Nataliya Lebedeva Trio. Medium Cool live 2008.

It seems that it is almost impossible to perceive music in general "objectively" – the more so when it touches something in the depth and makes one not only feel, but also reflect. In any case, music by Natalia Lebedeva does not suit to me as laid-back listening – somehow unwillingly but very quickly I appear inside of this wave. The more so that it is about a live recording. And on that evening the concert was truly great, and although quite a long period of time had passed between the performance and the release to the disc, the atmosphere was not lost, the magic did not disappear. All the musicians appear in some new, specific and delicate light - and, I believe, this is a merit of Lebedeva as a composer. It is not by chance that Igor Zakus at the beginning of the evening referred to her music as very female one... Expressive – and soft, caring; elegant, distinct – and, at the same time, very emotional, open to intercourse; sometimes anxious – and very lyrical... But emotions to not overwhelm – because, in the end, everything is subordinated to true internal harmony, and it is this harmony that generates the delight and comfort. Thus, I just recommend it – the more so that this recording contains three pieces that were not released before. And, by the way, as a special guest, Artem Mendelenko took part in the concert, he was not involved for recording of the studio variant of the album "Medium Cool" – but that night his saxophone sounded as though it had always been in this music. However, could it be otherwise? When people understand each other, time retreats to the background...