Record Reviews

BIG BAND UMFC WARSAW ~ CLASSIC ON JAZZ MTJ 11458 (Barcode: 5906409114582) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 During my recent visit to Warsaw my dear friend Pawel BrodowskiFind albums by this artist took me to hear a concert by the Big Band UMFC WarsawFind albums by this artist, which simply stands for Big Band of the Frederic Chopin Music University in Warsaw, Poland´s most prestigious music education institution. Although the program of that concert was different from the material recorded on this album (it was a tribute to Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist´s Christmas repertoire - more or less), hearing the Big Band live (and the two vocalists) was great fun and certainly an aesthetic pleasure. It was during the intermission that I met the Big Band leader / conductor Piotr KostrzewaFind albums by this artist, who explained that the members of the Big Band are UMFC students, which of course was not a surprise, and that they are all Classical Music students, which of course was completely surprising. Classical musicians that can swing the way this Big Band swings, is a major surprise indeed. Even more surprising was the discovery that the UMFC does not have a Jazz department, in spite of the immense popularity of Jazz in Poland since many decades and the fact that most other regional Polish towns (Katowice, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Lodz, Bydgoszcz and others) have Jazz departments at their Music Academies, some of which are truly excellent. It´s a high time for Warsaw to catch up! It seems that Kostrzewa singlehandedly managed to turn the classicist into swingers and at least the UMFC acknowledges the need of such activity within its walls. This album presents eleven popular Classical Music compositions arranged for a Jazz Big Band by some of the most famous Big Band arrangers and in three cases by drummer / arranger Wojtek KostrzewaFind albums by this artist, Piotr Kostrzewa´s son. In many cases attempts to treat Classical Music in a Jazzy way end up being a trivialization of the original compositions and sadly also kitschy pastiches of Jazz. However, in the case of this album, the Classical pieces serve only as a harmonic background and melodic hints and they are wholly transformed into the Jazz Big Band idiom, with many solo spots enabling the young musicians and invited special guests to show off their chops and overall swing happily and vigorously from start to finish. Considering that Big Bands are a rare commodity these days, Kostrzewa´s dedication and initiative are truly praiseworthy by itself and as a tool to expand they young generation´s musical horizons. Overall this is a very entertaining and well done Big Band album which can certainly satisfy many Jazz fans, especially those with a special relation to Big Bands. Hopefully the band will continue to produce more albums in the not too distant future.

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BIG BAND WYDZIALU JAZZU PANS W NYSIE ~ SINGING AND SWINGING NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by a Big Band comprising of students and staff of the Jazz Department of the Nysa Academy, conducted by trumpeter Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist, featuring five young vocalists. The staff includes pianist Przemyslaw RaminiakFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jakub MizerackiFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents eight tracks, all standards, most from the repertoire of Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist and the Count Basie OrchestraFind albums by this artist. The playing time is just above half an hour, which makes this an EP rather than a full album. There is of course nothing new or surprising about the music, except the fact that is does sound perfectly professional and similar to any school Big Band around the globe, which testifies to the fertile ground for Jazz in Poland with such talented young players. Even the English accent and pronunciation by the vocalist is bearable. The staff of the Academy can be proud of their students, who stand up to the challenge without a hitch, producing a highly entertaining, nostalgic and pleasant vocal / Big Band album, which can be enjoyed by every Swing Big Band fan anywhere in the world. Overall, although “just” a school recording, this is a highly entertaining, perfectly played and excellently recorded Big Band album, making of which was surely a valuable lesson to all the students. Congrats to Piotr Schmidt for pulling this together!

Updated: 21/06/2023Posted: 21/06/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GIDI GOV ~ MOON DANCE HED ARZI 64343 (Barcode: 7293372434396) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 6th album. With a career stretching over more than thirty years Gidi GovFind albums by this artist is today a mythical figure on the local Israeli music scene. Since his early days as the lead singer of the legendary group KaveretFind albums by this artist and up to date he maintained an unprecedented and uncompromising standard of musical excellence, refusing to participate in any sort of trendy escapades. His unique and very personal way of singing can be compared to the great American and European performers like Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, Tom WaitsFind albums by this artist, Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist and many others, all of whom posses not only a remarkable voice but also a deep understanding of music and a high level of emotional involvement with it. Although Gov usually performs material written specifically for him (in most cases by his friends Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist), for this special project he collected a string of classic international vocal standards (and some Israeli evergreens from his past), which were beautifully translated into Hebrew by Eli Mohar and exquisitely arranged by Adi RenertFind albums by this artist (one of Israel’s great jazz musicians and arrangers). The ensemble accompanying Gov includes the creme de la creme of the Israeli jazz players and the entire album is beautifully recorded and produced (IMO this is the best ever production in this country). The choice of material might have easily resulted in some tackiness, but Gov’s incredible talent to interpret tacky material (like Armstrong’s “It’s A Wonderful World”) with enough twist to make it interesting works like a charm. His interpretation of Van Morrison’s “Moondance” is simply divine and the rest of the material is equally excellent. Age seems to be smiling upon Gov as the experience and seasoning turned him into a world-class performer by any standard. I absolutely adore every minute of this great album and urge everybody with sensitive ears to give it a try.

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

IRVING JOSEPH ~ MURDER INC. GAD 034 (Barcode: 5901549197433) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1960 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of the cult album by American pianist / composer / arranger / conductor Irving JosephFind albums by this artist originally released in 1960. It presents twelve instrumental pieces, which are an "imaginary soundtrack" to an imaginary crime movie, full of suspense and brilliantly atmospheric ambience. The music is performed by a twelve-piece orchestra, which features many famous studio and Jazz musicians of the era, for example trumpeter Louis MucciFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Phil BodnerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Bucky PizzarelliFind albums by this artist, bassist George DuvivierFind albums by this artist and many others. This is the first time this album is released on CD. Joseph, primarily known as a pianist, who accompanied such stars as Lena HorneFind albums by this artist, Rita MorenoFind albums by this artist and even Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, was also a much sought after conductor for many famous Broadway shows, and of course a composer, as documented on this album. The album was recorded and released at the time as a showcase of the rapid development of the Hi-Fi recording equipment and record technology and was considered an absolute top quality sound recording of the day. This remastered version still sounds absolutely stunning today. The music is somewhat in the spirit of the Henry ManciniFind albums by this artist´s celebrated "The Pink PantherFind albums with this title" soundtrack, which was recorded three years after this album, and a comparison between these two recordings is pretty intriguing. Although not intended as a Jazz album at the time, it is in retrospect a bona fide orchestral Jazz of the highest quality, a true masterpiece of the genre, and as such an absolute must in any serious Jazz record collection. Kudos to GADFind albums on this label Records for reviving this treasure!

Updated: 25/02/2016Posted: 25/02/2016

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MAREK POSPIESZALSKI ~ GRA PIOSENKI, KTORE SPIEWAL FRANK SINATRA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2015 Released: 2017 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist Marek PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet format with Austrian pianist Elias StemesederFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Max MuchaFind albums by this artist and German drummer Max AndrzejewskiFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album presents eight songs, which are associated with Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist´s repertoire, all of them classic standards, which get a new interpretation herein. Pospieszalski, as followers of the Polish Jazz scene know, is associated with the Free Jazz / Improvised Music genre and this album follows these basic boundaries, as expected. Therefore the choice of the material is rather bizarre, to say the least. Having infinite possibilities including self composed or freely improvised music, re-inventing these almost "sacred" songs seems truly outlandish and misguided. Being intimately familiar with these songs and their wonderful interpretations by Sinatra, as much as appreciate freedom and exploration, this treatment seems to me as being disrespectful and unnecessary. A recent trend of re-composing, re-inventing, de-composing and otherwise transforming classic material is very interesting, but should have at least some self-constraint. The music itself is very interesting and well executed, with all participants being excellent musicians with an impressive record behind them. The music is full of wonderful freedom, which does not hinder the cooperation between the quartet members. It was wonderfully recorded at the RecPublica Studios by Lukasz OlejarczykFind albums by this artist and is an excellent example of contemporary European Free Jazz scene, which is flourishing and vital in every respect. Overall what might have been a great album with a different concept behind it turns out to be a wonderful chocolate cake with a mustard filling. Some things should stay untouchable…

Updated: 16/04/2017Posted: 16/04/2017

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

FRANK SINATRA ~ THE CONCERT SINATRA (EXPANDED EDITION) UNIVERSAL 602527968070 (Barcode: 602527968070) ~ USA ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1963 Released: 2012 This wonderful album by Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, released unfortunately under a somewhat misleading title, is a studio recording (not as the title might suggest), made with a huge orchestra (arranged and conducted by the fabulous Nelson RiddleFind albums by this artist) and including material, which Sinatra did not perform usually on stage. What the "concert" part of the title did suggest was that this material is more "serious" and deserved to be performed in a concert hall. The huge orchestra and the exceptional care about the recording quality were all part of the same "serious" status applied to this recording. Whatever the original intentions were at the time, this album allows the listener a rare opportunity to hear Sinatra singing more challenging (both musically and lyrically) material, with he does wholeheartedly and admirably. Riddle´s marvelous orchestration turns each and every one of tracks into an instant classic and in retrospect this album retains all its original beauty and aesthetic finesse.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FRANK SINATRA ~ WATERTOWN (DELUXE EDITION) CAPITOL 602445380206 (Barcode: 602445380206) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2022 This is a new edition of the brilliant album by iconic American vocalist Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1970. The album was a completely unique true “concept album” in Sinatra’s recording career, rather than a collection of unrelated songs. All the songs on this album were co-written by Bob GaudioFind albums by this artist and Jake HolmesFind albums by this artist and tell a life story of a man from a small American town. This new edition has a restored sound quality, eight bonus tracks and an extensive booklet, which background information about the concept, the story and the recording of this unique piece of music. As usual with Sinatra’s albums, he is accompanied by an orchestra, which performs lush and often intricate instrumental parts, arranged by the best professionals on scene. This is the only Sinatra album, on which he added his vocals on top of pre-recorded orchestral parts. His usual modus operandi was recording live with the orchestra, but the complexity of the lyrics and the music in this case persuaded him to change the approach for just this one album. Although at the time of its release the album was a complete commercial failure, being the worst selling Sinatra album in all time, in retrospect it is a true masterpiece, which was simply way ahead of its time. The idea of “concept albums” was just about starting to evolve in Pop and Rock, but again in retrospect, many Sinatra’s earlier albums pioneered this tendency already a decade earlier. As for Sinatra’s performances, he is of course absolutely divine from start to finish. For me he always was the greatest American vocalist across the board, not only because of his technical abilities, but mainly due to his completely unique approach to the interpretation of the lyrics, where every word, or even syllable, has a meaning. The ideal amalgam of brain and heart that Sinatra was able to achieve remains to be unparalleled to this very day and his collected recording legacy is simply a colossal Cultural and Artistic treasure. Overall, this is sadly a little know gem in Sinatra’s long and glorious career, which deserves a special attention and it is great to see it receiving this special treatment and being brought again on the market. It is, after all, a true treasure trove! Side Note Although not a Jazz album per se, everything Sinatra recorded swung, and if it got that swing…

Updated: 19/01/2024Posted: 19/01/2024

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FRANK SINATRA / COUNT BASIE ~ THE COMPLETE REPRISE STUDIO RECORDINGS UNIVERSAL 602527968872 (Barcode: 602527968872) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1962 - 1964 Released: 2012 Every time I hear Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist sing, my heart melts and yet at the same time I get mad remembering what so many sanctimonious Jazz critics had to say about him and his contribution to Jazz. Let me tell you smug ignoramuses: Sinatra had more feel for Jazz in his pinky than most other Jazz vocalists you rave about. Anybody with a pair of ears used as musical devices rather than decoration will tell you that these recordings by Sinatra, accompanied by the divine Count Basie OrchestraFind albums by this artist, are pure, unadulterated Jazz classics, which stand the test of time better than most others recordings of the era. This album brings together the two studio albums Sinatra made with Basie: "An Historic Musical FirstFind albums with this title" (arranged and conducted by Neal HeftiFind albums by this artist) and "It Might As Well Be SwingFind albums with this title" (arranged and conducted by Quincy JonesFind albums by this artist), recorded a couple of years apart in the early 1960s, when both Sinatra and Basie were at their absolute artistic peak. The repertoire includes many Sinatra classic standards, which he performed repeatedly over the years live, with these particular versions being definitely remarkable. An absolute classic!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAREK WIST / KRZYSZTOF HERDZIN BIG BAND ~ SWINGING WITH SINATRA DUX 0090 (Barcode: 5902547000909) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 This is a live recording of a concert dedicated, as the title suggests, to the songs which were part of the classic repertoire of Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist. The songs are performed by young Polish vocalist Jarek WistFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a Big Band led and conducted by distinguished veteran pianist / composer / arranger Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist. The album includes fourteen tracks, twelve of which are standards from the Sinatra repertoire and two are original compositions by Herdzin, one used as an intro and the other as a showcase to present the members of the Big Band at mid-time. Sinatra, who was often dismissed by narrow-minded Jazz buffs as a crooner and mere entertainer, was in fact one of the greatest American Jazz singers and had more swing in his toes alone than most others, certainly more than his critics. His very individual and unique treatments of the great American Songbook are the absolute Holy Grail of American Jazz vocals and remain untouched by time, incomparable, undefeated and uncontested. Especially notable are his superb recordings with Big Bands, like the Count BasieFind albums by this artist Orchestra and several others, arranged and conducted by such luminaries as Nelson RiddleFind albums by this artist, Neal HeftiFind albums by this artist or Quincy JonesFind albums by this artist. All these recordings are quintessential, pure and unadulterated Jazz classics. It is simply impossible to listen to this album without comparing it, for example, to the classic "Sinatra At The SandsFind albums with this title", recorded with the Count Basie Orchestra conducted by Quincy Jones. Unfortunately the comparison doesn´t leave much space to remain positive about this album, which is a great pity, since the intentions were probably quite honorable and the participants are all excellent musicians. I can understand Herdzin willing to step into the shoes of the great Big Band arrangers of the past and indeed his part as the arranger is probably the best ingredient of the entire package. However even these arrangements sound rather pale and lack the zest and the kick which characterize the original Sinatra recordings. I have no idea if the Big Band had ample opportunity to rehearse and considering the economic realities of a Big Band, they most probably did not, which is immediately apparent. As already stated, the participating musicians, who include pianist Piotr WrombelFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist and thirteen additional brass and reed players, are all able and talented musicians, but obviously have limited opportunities to show their skills within the Big Band collective when accompanying a lead singer. Wist is a rather ordinary singer, completely lacking the theatrical and humorous sides of Sinatra´s stage persona. His interpretations of these classic standards are simply dull and often imperfect technically. And of course there is the dreaded Polish accent and pronunciation, which is perhaps acceptable on the local market but completely unbearable to an English speaker. It´s a pity the producers of this album did not consider the additional step of getting the lyrics translated into Polish; this might have saved the day, al least to some extent. Even the audience´s applause present at the hall where this music was recorded sounds hesitant and weary and the sound quality of the recording suffers from uneven volume, poor separation and overall muddy resonance. In retrospect this was a lost case before it even begun. Tackling the enormity of Sinatra´s talent, heritage and status is not a very wise decision and such things are usually best left alone. The old saying: "a smart man knows how to get out of trouble but the wise man knows how to avoid trouble in the first place" is very appropriate here. During the concert Herdzin complains about the difficulty of his multi-talented persona (he not only arranged the songs, composed two pieces and conducted the band, but also plays the piano on one track and sings on another). Perhaps there is a lesson here for him, since after all he is an extremely talented person. On the other hand those who don´t do don´t make mistakes, and he surely does a lot.

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