A brilliant pianist who gained some fame when he was with Don Ellis' orchestra in the 1970s, Milcho Leviev has played in the Los Angeles area ever since. This rare solo piano CD features Leviev mostly playing his originals, which include tributes to Count Basie ("King Bassie") and Joe Farrell ("Joe") in addition to a Bulgarian folk song ("Oh My Grandpa"). Leviev shows a great deal of sensitivity on the ballads, romps on the hotter material, and displays his virtuosity and command of the piano when the music calls for it. Leviev's 11 selections (recorded in Japan) are joined by a complementary solo piano number ("Night Fires") by Bruce Stark that was also released on Stark's own M-A release. This little-known CD will take time to locate but it is worth the search. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. King Bassie (To Count Basie) (Milcho Leviev)
02. Ice Cream Truck (Eddie Harris)
03. Women's Dance (Milcho Leviev)
04. The Island (Hikaru Hayashi)
05. Joe (To Joe Farrell)
06. Kaval Melody (Theodossy Spasov)
07. B Major! (Milcho Leviev)
08. 4 + 3 (Milcho Leviev)
09. N.H. (Milcho Leviev)
10. Oh My Grandpa (Bulgarian Folk Song)6:05
11. Matsumoto (micho Leviev)
12. Night Fire (From The MA Release: Shadow Bright) (Bruce Stark)
MILCHO LEVIEV piano
Recorded April 1989 at the Harmony Hall, Matsumoto, Japan
MA Recordings – M012A