SLAMCD404 George Haslam, Oleksandr Nesterov, Vladimir Solyanik & Sergiy Khmeliov – Communications

Unique duo, trio and quartet improv recordings made in Ukraine, by baritone saxophonist George Haslam, who is joined by Ukrainian musicians guitarist Oleksandr Nesterov, pianist Volodomyr Solianick and drummer Sergiy Khmeliov.

George Haslam: baritone saxophone, tarogato
Oleksandr Nesterov: midi-guitar
Volodomyr Solianick: electric piano
Sergiy Khmeliov: drums, percussion

“Pure and beautiful improvised music recorded by the three-quarter Ukranian quartet. UK’s George Haslam plays a phat baritone alongside piano, drums and subtle midi-guitar. Space, frenzy and texture become more than the sum of their parts in expert hands.” – Billy Liar

“Many on the British music scene claim immunity from fashion, but certain styles remain taboo. Travelling to Ukraine, baritone saxophonist George Haslam found musicians with different priorities. Here, improvisation does not mean denying jazz; rock sonorities do not entail four-square beats or play-pen harmonies. What results would never be allowed here: Hawkwind meets Cecil Taylor! The atonalism is sardonic and lush, Haslam’s big baritone revelling in the careering potential of twistingly unfamiliar grooves. ‘Quartet’ has some deliciously wacky percussion interplay, while Volodymyr Solianick’s electro-piano delivers surprise after surprise; wispy, emotive effects British musicians would reject as kitsch here come across with fetching directness. Oleksandr Nesterov’s midi-guitar swirls and scurries; Sergey Khmeliov’s percussion delivers east-of-the-Urals metres. World-traveller Haslam unpacks exotica undreamt by virtual nomads.” – Hi-Fi News & Record Review

Recorded at Dynasty Records, Kiev, Ukraine, 10-11th June 1997.

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