Record Reviews
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  | LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ COPY & INSERT
SOLITON 733 (Barcode: 5901571097336) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is a live album by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quintet setting with American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jerzy MalekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist (Leszek´s son) and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Together they perform six original compositions, all by Leszek Kulakowski. The sound quality of the live recording is excellent.
The music is all within the boundaries of contemporary modern mainstream Jazz, with melody based compositions which serve as basis for the quintet to carry the tunes in orderly manner and present individual solos. Kulakowski is a superb composer and his elegant tunes sound as if they originate from a collection of standards, but in fact are his originals.
The performances are all spotless of course, as expected from these highly experienced and talented musicians. Middleton, who is also an educator, same as Kulakowski, has a wonderful tone and elegant flow, and his solos are a true delight. Malek is also a superb player and his phrasing is full of emotion and skill. Kulakowski is a very original pianist, who plays remarkably not only when soloing but also while accompanying his colleagues. Piotr Kulakowski is one of the best bassists on the crowded Polish Jazz scene and his pulsations are always right on the money. Sowinski is exactly the right drummer for this quintet, pushing the other players during the up-tempo numbers and gently paving the way during the ballads. In short a mainstream A-Team, which delivers nothing but the best.
This album slaughters a few "holy cows", namely: "European musicians can´t swing", "Those who can´t play teach" and other popular misconceptions. Any true Jazz lover listening to this album should be completely satisfied in every respect.
Side Note: Since a few years, every December, Leszek Kulakowski, Andy Middleton and me meet in Katowice to serve as jury members of the International Jazz Composition Competition, held at the local Jazz Academy (together with Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist, the head of the Jazz Department of the Academy and our host, and fantastic trumpeter / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist). Over the years we not only forged a wonderful friendship between ourselves, discussed music and life for endless hours and of course managed to consume many a gallon of beer, vodka and eventually anything that is humanly drinkable. Who says Jazz is not a platform of friendship ;)
| | Updated: 12/01/2018Posted: 12/01/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | METRUM ~ ZIELONY DACH
GAD 070 (Barcode: 5901549197952) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2018
This is an archival album documenting the recordings by the Polish studio ensemble MetrumFind albums by this artist directed by Zbigniew KalembaFind albums by this artist, the founder of the Jazz Institute of the Academy of Music in Katowice. Kalemba invited his best students at the time to play in the ensemble and compose original music and three sessions from 1977 are presented here, almost entirely never previously available in any form. The lineup reads like the who´s who of the Polish Jazz scene and includes such luminaries like guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist (sadly not with us any more) pianist Wojciech GogolewskiFind albums by this artist, flautist Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist (the current director of the Jazz Institute) and many others. The album presents fourteen original compositions, all by the leader and members of the ensemble, recorded at Polish Radio Katowice and offering a spectacular sound quality.
Although on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, this music offers an incredible level of compositional ability, which always characterized Polish Jazz. The execution does not leg behind by an iota and the overall effect of a Jazz Orchestra is simply stunning. There is so much sophistication, European aesthetics and good taste in this music, that one wonders how Popular music degraded in time to the level we experience today.
This album is a classic example of Jazz-Pop Fusion, which proves that accessible Jazz can be ambitious, original, classy and perfectly executed and the stigma associated with playing seemingly simpler material is completely unjustified. It offers numerous perfectly structured solos by the participants and the artistry of arrangement and orchestral sound.
Nobody plays this kind of music any more today and therefore this album is a candle in the window for people who are searching to learn from the past and absorb forgotten ways of musical expression. This music is perfect in every sense and completely timeless and listening to it is joyous experience. GADFind albums on this label Records were again able to uncover treasures form the vaults, for we can only be grateful, as always.
| | Updated: 14/04/2018Posted: 14/04/2018 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JERZY MILIAN ~ BEZ PRZESADY
GAD 085 (Barcode: 5903068120152) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2018
This is the second archival release of previously unissued material recorded by the Entertainment Orchestra of the Polish Radio and TVFind albums by this artist, directed by veteran musician / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. The orchestra was based in Katowice and most of its members were associated with the Music Academy in Katowice, which at that time did not have yet a Jazz department. The orchestra included an instrumental combo, a string section and a vocal group. It performed mostly original compositions by the orchestra members, including those by Milian. Apart from Milian on vibraphone other prominent musicians include also Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist on flute, Piotr PronkoFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Piotr KaluznyFind albums by this artist on keyboards and many more. The album presents fourteen tracks and four bonus tracks, which follows the similar division found on the first album, in preparation for a LP edition of this album, which will include the first fourteen tracks only.
The music is a wide variety of instrumental Jazz oriented pieces, ranging from almost Pop, via Funk, Groove and Jazz, all of them beautifully arranged and performed by the orchestra. At the time these tracks were recorded Milian and the composers writing for the orchestra were interested in the "Philadelphia Sound", which is immediately obvious to a knowledgeable listener. But the Polish spicing, which is added here to the American influence produces a highly effective and more sophisticated kind of funk than the origin.
Although obviously on the lighter side of Jazz, the album presents superbly crafted tunes and arrangements, which lost nothing of their charm over time. The meaning of the word "entertainment" obviously meant something quite different at that time. This specific sound of the orchestra was a unique phenomenon in the history of Polish Jazz and kudos to GADFind albums on this label Records for unearthing this material and bringing it back to life. For people familiar with Polish Jazz discography, this album is a companion to the second album by the orchestra released originally in 1978 by Polskie Nagrania / MuzaFind albums on this label, which features other pieces recorded at the same sessions.
For Polish Jazz enthusiasts and people interested in the Polish Funk of the 1970s this album is an absolute must. But other music lovers, who have no special ties with Polish music, might find this music fascinating nevertheless. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 06/02/2019Posted: 06/02/2019 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JERZY MILIAN ~ PRETEKST
GAD 062 (Barcode: 5901549197846) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion
Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2017
This is an archival release of previously unreleased material recorded by the Entertainment Orchestra of the Polish Radio and TVFind albums by this artist, directed by veteran musician / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. The orchestra was based in Katowice and most of its members were associated with the Music Academy in Katowice, which at that time did not have yet a Jazz department. The orchestra included an instrumental combo, a string section and a vocal group. It performed mostly original compositions by the orchestra members, including those by Milian. Apart from Milian on vibraphone other prominent musicians include also Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist on flute, brothers: Piotr PronkoFind albums by this artist on saxophone and Wojciech PronkoFind albums by this artist on bass, Piotr KaluznyFind albums by this artist on keyboards and many more. The album presents fourteen tracks on both the CD and LP version of this album and four bonus tracks are present on the CD edition only.
The music is a wide variety of instrumental Jazz oriented pieces, ranging from almost Pop, via Funk, Groove and Jazz, all of them beautifully arranged and performed by the orchestra. Although obviously on the lighter side of Jazz, the album presents superbly crafted tunes and arrangements, which lost nothing of their charm over time. The meaning of the word "entertainment" obviously meant something quite different at that time. This specific sound of the orchestra was a unique phenomenon in the history of Polish Jazz and kudos to GADFind albums on this label Records for unearthing this material and bringing it back to life. For people familiar with Polish Jazz discography, this album is a companion to the album released originally in 1975 by Polskie Nagrania / MuzaFind albums on this label, which features other pieces recorded at the same sessions.
For Polish Jazz enthusiasts and people interested in the Polish Funk of the 1970s this album is an absolute must. But other music lovers, who have no special ties with Polish music, might find this music fascinating nevertheless. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: 27/01/2018 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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