ARSENAL

The Arsenal Jazz Rock Ensemble was an idea of famous Russian sax player Alexey Kozlov.The band started in 1973 in Moscow and soon became very popular in the jazz community,despite they were permitted to perform legal concerts not before 1976.Their eponymous debut was recorded in 1977 in Riga,but not released before 1979 by Melodyia label.

Arsenal weren't just another Jazz Rock band,they incorporated many progressive elements in their compositions and were certainly a daring act.Four tracks and more than forty minutes of good proggy jazz music guarantee a pleasant listening.The opener ''Опасная игра'' is a weird trippy mix of Jazz,Horn Rock and GONG-like free soloing with also some Classical references and good organ.The tremendous follower ''Дерево'' is halfway a CAMEL/GENTLE GIANT blend of melody with supporting dynamic interplays before the symphonic trombones start to battle with Kozlov's sax solos.''Сюита ля бемоль мажор'' is another good track,piano-driven energetic Jazz before Kozlov's sax introduction leads to the classical-inspired vocal-led rest of the song wityh lots of trombones and a steady rhythm section.''Башня из слоновой кости'' has an intense FOCUS-like atmosphere,a nice mix of Jazz and Classical music surrounded by a massive wind instrument attack and with guitarist Vitali Rozenberg performing in the style of Jan Akermann.

Notice that the production is very good and this makes ''Arsenal'' even more attractive as a listening.This is one of the good examples of ex-Soviet proggy Jazz Rock with evident Classical tendencies and deserves some more fame for sure...3.5 stars.

"A Dangerous Game", the leadoff track from Arsenal's 1979 debut, would not sound out of place as an outtake on an Al Kooper-led Blood Sweat and Tears album. In fact, the Blood Sweat and Tears-Chicago-Chase-James William Guercio effect pervades the album. For fans, that's a great thing. "Suite in F Flat Major" and "An Ivory Tower" are long, extended horn led forays into jazzrock that are truly exciting listens. "An Ivory Tower" is a dynamic highlight. The funky keyboard textures that begin the song give way to moody, desolate sections before exploding at the conclusion.

In all, a worthy addition to the jazzrock-fusion canon - the fact they are Russian is an interesting side note.