Record Reviews

OSNIALOWSKI / ESDEN / GRALA ~ POZA CZASEM NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Sung Poetry Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 3rd album by Polish vocalist / composer Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist, and her second cooperation with keyboardist / composer Bogumil GralaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, eleven of which feature lyrics by poet Marian OsnialowskiFind albums by this artist and one is an instrumental. All the compositions are co-credited to Esden and Grala, except one track, which is by Esden. The music completely defies categorization, which seems to be the usual modus operandi with Esden, who seems to have no problem with shunning any conventionality. In addition to her vocals / recitation, she uses electronics and plays the glass harp. Grala plays mostly acoustic piano, which creates an interesting contrast to the rather eerie effects used by Esden. There is an obvious melodic coherence, which tends to be mostly within typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, but combined with the texts and additional sound effects, the overall atmosphere is rather uncanny / mysterious, fitting perfectly the lyrics. Of course the focus here is on the poetry by Osnialowski, who is sadly very little known in his homeland. He tragically took his own life in Paris, where he lived after leaving Poland, with no possibility to return, being refused entry by the Socialist regime. He is considered as one of the Polish “Cursed Poets” (Poètes Maudits) and surely deserves more exposure. Overall, this is a highly interesting album, which pays tribute to a forgotten Polish poet, who deserves a wider recognition. It is challenging musically and aesthetically, but is definitely worth the effort required in order to absorb its full meaning. As usual in such cases I raise my hat in honor of the intellectual courage and nonconformity.

Updated: 16/12/2024Posted: 16/12/2024

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