Record Reviews

AQUAVOICE ~ FLOW AUDIO CAVE 2024/008 (Barcode: 5908298549889) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is an album by Polish Ambient composer / arranger Tadeusz LuczejkoFind albums by this artist, who uses the AquavoiceFind albums by this artist moniker. He invited several prominent Polish Jazz / Avant-Garde musicians to participate in this project: vocalist / keyboardist / flautist India CzajkowskaFind albums by this artist, electronics wizard Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist Mikolaj TrzaskaFind albums by this artist and author Andrzej StasiukFind albums by this artist, who recites some of his texts. The album presents sixteen short tracks, all composed by the leader. This album is a second part of the album “WavesFind albums with this title”, recorded by the same participants and sessions and released a year earlier on the Requiem label. The album is a typical Ambient outing, spiced by some Jazz / Avant-Garde improvised soloing, almost completely lacking any distinct melodic continuity, which of course makes it rather specifically oriented to hard-core Ambient listeners. The invited guests are all excellent musicians of course, but their role here is quite limited, so Jazz listeners looking to hear their favorite artists will be disappointed. Although I usually don’t have enough patience for Ambient music, unless it is used as background for film or theatre, I found this album quite interesting, not only thanks to the improvised parts, which are more or less decorative, rather than substantially integrated, but because it makes sense as an aural experience, engaging the listener to fill in the blanks. Perhaps it is a form of escapism in these trying times, but I listened to the album a couple of times in a row and enjoyed it without reservations. Overall, this is an interesting Ambient album, which should make enthusiasts of the genre quite happy. The Jazzy elements are marginal and limited, buy offer some spicing to the proceedings. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 25/09/2024Posted: 25/09/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SUDNIK / MAJCHRZAK / CZAJKOWSKA ~ TRIANGLE AUDIO CAVE 2022/007 (Barcode: 5908298549513) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2021 - 2022 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Polish Avant-Garde trio, which comprises of electronics performer / composer Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Krzysztof MajchrzakFind albums by this artist and vocalist / pianist / flautist India CzajkowskaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions / performances co-credited to all three members of the trio. The music, or rather improvised soundscapes, were created live during several recording sessions and finally edited into this album. It combines several quite distinct idioms, such as Electronic / Ambient Music, improvised vocalese, almost Funky bass pulsations, and others, which somehow work together splendidly, creating a magical journey in space / time continuum, which inspires the listener to connect the dots rather than suggests specific directions. All three participants, each in his / her specific field, are consistent innovators and pioneers, with impressive achievements under their respective belts. Sudnik (born 1955) created a plethora of brilliant electronic works in his “Studio of Impossible Sounds” and is well remembered for his work with Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, during Stanko’s most experimental period. Majchrzak (born 1954), who lives in Paris, is one of the Godfathers of Polish / European Jazz-Rock Fusion and one of the best electric bassist on the Polish scene. Czajkowska (we don’t disclose Ladies’ age) has been a pioneer of the Polish Avant-Garde Music scene since the break of the new Millennium (and even slightly earlier), with some truly impressive works to her credit. In short this trio is an immense conglomerate of creative powers. Together, they manage to create a tapestry of sounds, which has a coherent flow and effect, even if it eschews conventional perceptions of melody, harmony and rhythm. Although innovative and pioneering, the sound weaving delivers a clear message, which is not abrasive, cacophonic or alienating, which happens with Avant-Garde music way too often. It is a sort of sonic Zen meditation, atmospheric vibration and intellectual love-making, all in one. Overall, this is obviously not for everybody, or even only for very selected audiences, who will find the patience and openness to submit to this music, but at the same time it certainly is one of the most daring, unique and challenging pieces of music the Polish scene produced this year (2022). Kudo to Audio CaveFind albums on this label Records for releasing this obviously non-commercial piece of musical Art, which is highly appreciated. The brave-hearted listeners are in for a real rewarding treat. Thank you for the music, my Friends!

Updated: 05/11/2022Posted: 05/11/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend