Record Reviews

KROKE ~ REJWACH UNIVERSAL MUSIC POLSKA 602508282867 (Barcode: 602508282867) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz-World ensemble KrokeFind albums by this artist, which consists of violist / multi-instrumentalist Tomasz KukurbaFind albums by this artist, accordionist Jerzy BawolFind albums by this artist and bassist Tomasz LatoFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist guest on some of the tracks. The album presents ten original compositions three of which appear as reoccurring themes, together fourteen tracks, which were created as the soundtrack for the Warsaw´s Jewish Theatre performance of the spectacle "Rejwach", based on the book of the same title, directed by my Friend, Polish / American director Andrzej KrakowskiFind albums by this artist. All the music was co-composed by the Kroke members and their producer / sound engineer Dariusz GrelaFind albums by this artist. The music is everything one can expect from Kroke, which in time reached the status of one of the leading ensembles active on the Polish scene, and which always emphasizes its empathy / connection with Jewish / Klezmer music in a most authentic, albeit at the same time completely original fashion. This music is completely up to date both in musical terms and its production approach, blending acoustic instruments with contemporary electronic sounds, as always with elegance and grace. Although the music has a distinct Jewish feel to it, it is also a rich amalgam of other influences, like Balkan and even Middle Easter tinges. The themes are richly melodic, somewhat sentimental and lyrical, but never trivial or simplistic, which proves the true Artistry of its creators. "Rejwach" is a deeply charged spectacle and the music is in many aspects an antidote for the spectators, serving as a balancing factor between the often tragic subject matter and the world existing beyond the scene. It is undoubtedly one of the most successful and fitting original soundtracks created in Poland in the last few years. But listeners, who had not been able to attend the theatre performance of "Rejwach" will be perfectly satisfied with listening to this album, which stands on its own ground perfectly securely as a separate piece of Art. Brilliantly performed by Kroke, superbly recorded and wonderfully put together, this is beautiful piece of music which is a true pleasure to listen to and surely deserves repeated periodic re-visits, as it is absolutely timeless and universal. Hats off, my Friends!

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted: 07/11/2019

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