GANELIN / CHEKASIN / TARASOV ‎– Semplice (Me ‎– С60 21121 009 / LP-1984)

Label: Мелодия ‎– С60 21121 009

(white labels)

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: USSR / Released: 1984

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Vilnius Recording Studio. Recorded of 1983.

Artwork [Painter] – E. Cukermanas

Engineer, Mixed By – E. Motiejūnas

Directed By – Vyacheslav Ganelin

Supervised By [Editor] – R. Zalnieriute

Matrix / Runout: С60-21121/2-1

Matrix / Runout: С60-21122/2-1

A - Semplice (Part 1) ............................................................................................ 20:38

B - Semplice (Part 2) ............................................................................................ 20:00

Personnel:

VYACHESLAV GANELIN – keyboards, piano [acoustic], keyboards [basset, casio-tone], horn  [hunting horn], percussion

VLADIMIR CHEKASIN – alto saxophone, trombone, flute [end-blown], percussion

VLADIMIR TARASOV – drums [sonor], percussion

Unlike many free jazz groups, Ganelin Trio is one that knows how to use space and dynamics, creating a sometimes incredible sense of drama.

As may be expected, "Semplice" is a huge, sprawling tapestry, full of rich and shifting textures. It begins like a piece of South Asian classical music, built up from absolute silence at first with the tenderest whispers of percussion, which gradually grow to crescendos, diminish again, and build back up.

Here, the Trio is a mini-orchestra as they employ ethnic percussion instruments, a vast array of woodwinds, horns and Casio electronic keyboards.

"Semplice" is evolving into various movements via a climactic and budding flow - offering disparate themes and tonalities aided by an abundance of meaningful dialogue. The Trio alternate instruments as if this were a Broadway play where three actors double up and multitask roles or more appropriately, a loosely based theatrical troupe. It doesn’t end there. This composition progresses into a series of structured motifs, as the band begin to develop rich melodies featuring memorable hooks and at various junctures elicit memories of the 80’s European Prog-Rock movement. “Semplice” is a brilliant piece of work as this Trio seemingly start with nothing yet gravitate towards complex, innovative ideas while pulling it all together in surprising fashion.

Ganelin's piano playing is colossal, and the dramatic power of his impassioned duetting with the smallest strains of sound (from the Casio) is astounding. When Chekasin's saxophones finally appear, they add a swashbuckling and unpredictable piquancy to this piece which is full of modern classical, modern jazz, and ancient references, but is unto itself a masterpiece.

Simply put “Semplice” is a remarkable recording and if you seldom had the opportunity to hear this legendary band......now is the time! Highly Recommended!

(Review By Glenn Astarita, AAJ)

If you find it, buy this album!