Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Woods…

A Survey of Modern Jazz in Eastern Europe, 1956-89

Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Woods… is a survey of modern jazz in Eastern Europe between the years 1956 and 1989. One of its aims is to challenge the idea that Soviet Communism and high quality modern jazz were mutually exclusive. The central part of the book is an A-Z of 124 musicians and bands from the ‘Eastern Bloc’ (the USSR plus satellite and non-aligned states). Here, over 300 albums are discussed. There’s also a substantial section on Various Artists compilations. Beyond the Woods… is written in an accessible style with little in the way of complex terminology and is aimed at experienced modern jazz fans as well as younger readers wishing to get a handle on the music. It concludes with a list of 58 essential albums.