Background Magazine
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NL-1620 GD Hoorn
Netherlands
http://listen.to/background
#79, page 7
CREAM OF THE CROP section

ER J ORCHESTRA - ON THE HILL AGAIN
(2002, 45:19, Rostok Records - no number stated)
"Gabrielius" was the first CD release by this fine jazz-rock band from Kiev, Ukraine, and it was reviewed in issue #73 of BM for March 2000. To me, that CD
both complimented (with an 'i' ) and complemented (with an 'e' ) the Pat Metheny Group. There were definite PMG influences, even to the extent of incorporating similar wordless vocals in most of the tracks, and in the use of the Russian instrument called the bayan, reminiscent of the accordion sounds of Lyle Mays in earlier PMG days. However, Er J, led by pianist and composer Alexei Alexandrov,
also amply presented their own identity, in a Ukrainian or Russian way, to augment their PMG style. Also in evidence on that CD were similarities to another talented but lesser known American jazz-rock band called Montreux, especially in the use of the violin; though I sense that Er J had never heard of Montreux, resulting in the similarities there being coincidental. The preceding comparisons are commendable, but now, on the second release, Er J have expanded their own style, such that "On the Hill Again" is a splendid album. Of course, I liked "Gabrielius", but this new one is even better, with further examples of melodic, vibrant and atmospheric jazz-rock, sometimes led by violin again, and sometimes by flugelhorn, trumpet or cornet, which were not featured on "Gabrielius", and blended with beautiful folk and ethnic sounds. OK, perhaps with the latest
incarnation of the PMG having a trumpet, some similarity between the two bands is maintained, but "On the Hill Again" is highly recommended in its own right. The album, partly recorded live at the Kiev Planetarium in 2001, is mostly instrumental, with just limited wordless vocals this time; and because there is little or no space between the tracks, the 45 minutes seem like one long improvisation. But, as you play the CD, just wait for the excellent vocals, with words in English, from the drummer, Nikolai Dubinin, referred to as Oakman in English, from the Russian 'dub', meaning 'oak' .
Er J hope to release a CD soon of their concert in Kiev in May of this year, and the band will be fully described by me in a later part of my series on Russian and ex-Soviet progressive music, commencing with this issue.

"On the Hill Again" is available for 15 UK pounds or equivalent in US dollars, including postage from Ukraine, by contacting Oakman in English on the address mentioned below.
***** (David)
oakman@i.com.ua / http://www.erjorchestra.kiev.ua

P.S. (from an e-mail)
Hi Oakman,
Please note that we put your album in the "Cream of the crop"section of our
magazine, that means the section with the best (in our opinion) releases in that particular issue. Your CD was the Top release within jazz-rock (even beating the second CAB CD)!
Have fun,
Carsten Busch (editor)