LITHUANIA AND ESTONIA LIVE (FEATURING OTOMO YOSHIHIDE)

First live recording (and second at all) of one of Japanese cornerstone avant prog band was recorded during their Baltics tour. Two first compositions are recorded on Estonian radio (and you can feel some chamber atmosphere of these recordings), six next - on annual Tallinn Jazz Fest. Two last compositions are recorded in annual Vilnius Jazz Fest in my hometown (unhappily I missed the show).

First of all I must to say, that Baltics jazz scene is very open for years, and it gives the possibility to see such "non-jazz" bands on our Jazz Fests regularly. Not too many Jazz events around globe are so open for experimental avant prog!

Music there is full improvs,played by power trio in Japanese avant prog traditions- noisy, loud, very complex and sometimes dark. Fourth member of all concerts are well-known Japanese avant guitarist Otomo Yoshihide. Sound you can hear is free jazz by it's origin, but played by non-jazzy heavy avant rock trio. Scratching guitars, plenty of different noises, excellent musicianship level.

Live recordings have possibly not such a great sound quality on this album, but presents excellent atmosphere. Musicians are all in top form, and improvs are played so good that they often sound as pre-written compositions. I didn't hear all AS albums, but from what I listened, this one is one of their great one!

For sure, it is free form complex rock-rooted experimental avant music. So - don't expect easy or accessible listening! And - Kazuhisha Uchihashi is one of the most capable modern electric guitarist I believe!