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NIKOLAY KOPERNIK
A brilliant, authentic, russian space, legendary new wave, ancient free jazz ,esoteric and psychedelic band from Moscow.
Its leader Yuri Orlov- composer and singer talanted undeground sound wizard of Moscow avanguarde art and unique electronic music. He used such pseudonyms as Nikolay Kopernik, FIO, The dream tower and Cool Hand of Moscow .
In early 80s Orlov organized metaphysical" Nikolay Kopernik" - the most effective and authentic group of the late USSR. The rare mixture of ancient music traditions and russian poetry has become a real spiritual renessance for russian music culture and influnced on the establishing of original way in contemporary progressive music, remaining till now.
The first studio album "Rodina" 1985 is remarkable root in many reasons: great moody songs, arranged by means of space jazz, glam, ambient and elitary new wave. Very special hypnotising vocal sang in russian and far out poetry makes this album unforgettable from the very begining. ¨
No other russian band played music like this in those delicate and strange times of balalaika and perestroyka. Shoking, meditative and esoteric Nikolay Kopernik looked
and sounded fantastic. Orlov briefly worked with actual here and now suspience and kept experimenting with original performances, electronic soundscapes always himself and never staying the same.
After several successful N. K. lives in Moscow (those were the days of real undeground for independent artists) , a new concert program "Nothern Way" was presented.
It was less electronic, but even more atmospheric and pure romantic. A live recording made in Vilnus represent the new character and sound of the band.
Among the members of N.K. were such rare musicians as: genious bass player Oleg Andreyev ( Orlov's close friend and partner till 1994), Dmitri Tzvetkov (they say the best Moscow drum player in 80s); Igor Len (talented ambient composer);Konstantin Baranov (guitar player), Vladimir Guskov (guitar), Alexei Alexeyev (guitar); Konstantin Smirnov (synth); Konstantin Gavrillov (synth); Igor Andreev (sax); Alexander Khutorovski (trumbon); Max Trefan (piano); Boris Raskolnikov (guitar ); Evgeniy Osin (percussion); Georgiy Tzelovalnikov (guitar); Sergei Hasanov (guitar); Pavel Hotin (keyboards); Evgeniy Melnikov (bass);Mikhail Sokolovski (guitar, synth); Vlad Rosh (drums), Valeriy Lustrov (sax); Petr Mikov (guitar); Dmitri Kretov (guitar)
Then the band started to play many concerts and participate in various russian and some foreign rock and art festivals. Conservative and gloomy wind was blowing in those days.Many soviet people thought mostly about how to make both ends meet and Orlov sang about spiritual revival and metaphysically beautiful things. It was clear that NK's open-hearted music lies far away from horizontal collective conciousness and pushed the listeners to think about the secret of human existence and its meaning.
The most attaractive and stylish were 1989 albums "Blind with the sun" and "Live in Tiran", recorded at SNC studios in Moscow. In the late 80s Orlov entered the world of acid house and techno. His project FIO was among the first experimental electronic dance movement, recorded great music. Working with synthesisers and drum machines Yuri created many good old school stuff.
The era of electronic experiments was the most effective during the 90s. Playing the wide range of styles: acid core, trip hop, trance-minimalism, electro acoustic, ambient, acid jazz and even electro funk Yuri always has the special crystal atmosphere.
Recently Orlov has returned to Nikolay Kopernik and in 2006 the band appeared alive again. His former musicians are experienced masters of atmosphere and the band keep beeing like noone and nothing else. Nowdays they are recording a new album.
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