SERGEY KURYOKHIN: POPULAR ZOOLOGICAL ELEMENTS * RARE LEO RECORDS * NM-

$

65

SERGEY KURYOKHIN: POPULAR ZOOLOGICAL ELEMENTS * RARE LEO RECORDS * NM-

Product Description

LP Condition

NM-: very clean Leo Records, England  

Cover Condition

EX: light wear, light stain on bottom, still strong  

Artists

Solo piano

Notes

Super rare 1987 Leo Records original release  - and a jazz piano avant garde classic!   

AllMusic 4.5:   [FINEGROOVE NOTE - THIS REVIEW IS FOR KURYOKHIN' FIRST LP, BUT APPLIES EQUALLY TO "ZOOLOGICAL", THE LP FOR SALE]   The Russian pianist Kuryokhin -- while not particularly influential in America -- was nevertheless one of the most astoundingly gifted and original players to have ever played jazz, in any country. Read elsewhere about his life story (he died a tragically premature death in 1996 at a young age); our concern here is a review of this, a reissue of his remarkable first album. A relic from 1981, when Russia was still the Soviet Union and playing free jazz in that country was almost literally a crime, this solo recording was paradoxically first released by Melodia, the state's official record label. The record documents an amazing talent, who, had he been born in America, would probably have been widely considered one of the greatest free jazz pianists ever (he is anyway, regardless of perception).

Kuryokhin had an almost supernatural technique, his lines are played as quickly and are as sharply articulated as those of any pianist this side of Art Tatum. Reminiscent of Cecil Taylor (as ultimately it seems all free jazz pianists must be, to an extent) and perhaps Glenn Gould (in terms of touch), Kuryokhin nevertheless sounds like no one but himself. Occasionally he plays so fast with such clarity, one is tempted to believe that the tape's been sped up. He's an obsessive pianist, worrying over and embellishing small motives until they've given all there is to give. He has a marvelously percussive attack and a bracing sense of rhythm; the piano is a set of 81 tuned drums in his hands, played with great subtlety and depth of feeling. Kuryokhin extends conventional technique as well -- he's not afraid to go inside and pluck and strum the instrument's innards, or tap and bang, drum-like, on its various surfaces. This album is rather strangely recorded -- the piano sounds a bit like a toy, as if the mics were positioned a bit off-axis. Kuryokhin renders the odd sound irrelevant. The album isn't perfect; the artist's formal sense was not very sophisticated, at least at this early stage of his development. His idea of form was mainly to explore one idea until its possibilities were exhausted, then move on to the next. Nevertheless, his profound imagination and skills as a pianist win the day. This is an incredible document and shouldn't be missed by any serious student of avant-garde piano.

!! Buy more than one LP !!

Only 25 cents for each additional LP  (USA Delivery)

FineGroove provides fast & professional record mailing

USPS Media Mail Base Charge of $4 includes all new shipping material

International shipping at cost - several cost-saving options for bulk orders

These are actual scans of the LP for sale.

The scanner tends to over-emphasize ring wear and cover blemishes that are unobtrusive in plain sight.

RECORD GRADING

Finegroove loves all music and we have thousands of LPs of all genres. Keep your eyes on us - please subscribe to our store newsletter. We use eBay's standardized grading scale.  We primarily sight-grade LPs, but we play-grade LPs when we can. Our primary playback system uses a sensitive moving coil cartridge (Clearaudio Stradivari V2) with vacuum tube based amplification (Audio Research). As many of you know, the type of cartridge, turntable setup, preamplification, etc. can produce a significantly different listening experience, particularly on less than Near Mint LPs. A old classic LP in VG+ condition can sound fantastic with a Moving Magnet cartridge and warm tube amplification, but can be annoying with a sensitive MC cartridge and digital solid state amplification. We try to grade and price records with these thoughts in mind and we welcome your feedback on our grading, particularly if you are dissatisfied with the LP.

MINT: LP is sealed or like-new; Cover is sealed or like-new

NEAR MINT: LP is visually clean and will play without background sound.  Cover is clean & tight.

EXCELLENT: LP may have light sleeve scuffs or marks that have little to no effect on playback; Cover may have slight wear but is still very nice.

VERY GOOD PLUS: LP will have superficial lines or sleeve scuffs and the LP may have a little background noise noticeable during quiet sections; Cover may have ring wear and tiny corner dings. VG+ is our grade for a VINYL & MUSIC LOVER ... some great deals here!

VERY GOOD: LP may have light scratches & scuffs and will play with occasional background noise; Covers may have ring wear, small tears and dinged corners - still a great LP and a great deal!

GOOD: LP will play without skipping but has background noise; Cover may have split seams, water and other physical damage - for rare LPs and retro vinyl lovers.

POOR:  A nice Frisbee relacement!  Possibly a tray for appetizers!  With modification, a Throwing Star to protect home & hearth - our most versatile grade!!

RETURN POLICY

Your enjoyment of sound is our top priority! Special and unusual requests enthusiastically solicited! Check our feedback and buy with confidence. All items are guaranteed to be as described. Returns for cash or credit must be approved first by Finegroove music, but anything within reason will be accepted as a return. We will also refund shipping costs if the dispute is deemed to be our fault. Thank you for your business!

SHIPPING & COMBINED SHIPPING

Finegroove ships all over the world and will consolidate purchases made within a five day period into a single box upon request. For domestic U.S. orders each additional LP is only 25 cents via media mail. Priority mail and tracking services can be added per your request. Combined shipping for international orders is roughly $5 per extra LP up to a four lb (1.8 kg) package; a package above this weight requires Priority shipping service. Please ask for a combined international shipping quote.

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