to keep the listener involved, without taking away from the song.

Dojo lays the groundwork for the adventurous “Muscle Shirt” with bassist Chris Handley performing an unaccompanied solo that has enough twists and turns to leave you dizzy. That’s just the beginning, because Luke Stone adds a pulsating dense layer of tribal beats that will work your neck muscles into a frenzy as you nod along. Baggett belies this sexy beast of a song with a snarling rockabilly guitar riff and ambient vestiges only to have an unexpected harmonized guitar line push things into a further dimension. The song ends with one more solo by Handley and one by Baggett. Both shred with equal aplomb making this song an adventure you’re glad you experienced.

The tour de force that is “Fusion Blue” is a groove that throws the gauntlet down. With a relentless theme, monstrous unison lines and challenging solos, Dojo sets the house ablaze. This song should come with a disclosure because it’s not for the faint at heart. All three members make the most of their solos. Starting with Chris Handley whose angular, fleet fingered solo makes anybody who listens to it a believer. Somewhere out there in the Holdsworthian land of legato and the speed of light stratosphere where the late great Shawn Lane once soared, Brian Baggett knocked on the door and was welcomed in. Playing as if there was no tomorrow, Baggett again shows us his mastery of legato and speed picking with an incendiary solo that’s nothing short of jaw-dropping. Just when you thought that was it, Luke Stone digs deep and unleashes an inspired solo. He moves in and out of time as if chasing something familiar but finding something new at every turn -- confronting the challenge handily and in the process being reborn again.

“The Ball” closes Studiojo with a great slice of songwriting. Aided by Ken Lovern’s lush organ, Dojo remains consistent with their delivery. Listening to a brief David Torn-like soundscape, you understand the important use of space in music. The sonic salutation isn’t long in time but the ethereal quality it possesses offers a subtle stroke of suspension that’s otherworldly. Dojo has an ability to keep you guessing, and that’s not a small feat. Because you’re forced to participate you can really take the song in and relish the picture perfect pastoral images. This is no ordinary jazz-fusion group. Close your eyes and you can see the countryside beckoning. From the down-home rhythmic sensibilities to the unpretentious musical motif, you can’t help but feel good while listening.

This phenomenal jazz-fusion trio from Lawrence, Kansas has grown with each release. With each listen you’ll discover a newness that comes from quality songwriting and exceptional musicianship. Dojo is not afraid to let life sit in the director’s seat and call the shots, which in turn gives us music for the mind, body and soul. Studiojo has something for everyone and will stand the test of time as a matchless work of art that’s moving in the right direction.

De'Von Pierre Jackson - Abstract Logix 12.8.08

Fusion on fire
With so many good jazz guitarists around the area, it’s a little surprising that we don’t hear much guitar-driven jazz fusion in our clubs and concert halls. The band Dojo from Lawrence is ready to fill the gap. Powered by guitarist Brian Baggett, bassist Chris Handley and drummer Luke Stone, it plays the hard-edged stuff inspired by Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius — with some Yes and King Crimson in the mix Dojo will play the next concert in the Jazz & Beyond series at 8 p.m. Saturday at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut St. Tickets cost $10. The concert is also a celebration of the release of its third CD, “Studiojo.” - Joe Klopus - Kansas City Star kansascity.com November 6, 2008

"In an unbroken line of fusion bands beginning with the head-turning Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early '70s comes the Kansas outfit Dojo with their studio disc, aptly titled 'Studiojo'. Guitarheads will certainly enjoy Brian Baggett's mercurial lines and tasty phrasing. Give it a listen." - Dan McAvinchey - Guitar 9 records guitar9.com October 29, 2008Z

Dojo's new album Studiojo offers listeners a diverse, progressive array of styles and sounds. With foot-tapping grooves and sometimes contemplative, sometimes rocking, guitar solos, the album perfectly captures the band's self-described style: Van Halen meets John Coltrane. Check out some of my favorite tracks like "Something She Said, "One Key," and "Dojo" and you'll get a real sense of this group's dynamic ability and fearless approach to playing the music they love. - Joel Burnett, Jazz in the Morning DJ - 90.7 KJHK, October 24, 2008

Brian Baggett, one of Kansas City’s finest of a younger generation of jazz guitarists, has a secret to share — his alter ego leading the stunning instrumental jazz/rock fusion trio DOJO. Owing as much to early progressive rock groups such as YES, King Crimson, and Genesis, as it does the classic 70’s fusion of Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin — DOJO releases their third CD entitled “Studiojo”, and is the next installment on the exciting Jazz & Beyond concert series at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. - Jazz Ambassador Magazine - Oct. 2008

“It was a true musical discovery the new Studiojo album and you deserve all the most sincere congratulations in the world for such an outstanding piece of true art!! Sensational musicianship...masterful technical skills and very inspired compositions!!! Sincerest congratulations...and I'll be more then delighted to play such a great album to the good music lovers here in Resita-Romania!!!” - Ovidiu Dumitrescu, For the Love of Guitar DJ– 105.6 Radio Resita, Romania October 18, 2008

DOJO has a unique way of staying away from the predictable. By focusing on the song's inherent platform for heavy exploration, DOJO doesn't rely on cliched riffs and soloing. - Abstractlogix.com

Brian Baggett gives you doses of Cream-Era Clapton intensity and then ups the ante by displaying lethal legato lines. - Abstractlogix.com

DOJO Since it’s inception in Lawrence, KS in 2004, DOJO has been steadily working their way to the surface by striving to produce technical music that has soul or meaning. DOJO is a special place for three gifted musicians to grow. In addition to a healthy diet of gigs, they have played several festivals including the 2006 and 2007 Wakarusa Music Festivals and BrewGrass Music and Brewery Festival. In 2006, the group performed in Favored Nations “Night of Pure Guitar” concert featuring Dave Weiner and Rob Balducci. DOJO has also held the opening slot for ALO. DOJO has three records out including “Live at the Jazzhaus” recorded at their favorite hometown venue. The band’s latest release Studiojo would be a great way to introduce the band to you.

Brian Baggett Brian is one of the “first call” jazz guitarists in Kansas City; he played well over one hundred gigs in 2007. He has worked with some of KC’s finest including Kerry Strayer, Bob Bowman, Todd Strait, Stan Kessler and OJT. He played on Bill McKemy’s release Om Nidrah which was Pitch Weekly’s Best Jazz Album of 2003. Brian has been a jazz guitar teacher since 1994 and a guest artist/clinician at several jazz festivals. He is the faculty guitar instructor for the University of Kansas Jazz Workshop since 2006. Brian has produced music for both television and videogames. In print, Brian has been featured in on Abstract Logix and JAM magazine’s cover story “Guitars Galore”. Brian recently studied with guitar master Reggie Wooten and he can currently be seen working in several groups including Ken Lovern’s O.J.T. and Alphabet.

Luke Stone Multi-instrumentalist and composer Luke Stone has been an active member of the Kansas City/Lawrence music scene for over 15 years. Luke has shared the stage with many prominent musicians, including Jazz Mandolin Project, Karl Denson, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, and others. Luke has three studio releases under his belt in which he did all of the playing and production. He is a very talented musician and a skillful drummer who honed his skills studying with Doug Auwarter (Danny Carey) and Jeff Sipe. In addition to playing drums on Studiojo and the first DOJO album Place of the Way, he also engineered and produced both albums. In 2006, Hummer licensed Luke’s song No Backbacks Allowed for use in a training DVD. Luke is currently the drummer and general all around guy for Cosmopolitics.

Chris Handley Chris landed on the scene as the bass player for Space Pocket in 1999. A very in-demand bassist, Chris has worked with several artists around Lawrence, KS from singer/songwriters to rappers. In 2007, Chris opened for BB King in Kansas City with the Brody Buster Blues Band. Chris can usually be seen playing with several area jazz musicians and at the Jazzhaus on Monday nights. In 2008 Chris enrolled at the Player’s School of Music to study with bass legend Jeff Berlin. For booking or more information on DOJO, visit www.dojoband.com

Below is a excerpt from DOJO on KJHK's Jazz in the Morning. It aired on 9.30.08. Brian Baggett talks about DOJO the new album Studiojo and more.