Olga Konkova - Pizza Express Music Room, Maidstone - 2/06/00

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! In the person of Olga Konkova, pianist, (and allies), they stormed and conquered after a stern tussle at the Pizza Express. Indeed, it might be said that their earlier skirmishing foray, in the form of ‘Her Point of View’ disc, had softened me up, so that I was close to seeing her point of view already. Now, even without a ‘Northern Crossing’ album sliding in to reinforce the flanks, a full-blown frontal assault at Maidstone by the leader in person, enabled her to prevail quite easily. Her music was a masterly demonstration of how far and widely modern jazz can go within recognisable structures, whilst commanding the main battleground with a carpet assault of percussive brilliance that had the entire audience battered into submission quite early into the engagement. In all this she was more than ably supported by Norwegian hubby Per Mathisen on a brace of basses. He is no time-keeping old sweat, content to rest on his laurels, but a subtle and agile performer who often took the lead, brilliantly, when the occasion arose. When they paused to consolidate, their charm and melodic inventions were attractive enough to find the less robust amongst us well-disposed and ready to surrender on whatever terms they offered. I know I am not alone in wishing them well.

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