Record Reviews

BASZTA ~ BASZTA (SWINGING TRICITY VOL.1) SOLITON 074 (Barcode: 5901549899740) ~ POLAND ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1978 Released: 2011 This is the first installment in the excellent archival series documenting Polish Jazz created in the country´s Tricity on the Baltic Sea, one of the important centers where Polish Jazz thrives and over the years produced numerous first-rate musicians and superb bands. The series presents material, which in most cases never previously appeared in any form and therefore is of immense historic importance. This chapter presents the BasztaFind albums by this artist ensemble, a Jazz-Rock Fusion / Funk outfit, which was very popular locally as it held the position of the house band at the local student club. The group was founded in 1976 and existed for about five years until the late 1970s, and unfortunately never managed to record even one album, which sadly was the fate of many Polish Jazz artists during the Socialist regime. However they did record for the Tricity Polish Radio station in Gdansk, where about half of the material included on this album comes from, the other half being live recordings from the student club, which was their residence. Baszta was one of few Polish Jazz ensembles playing Brass Rock, i.e. horns oriented Jazz-Rock Fusion, similar to Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, ChaseFind albums by this artist and many other ensembles representing this particular sub-genre. It was founded by trumpeter Edward KolczynskiFind albums by this artist and over the years featured the following musicians present on this album: guitarist Leszek DranickiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Jerzy GlowczewskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew KedzierskiFind albums by this artist, trombonists Adam OchockiFind albums by this artist and Stanislaw SucheckiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lech WosFind albums by this artist, bassist Aleksander SliwaFind albums by this artist, drummer Jan RuckiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Piotr SapiejaFind albums by this artist. The group performed both their original compositions, mostly by Kolczynski and some by Wos, which were first-rate, as well as their arrangements of Jazz, Rock and Pop standards, which were quite witty and intelligent. The radio recordings have excellent sonic quality, but the live recordings are somewhat low-hi, but still definitely worth listening to. The overall level of performances is superb, except for a few vocal tracks (among the live tracks), which is less appealing. This is another great piece of Polish Jazz history, which should definitely be told and preserved as part of the country´s Cultural Heritage. Kudos to Marcin JacobsonFind albums by this artist for creating this series and keeping it going!

Updated: 17/04/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LESZEK DRANICKI ~ LESZEK DRANICKI (SWINGING TRICITY VOL.5) NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1986 - 1989 Released: 2013 This is the fifth installment in the excellent archival series documenting Polish Jazz created in the country´s Tricity on the Baltic Sea, one of the important centers where Polish Jazz thrives and over the years produced numerous first-rate musicians and superb bands. The series presents material, which in most cases never previously appeared in any form and therefore is of immense historic importance. This chapter presents the vocalist / guitarist Leszek DranickiFind albums by this artist, who was a member of the Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble BasztaFind albums by this artist, which is also documented in this series, and later played in several other groups (including the legendary KrzakFind albums by this artist) and recorded as a leader. This album is an expanded reissue of his debut solo album "With A Little Help…Find albums with this title", originally released by Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label, with six bonus tracks recorded later at radio sessions. The music consists all of Jazz, Blues and Pop standards, which Dranicki sings (in English) and plays guitar on. Although some of the arrangements are pretty nice, the overall effect is far from spectacular. As usual the attempt to sing in English simply falls apart and spoils the pleasure of the instrumental work, which is better by far. Dranicki is a good guitar player with a Bluesy feel and splendid technical efficiency. The two bonus tracks recorded with bassist Andrzej CudzichFind albums by this artist and drummer Eryk KulmFind albums by this artist are the most impressive and the last two solo tracks are the weakest. The problem with this album is that is completely lacks any originality and shows how some of the musicians behind the Iron Curtain wanted to copy what was happening elsewhere, rather than create some new facets in their musical explorations. Of course this material is still worthy, especially as part of an archival series. This is another great piece of Polish Jazz history, which should definitely be told and preserved as part of the country´s Cultural Heritage. Kudos to Marcin JacobsonFind albums by this artist for creating this series and keeping it going!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend