Record Reviews

JERZY MILIAN ~ NEUROIMPRESSIONS GAD 050 (Barcode: 5901549197655) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 - 1973 Released: 2016 This is the sixth installment of the archival series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents the work of Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. This chapter is dedicated to Milian´s recordings from the early 1970s, done with small ensembles in Hungary and East Germany (DDR), captured during three separate sessions, each producing three tracks. All nine tracks are original compositions by Milian. The Hungarian session was recorded with a quartet led by trumpeter Rudolf TomsitsFind albums by this artist with included also pianist Gyorgy VukanFind albums by this artist, bassist Balazs BerkesFind albums by this artist and drummer Vilmos JavoriFind albums by this artist. Both East German sessions find Milian accompanied by the legendary saxophonist Ernst-Ludwig PetrowskyFind albums by this artist, bassist Klaus KochFind albums by this artist and drummer Willibald WinklerFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Heinz BeckerFind albums by this artist participated on just one of these sessions. The music is by far the most Avant-Garde of all Milian´s compositions presented on this series, and although obviously composed, it sounds like spontaneously Improvised Music most of the time. Both the Hungarian and the East German musicians were at the time representatives of the East European Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene, and their bold and adventurous attitude put them on the same level as their counterparts from across the Iron Wall. Petrowsky´s saxophone work does not differ much from what Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist played at the time in the UK or Willem BreukerFind albums by this artist played in Netherlands and so on. From the historical perspective this album presents one more layer of Milian´s diversity and versatility, which is certainly much less known than his Big Band activity, which made him popular among listeners of less complex music. There is no doubt that Milian was able to take advantage of the opportunities the Eastern Block had to offer, in order to create some of the most audacious music made at the time anywhere on the planet. As usual the original recordings are excellently remastered and the booklet offer informative bi-lingual background information about the music and the time it was created at. It is yet another must for all East European Jazz fans and collectors!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 15/01/2017

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend