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Eastern Balkan countries were never jazz heaven and decades of their Socialist history didn't help much there of course. This album is one of a very few recordings,coming from Romania or Bulgaria,and presenting highest class of jazz.
Lyubomir Denev is respectful Bulgarian classically trained musician and composer with many works in classical, contemporary music, but in jazz as well.Released in 1979, this album stayed almost a unique Bulgarian jazz fusion album for some decades to come.
If excellent (really -excellent!) Denev keyboards playing is seriously influenced by Bartok and European classical tradition, another great musician, collaborated on this recordings is reeds player Petko Tomanov, with his roots in Balkan folklore. As a result all 6 compositions on this album are kind of masterpieces,combining classical,folklore music and jazz fusion in one perfect mix.
Never after release of this album Denev returned to jazz fusion, spending his time between composing music to operas,festivals,musical professorship and some rare concerts and recordings playing more traditional jazz. This album became best Bulgarian jazz recording ever and in late 70-s was exported to almost every Eastern European country, where still could be found in second hand vinyl shops. Unhappily, it was never re-released on vinyl or CD at all!
If you will be lucky to find a copy - take it, you will become an owner of one of the best Eastern European jazz fusion releases and collectible rarity at the same time.