Hillmen is an instrumental group performing "Free Improvisation" with a Jazz Rock slant, and is located high in the mountains of Topanga, California. 


Formed in 2007, the instrumental group Hillmen has released two abuls so far, and this is their debut release titled: The Whiskey Mountain Sessions, on Djam Karet’s new label Firepool Records. With Peter Hillman on drums, Gayle Ellett on keyboards (B-3 & Rhodes), Mike Murray on guitar, and Stevie Re and Ralph Rivers on bass.

Recorded live-in-studio without overdubs, this 43-minute CD features contemporary instrumental music at its dynamic best.

These four totally improvised pieces presented here are complete compositions recorded without edits, overdubs or computer manipulation. Hillmen perform in a style called Free Improvisation, in which they just tune up and play, with absolutely no predetermined structure, rhythm or key. This style features totally spontaneous creation of music, without the benefit or burden of a written score, No piece of music is ever played twice.

The goal of Hillmen is to create elastic compositions that grow, evolve, live and breathe, and change character over time. Where the composition itself becomes an organic, dynamic being. They believe that by following this path, their instrumental music can be a literal non-abstract representation of the living world. And as you listen to their music you really get the feeling that you are sitting in the room with the musicians themselves, watching as music is being created right before your ears!

REVIEWS:

"The band's improvisational output exudes an after-hours aura, as the musicians let their hair down and surge forward without boundaries." ALL ABOUT JAZZ (USA)

"Fans of Santana, The Grateful Dead, and the Psychedelic music of 60s' and 70s' should find this to their liking." PROGNAUT (USA)

"Mixing, as they do a sultry rhythm section with an enthusiastic organist, this four-piece take ‘free’ to the extreme." SOUND ON SOUND (England)

"Overall, it's arguably the finest "real jazz fusion" album you've heard in ages, certainly one of the most emotive." DEAD EARNEST (Scotland)

"These tunes are part jazz, part post-rock, part progressive, but developed into a complete sound. This is a clear and vibrant work, and I know that this is an album that I’ll return to repeatedly." LEICESTERBANGS (England)

"The result is cutting edge jazz. An excellent acquisition. 9 out of 10" MANTICORNIO (Mexico)

"Hillmen have their own sound and go their own way, but the spirit of the late Sixties, early Seventies, is everywhere. For fans of jam rock this is an interesting acquisition. 3.5 stars out of 4” PROGGIES (Switzerland)

"These improvisations are of the most intimate jazz jams, while also moving through increasingly rocky passages with fiery guitar solos. It should be noted that the album has a crystal clear and vibrant sound." BABYBLAUE (Germany)

"Technically wonderful instrumental music that can transfix even the non-committed music fan. This jazz-rock-fusion is of high quality." CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY (England)

"Fans of Santana, The Grateful Dead, and the Psychedelic music of 60s' and 70s' should find this to their liking." PROGNAUT (USA)

"Better examples of musical ensemble-interaction than Hillmen, are hard to find. Their music is in stark contrast to a market-driven legion of musical garbage that dominates the commercial market." MERLINPROG (Norway)

"Between Miles Davis' "In A Silent Way ', Soft Machine's fourth album, and the seminal experiments of such composers as Gary Burton, Larry Coryell and Graham Bond, the Hillmen have created four pieces of instrumental music-like taking a long road trip to the past." MOVIMENTIPROG (Italy)

"This improv music applies a modern approach to cafe style jazz." SONIC CURIOSITY (USA)

"Quite an enjoyable set. This is improv jazz from an earlier time." AURAL-INNOVATIONS (USA)

"With its laid-back pace and easy, natural flow, the music is strikingly effective in evoking the beauty of the surroundings in which the album was created - though at the same time it may suggest the dim, smoky interior of an old-time jazz club, or also the mellow, informal atmosphere of an open-air festival. Conclusion: 8 out of 10" DUTCH PROGRESSIVE ROCK PAGES (The Netherlands)

"These sessions have produced an excellent album that shows us that improvisation and a catchy melody can indeed go together." IO-Pages (The Netherlands)

"This is music that is created in the moment and is overflowing with creative energy." PROGRESSIVE NEWSLETTER (Germany)

"They all interact naturally, with a certain attitude similar to the Miles Davis album "Bitches Brew." ARLEQUINS (Italy)

"Competent fusion jazz, like a slightly rougher version of an Al Di Meola LP." THE SOUND PROJECTOR (England)

"The Whiskey Mountain Sessions is what it is – a jam album" THE ROCKTOLOGIST (Slovenia)

"The Hillmen's debut is an unexpected surprise that stands among the best of 2011." SEA OF TRANQUILITY (England)

"An organic sound that is intense and brimming with energy. This album is too short, considering its quality!” HIGHLANDS Magazine (France)

"What more can I say? Wonderful from start to end? Yes, that'll do it!"
AUDION Magazine (England)

"Free form improvisation at it’s finest"
PROG-SPHERE (USA)