Record Reviews

HENRYK DEBICH ~ ZBLIZENIE ASTIGMATIC 018 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1977 Released: 2021 This is an archival album by Polish composer, activist and long-time leader / conductor of The Lodz Orchestra Of Polish Radio And TelevisionFind albums by this artist, Henryk DebichFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by the members of the Orchestra, recorded between 1974 and 1977. It is obviously a companion release to the two albums released by GADFind albums on this label Records that present also music recorded by Debich and the Orchestra: “CityFind albums with this title” (released in 2020) and “HoryzontyFind albums with this title” (released in 2021), both presenting music recorded in 1978. The music is absolutely brilliant and timeless, as are the arrangements and the execution, and for lovers of European Orchestral Jazz, this is an out-and-out gem of course. Although the album’s extensive and informative booklet tries to emphasize the “Polish Funk” sound, the music is only partly a reminder of that particular idiom in Polish Jazz, discovered decades later by DJs, but it certainly showcases some excellent examples of it, proving that perhaps “white men can’t jump”, but they certainly can Funk :) Archival albums like this one are a great way to remember and pay tribute to the rich Polish Musical Culture, and it is great to see such efforts being realized, sadly still being just a rarity on the local market. Overall, this is a superb piece of Orchestral Jazz, which still sounds great despite the fact that it was recorded forty-five years ago. The remastered sound and the vitality of the music makes it a wonderful listening experience, which no Jazz enthusiast should miss. And in retrospect this music offers way more than most contemporary efforts, considering how much work, talent and out-of-the-box thinking went into creating it. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 04/01/2022Posted: 04/01/2022

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