Record Reviews

DZAMBLE ~ KAZDY MARZY KAZDY SNI GAD 063 (Barcode: 5901549197860) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2017 This is an archival release of radio recordings by the excellent Polish group DzambleFind albums by this artist. These recordings were done by the last incarnation of the group, which included the charismatic vocalist / saxophonist Andrzej ZauchaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Ryszard KwasniewskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Wieslaw WilczkiewiczFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Stefan SendeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Marian PawlikFind albums by this artist and drummer Benedykt RadeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, five of which are originals composed by Sendecki, Pawlik and Wilczkiewicz, two are composed by the prolific Polish composer Jacek MikulaFind albums by this artist and another two are arrangements of Pop songs (sung in English). Two of these recordings are previously unreleased, six were released as singles and one was released in a compilation set only. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Pop / Rock / Groove / Funk / Jazz, which still sounds great as if untouched by time. All the instrumentalists are experienced and highly skilled players and the album sparks with ideas and excellent solo parts. Zaucha´s vocals are absolutely marvelous and his Jazz and Rock experience is of course quite evident here. Considering the fact that the group released only one studio album, eight years before this material was recorded, and the fact that Zaucha was tragically killed some years after these recordings, the material included here is a goldmine of excitement for many of the group´s and Zaucha´s followers. The recordings have an excellent sound quality and the album includes intelligent liner notes with historical background information about the group and the circumstances of the recording sessions. As usual thanks are due to GADFind albums on this label Records for bringing this music back to circulation.

Updated: 13/02/2020Posted: 29/01/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EXTRA BALL ~ AQUARIUM LIVE NO.3 POLJAZZ / ANEX 305 (Barcode: 5907513047605) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009 Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Extra BallFind albums by this artist was the best and most dominant ensemble on the local scene in the late 1970s. Founded by the best young Polish Jazz musicians at the time, members of the second generation of the country´s splendid tradition, they displayed an amazing level of individual talents both as players and composers. Led by guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, the initial incarnation of the band also included saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jan CichyFind albums by this artist and drummer Benedykt RadeckiFind albums by this artist. These live performances are the last recording by the original lineup, except for drummer Marek StachFind albums by this artist, who replaced Radecki. Recorded live at the Warsaw Aquarium Jazz club, this is an amazing performance with a band at their highest peak, but torn internally as to the musical direction, which led to their demise soon after, with Sendecki and Olejniczak forming Sun ShipFind albums by this artist. The inclusion of two Jazz standards clearly points out the tendency of some band members to return to the more traditional Jazz forms rather that continue the Fusion path. Smietana´s superb guitar licks will amaze every Fusion fan, who was never exposed to his performances and Sendecki´s keyboard wizardry is simply astounding. This is an excellent album, which all Fusion lovers on this planet should be proud to have in their collections. An absolute must!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EXTRA BALL ~ BIRTHDAY (POLISH JAZZ VOL.48) POLSKIE RADIO 0545 (Barcode: 5901448115453) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2005 Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Extra BallFind albums by this artist was the best and most dominant ensemble on the local scene in the late 1970s. Founded by the best young Polish Jazz musicians at the time, members of the second generation of the country´s splendid tradition, they displayed an amazing level of individual talents both as players and composers. Led by guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, the initial incarnation of the band also included saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jan CichyFind albums by this artist and drummer Benedykt RadeckiFind albums by this artist. Smietana and Sendecki wrote the material for this, their debut album, which is truly outstanding in every sense. The melodies are complex and well developed, covering a wide range of cultural influences, both from the Jazz tradition and from other sources like folklore and European Classical music and Rock. The level of musicianship is amazingly high, definitely well beyond what one might expect from people in their twenties. Smietana´s superb guitar licks will amaze every Fusion fan, who was never exposed to his performances and Sendecki´s keyboard wizardry is simply astounding. This is an excellent album, which all Fusion lovers on this planet should be proud to have in their collections. An absolute must!

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend