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

MARIAN PAWLIK ~ OLD BASS LINE NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5907222318409) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album as a leader by veteran Polish bassist / composer Marian PawlikFind albums by this artist, renowned as a member of the legendary Polish Jazz-Rock ensemble DzambleFind albums by this artist, which recorded just one cult album "Wolanie O Slonce Nad SwiatemFind albums with this title". This album, recorded in a quartet setting, finds Pawlik in the company of the young generation Polish Jazz players: pianist Kuba PluzekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bartlomiej NoszkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal HellerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are originals: two by Pawlik and three by Pluzek and four are by celebrated Jazz bassists: two by Paul ChambersFind albums by this artist and one each by Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and Oscar PettifordFind albums by this artist. The music was excellently recorded and the up-front bass presence is a delight to the many enthusiast of the instrument. As the album´s title suggests, it is primarily a tribute to the double bass, its heroes and history, and as a result the music is mostly within the boundaries of American Bebop tradition, albeit the majority of it was composed by the Polish members of the quartet. There is no doubt that the three compositions by Pluzek are the most interesting musical endeavors, even if they are still closely related to the Bebop spirit, as they offer typical twists and turns Pluzek often employs in his compositions, which make the cognoscenti smile. The music is executed perfectly, with a lot of soloing space offered to the leader, who obviously displays first-class technique and feel for the music. Noszka and Pluzek solo extensively as well, always according to what is expected in this kind of music. Heller keeps the time like clockwork and stays mostly in the shadows. Personally I find this kind of music uninteresting, but listeners who still listen to Bebop should be able to enjoy this music and since this is an opportunity to listen to a legendary musician still in great form, it is a source of joy.

Updated: 10/12/2018Posted: 10/12/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MARTA ZALEWSKA ~ JAZZ.PL VOL.2 POLSKIE RADIO 2408-2409 (Barcode: 5907812243869) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish Jazz vocalist / bass guitarist / violinist Marta ZalewskaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a septet setting (Orchestra is a bit overboard) with trumpeter Jerzy MalekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lukasz PoprawskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Piotr WylezolFind albums by this artist, guitarist Krzysztof ZagajewskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Michal PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jose Manuel Alban JuarezFind albums by this artist. Violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist appears as special guest, and two backing vocalists are also present. The album presents Fusion arrangements of ten songs by the Polish Rock group DzambleFind albums by this artist, nine of which are taken from their only album entitled “Wolanie O Slonce Nad SwiatemFind albums with this title” released originally in 1971, and one is a non-album single. The album was recorded live by Polish Radio during a series of concerts entitled Jazz.pl, hence the title. The album also includes a bonus CD with radio recordings by the original group, captured between 1969 and 1971. The idea of reanimating this particular cult album in a Jazz / Fusiony setting is not farfetched, considering that on the original album Dzamble had top Polish Jazz musicians of that time: Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist and Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, playing as guests. The music on this album suffers from a number of problems. The arrangements are rather trivial, the Funky / Brass Rock approach is a bit crude, the vocals are limited and the sound quality of the recording is somewhat muddy. But there are some bright points, like the brilliant solos by Wylezol, who never fails, and trumpet solos by Malek, who is a real pro. The biggest obstacle for me is that the new approach completely does not connect to the concept (musical and ideological) of the original. Altogether, I’d rather stick to the original album than listen to this, but of course each to his own. The bonus CD with the archival recordings is of course perfect, and emphasizes the gap between the source and the replica. Overall, this an attempt to revive a legendary classic Rock / Fusion album, which basically misses the target, but offers some nice performances by the musicians involved, but the 2CD package is worth its price just for the bonus CD with the archival material.

Updated: 28/02/2023Posted: 28/02/2023

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend