Record Reviews

KASIA STANKOWSKA ~ NIE MA SZCZESCIA BEZ MILOSCI ARTMONIA 5902768831009 (Barcode: 5902768831009) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 Polish pianist / composer Wladyslaw SzpilmanFind albums by this artist was one of the great icons of the country´s musical scene for many decades. He achieved popularity already as a very young and exceptional pianist in the 1930s. During the Nazi occupation of Poland during WW II Szpilman, who was a Jew, was hiding in Warsaw and managed to survive the Holocaust, helped by his Polish friends and even a German officer, who was a music connoisseur. Szpilman´s WW II fortunes were the subject of his memoirs and after his death in 2000 it was the subject of Roman PolanskiFind albums by this artist´s movie "The Pianist", which won three Oscars and worldwide acceptance as a cinematic masterpiece. The lesser know facts about Szpilman, certainly outside of Poland, are his numerous activities in post-war years as the director of Music Department of the Polish Radio, creator of the Sopot Song Contest, which runs now consecutively for over fifty years, composer of many Classical works, concert pianist touring worldwide and additionally also author of hundreds of songs, many of which were extremely popular and eventually became evergreens. This album by Polish Jazz vocalist Kasia StankowskaFind albums by this artist takes twelve of Szpilman´s popular songs and presents them in Jazzed up versions. She is supported by a trio with pianist Lukasz PerekFind albums by this artist, who is also responsible for the arrangements, bassist Jakub OlejnikFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist is the guest star and contributes some spectacular solos on several of the songs. Stankowska has a warm and expressive voice, which suits these songs ideally. The piano trio accompanying her does a perfect job, creating a nostalgic atmosphere of a smoky cabaret set sometime in the late 1950s / early 1960s, which I still recall from my childhood, when I was often smuggled under heavy long coat into these sinful establishments, getting my first-hand Jazz experiences. The piano parts are brilliantly arranged and perfectly executed and the rhythm section keeps the music steady and firm, with delicate dynamics and intelligent accents, always at the right moments. Sikala adds great ornamentation, breaking the nostalgic and relaxed mood with his delicate yet forceful solos, which shine like white pearls on a black dress. Szpilman´s status allowed him to select superb lyrics to his songs, written by famous Polish poets and lyricist, that are classy, coherent and elegant, and Stankowska makes the best of that asset, which deserves a special mention. All in all this is a most pleasant and rewarding musical experience, a classic example of "less is more". Keeping a low profile and avoiding excessive experimentation proves exactly right in this case. Beautifully simple, but not simplistic, beautifully melodic, but nor trivial, beautifully lyrical, but not banal…just beautiful. Diana KrallFind albums by this artist, eat you hat!

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KRZYSZTOF ZESLAWSKI / NATALIA LUBRANO ~ OSIECKA JAZZOWO MTJ 11735 (Barcode: 5906409117354) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a Jazzy tribute to the iconic Polish poetess / lyricist Agnieszka OsieckaFind albums by this artist, who authored texts to countless Polish songs over many years, many of them ageless evergreens. A collection of thirteen songs which feature Osiecka´s lyrics is performed here by a quartet led by guitarist Krzysztof ZeslawskiFind albums by this artist which also includes keyboardist Lukasz PerekFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech BerganderFind albums by this artist and drummers Michal LasotaFind albums by this artist or Jaroslaw KorzonekFind albums by this artist. The vocals are performed by Natalia Lubrano. The songs were composed by some of the top Polish songwriters. The arrangements are all within very narrow swinging mainstream, only marginally Jazz related. The instrumental work is very solid, but not extraordinary, which is understandable in these limiting circumstances. There are a few guitar and keyboards solo spots, but nothing extraordinary. The vocal performances, which are supposed to be the focus of this album, are adequate, but not really exciting, which is a great pity. These are all brilliant songs and on this album they lose most of their luster and elegance, becoming sort of trivial. Overall this is a missed opportunity with good intentions but not so great end result. Of course this music can be enjoyed by many Polish fans of popular music, but Jazz fans will find this album lacking spark and purpose.

Updated: 06/02/2017Posted: 06/02/2017

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