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GANELIN / KRUGLOV / YUDANOV - Access Point
Losen: LOS258-2
Slava Ganelin: piano, keyboards, live electronics, percussion; Alexy Kruglov: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, recorder; Oleg Yudanov: drums, percussion
Recorded live November 13th 2017 by Maxim Khaikin at Dom, Moscow.
One of the most exciting free-jazz releases of the past decade was ‘Us’, released by this trio, on Leo, in 2016 [https://www.jazzviews.net/slav-ganelin--alexey-kruglov--oleg-yudanov---us.html]. This set is easily as good and a must listen for anyone with even a passing interest in free jazz. Of course, all three musicians here are integral to the development of free jazz, particularly in Russia. You’ll know the work of the Ganelin Trio (with Ganelin, Tarasov and Chekasin) as pioneers of an exciting and eclectic mix of traditional folk and off-the-wall jazz. Yudanov spent many years with Vladimir Rezitsky in Jazz Group Arkhangelsk. Kruglov, as well as many of his own projects, has played with Ganelin and Tarasov from the Ganelin Trio, as well as Yudanov (on, for example, ‘Impulse’, 2012). So, you have in this one session the cream of Russian free jazz. And they don’t disappoint. The set is divided into ‘Access Point’ parts 1 to 5.
Beginning with a contemplative piano figure, that has an almost classical feel to it, ‘Access Point 1’ bounces quickly into a bubbling groove, with keyboard bass line running alongside piano in a feat of masterful two-handedness. Yudanov’s fiery drumming pierces the developing piece, like artillery fire. Across this Kruglov’s alto saxophone shimmies and shakes, leading into Ganelin’s piano solo (still the bass line rumbles on behind this – making me imagine that this was either pre-recorded or there is another person on the stage with them…). Around 2/3 of the way through, Kruglov switches to soprano, circular breathing frenziedly for several bars before slowing to chirp over Ganelin’s rumbling piano. ‘Access Point part 2’ begins with keyboards and electronics creating sounds resembling arco bass lines for the sax to introduce lyrical lines - not unlike ‘Lark Ascending’ in the pastoral mood that is evoked – before the piece shifts in tone to something reminiscent of Stravinsky. ‘Access Point, part 3’ opens with a sort of bluesy piano that saunters behind a burbling bass line and brushed drums, before the sax bursts its way in. ‘Access Point, part 4’ unleashes the arsenal of electronica at Ganelin’s disposal, with Kruglov piercing this with his recorder lines. As the final cascades of ‘Access Point, part 5’ – all swirling sax, pummelling drums and pummelled piano – fade, the applause of the audience comes up in the mix to break the spell that the trio have woven. Each piece has its own personality and it is easy to forgot that this is a trio absorbed in improvisation, freely creating the structures in which they explore melodies, rhythms, (dis)harmonies and philosophies. That they create such coherent and complex music is inspiring and this is a hugely rewarding recording that will feature in my top 10 records of this year.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Losen: LOS258-2
Slava Ganelin: piano, keyboards, live electronics, percussion; Alexy Kruglov: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, recorder; Oleg Yudanov: drums, percussion
Recorded live November 13th 2017 by Maxim Khaikin at Dom, Moscow.
One of the most exciting free-jazz releases of the past decade was ‘Us’, released by this trio, on Leo, in 2016 [https://www.jazzviews.net/slav-ganelin--alexey-kruglov--oleg-yudanov---us.html]. This set is easily as good and a must listen for anyone with even a passing interest in free jazz. Of course, all three musicians here are integral to the development of free jazz, particularly in Russia. You’ll know the work of the Ganelin Trio (with Ganelin, Tarasov and Chekasin) as pioneers of an exciting and eclectic mix of traditional folk and off-the-wall jazz. Yudanov spent many years with Vladimir Rezitsky in Jazz Group Arkhangelsk. Kruglov, as well as many of his own projects, has played with Ganelin and Tarasov from the Ganelin Trio, as well as Yudanov (on, for example, ‘Impulse’, 2012). So, you have in this one session the cream of Russian free jazz. And they don’t disappoint. The set is divided into ‘Access Point’ parts 1 to 5.
Beginning with a contemplative piano figure, that has an almost classical feel to it, ‘Access Point 1’ bounces quickly into a bubbling groove, with keyboard bass line running alongside piano in a feat of masterful two-handedness. Yudanov’s fiery drumming pierces the developing piece, like artillery fire. Across this Kruglov’s alto saxophone shimmies and shakes, leading into Ganelin’s piano solo (still the bass line rumbles on behind this – making me imagine that this was either pre-recorded or there is another person on the stage with them…). Around 2/3 of the way through, Kruglov switches to soprano, circular breathing frenziedly for several bars before slowing to chirp over Ganelin’s rumbling piano. ‘Access Point part 2’ begins with keyboards and electronics creating sounds resembling arco bass lines for the sax to introduce lyrical lines - not unlike ‘Lark Ascending’ in the pastoral mood that is evoked – before the piece shifts in tone to something reminiscent of Stravinsky. ‘Access Point, part 3’ opens with a sort of bluesy piano that saunters behind a burbling bass line and brushed drums, before the sax bursts its way in. ‘Access Point, part 4’ unleashes the arsenal of electronica at Ganelin’s disposal, with Kruglov piercing this with his recorder lines. As the final cascades of ‘Access Point, part 5’ – all swirling sax, pummelling drums and pummelled piano – fade, the applause of the audience comes up in the mix to break the spell that the trio have woven. Each piece has its own personality and it is easy to forgot that this is a trio absorbed in improvisation, freely creating the structures in which they explore melodies, rhythms, (dis)harmonies and philosophies. That they create such coherent and complex music is inspiring and this is a hugely rewarding recording that will feature in my top 10 records of this year.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
