RHINOCEROSES AND OTHER FORMS OF LIFE

Debut Estonian band's Ne Zhdali album is very atmospheric minimalist recording. By it's sound it's very similar to classic Bill Frisell's Americana/fusion recordings. Leonid Soybelman is capable guitarist, and after some years he will become one of the best former-USSR avant prog guitarist, but there he is still too safe and only shows some blueprint of his later explosive guitar works.

Music is guitar based, and cold be tagged as " DIY guitar fusion played by avant musicians". Musicianship isn't complex, but more dissonant, with some unusual time signatures and sound jams. But all " avant" elements are added in small dose, it looks, that freaky musicians tried to record album for " normal" listener. As a result all album is quite accessible listening, but too simple for jazz fusion (and in fact has it roots in quite different music), and at the same time too "normal" for being avant records. Some first elements of klezmer and Russian modern urban folk are added; they will become more important on band's later recordings.

Interesting album for fans and researchers, not such attractive for casual listener. Still 3 in my scale.