Record Reviews

	PEKKA POHJOLA ~ FLIGHT OF THE ANGEL POHJOLA 04 ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock 9th album from 1986 on which Pekka comes back closest to Symphonic Prog since his 70`s albums. His regular quartet is supported here by a group of guest musicians and the resulting music is rich and powerful. This album is considered by many to be one the top Symphonic Prog albums of all times.
	CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HOWARD RILEY ~ FLIGHT FMR 026 (Barcode: 786497181124) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1995 British pianist / composer Howard RileyFind albums by this artist has been a pivotal figure of the modern British Jazz and later Improvised Music since the late 1960s. Completely unorthodox and original, his approach to music making is a complete innovative universe, in which he and some of his close collaborators created the next plane in the history of Jazz in particular and music in general. Although the European Avant-Garde exploded a few years later then the first wave of US Free Jazz pioneers like Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, Albert AylerFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, it developed in a new direction rather than copying or following the path initiated by the US giants. As radical as the US Free Jazz might have appeared at the time, it was after all deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition and in many respects developed as an extension of Bebop. The Europeans, most of them in their twenties when they initiated the European Free Improvisation school, had little, if any, experience playing Bebop and the new direction was developed spontaneously rather than consciously (or sub consciously). The social upheaval and general anti-establishment wave that swept Europe in the late 1960s might have served as a psychological background for these musical developments, as the quest for freedom of expression and rebellion against established musical forms was the central motif of the European Free Improvisation movement. Young European musicians in Britain, Germany, France, Netherlands and even behind the Iron Curtain (Poland, East Germany) decided to take a bold step towards exploration of a new musical universe, unbound by any preconceptions and limitations - harmonic, rhythmic or otherwise. The movement started in the late 1960s but only truly crystallized by the early 1970s, and this album is certainly one of the first focal point of European Free Improvisation. It was Riley’s fourth solo album following his daring debut DiscussionsFind albums with this title from 1967 and two trio albums recorded for CBSFind albums on this label (AngleFind albums with this title & The Day Will ComeFind albums with this title). Exceptionally gifted bassist Barry GuyFind albums by this artist, who was a member of Riley’s trio from the very beginning, took part in all the recordings, and would be his partner for many years to come. However, the decisive factor and the catalyst, which turned this recording into a momentous leap forward was the participation of one of Europe’s most inventive and original drummers – Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist. The resulting trio – Riley / Guy / Oxley – turned out to be an unstoppable musical hurricane of exploration and spontaneous invention beyond anything previously encountered. The album starts with a furious barrage of a 20 minutes long collective improvisation, which moves between trio, duo and solo performances of immense intensity and complexity. Some incredible sounds are extracted from the respective instruments, creating an incredible collage of sonic expressions. In complete contrast, the second part of the album is a complete anti-climax, with the trio performing some contemplative music, quiet and delicate and at times almost lyrical, as on the two ballads. Make no mistakes here – this is not a return to mainstream Jazz. These quiet pieces are as free and improvised as they come, but the fury of expression is subdued here and replaced by the balance between sound and silence, interplay and caressing the instruments. Overall this is a monster album, revolutionary, innovative and groundbreaking. Released originally on the legendary TurtleFind albums on this label label, this reissue finally brings this musical treasure back to life, for all the people who never had the opportunity to hear it at the time. Although Riley would prove to be very prolific and record many exceptional albums in the future, this one is especially dear to my heart, as it opened windows nobody previously knew existed. A musical Magnum Opus, beyond essential!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend