“LINGUA FRANCA.” Belladonna BR 1102 (Box 29211,...

“LINGUA FRANCA.” Belladonna BR 1102 (Box 29211, Los Angeles 90029). The Bulgarian pianist Milcho Leviev, the Yugoslav guitarist Dusan Bogdanovic and the Soviet saxophonist Alexei Zoubov have been working together off and on for the past year. Side 1 was taped live at the Vine St. Bar & Grill. The three do indeed have a common language but would have been better off putting it to less pretentious use. The mix of originals with touches of Chopin and Stravinsky tries to cover too many bases; Zoubov’s dark, swirling lines are attractive on “Compulsion,” but elsewhere he indulges pointlessly in split tones, squeaks and tricks. This adventurous group needs a focus. 2 1/2 stars.