Vali (MKDK Records 0031, 2013)
Vali was one of the most exciting progressive rock releases of 2013. This Estonian band from Tallinn plays a scorching brand of jazz-rock (the band also describes it as powerjazz) deeply inspired by the Canterbury masters, and more specifically National Health and Soft Machine.
This first-rate album contains primarily new material plus new versions of older pieces. It’s superior quality material recorded and broadcast live for Areaal (Klassikaraadio / Estonian Classical Radio) on April 25, 2012. Phlox’s musicians deliver stellar drumming and ensemble interplay as well as impressive solo melodies and improvisations on electric piano, guitar and saxophone. Pearu Helenurm uses keyboard distortion in a highly creative way, taking jazz fusion in unexpected directions.
Band members include Kristo Roots on guitar, Raivo Prooso on bass, Kalle Klein on saxophone, Allan Prooso on percussion, Madis Zilmer on drums, and Pearu Helenurm on keyboards. Most of the pieces are penned by Zilmer and Helenurm.
Phlox (named after the flower) was founded in 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia. The band is connected with record label and nonprofit organization MKDK. The acronym stands for “The Union of Musicians and Artists.” It’s a collective of creative people from various arts disciplines, musicians, writers, filmmakers, etc.
The band has released five albums so far: Fusion (2000) which is out of stock, Piima (2004) also out of stock, Rebimine+voltimine (2007), Talu (2010), and Vali (2013).
Buy the album from http://www.waysidemusic.com/search.aspx?keyword=phlox or http://synphonic.8m.com/country/estonia.htm