Record Reviews

DRUM FREAKS ~ SMYRNA MILO 106 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This is the second album by Polish ensemble Drum FreaksFind albums by this artist founded and led by Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist, a multi-instrumentalist / composer of Greek origin living in Poland. Kurtis is a prominent figure on the local scene, having been involved with many legendary local groups, like OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), MaanamFind albums by this artist and others. A versatile musician and a charismatic personality, Kurtis performed in such diverse musical fields as Folklore, World Music, Reggae and Free Jazz. On this album the lineup includes, apart from the leader, guitarist Janusz Yanina IwanskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Piotr IwickiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joannis KurtisFind albums by this artist. Ex-JamiroquaiFind albums by this artist player Wallis BuchananFind albums by this artist appears as a guest playing didgeridoo. The album includes eight original compositions by the leader and other members of the band, including Buchanan, all of which were recorded live at the St. John´s Church in the Northern port city of Gdansk. The music is an amalgam of melodic World Music from many different sources, but most significantly from the Mediterranean, ornamented by improvised Jazz oriented solos. As far as the Polish scene is concerned, this is definitely an unusual phenomenon, although Kurtis was involved in somewhat similar projects earlier, albeit in more meditative and experimental form. The overall atmosphere is serene and even lyrical at times, but successfully maintains an element of development and interest, unlike many similar projects, which quickly cross over into mediocre Muzak. Kurtis, who is a deeply spiritual person (I had the pleasure to meet him during my production of "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title" album in which he took part), manages skillfully to avoid the populism often involved with Western musicians performing World Music originating from non-Western sources. The music herein offers an opportunity to the musician to cooperate rather than compete, with little show-off and modern-times rush into the unknown. As Kurtis himself describes it, this is "early morning" music, which sounds best before out minds get clotted by the infernal noise that surrounds us all in today´s world. For me it also sounds great late at night, when I try to wash out (mentally at least) the day´s pressures. But I suppose that every listener will be able to find a proper moment for this music, as suitable to their souls. Listeners, who like Jazz-World Fusion excursions, should definitely try this album out as soon as possible, as it is one of the nicest pieces of that type that I happened to stumble upon. Considering that many Jazz-World Fusion albums are quite kitschy, this one is a gem!

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OSSIAN ~ KSIEGA CHMUR MILO 110 (Barcode: 5907513047247) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 2006 3rd album by the great Polish Prog group OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first East European groups to embrace World Music influences and incorporate them into their highly improvised music. Founded in 1971 by multi-instrumentalists Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist (flutes and percussion) and Tomasz HolujFind albums by this artist (tabla and percussion), the band was later expanded to include Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist (trombita and percussion, who is of Greek origin), creating some of the most adventurous and mind-blowing music, which of course at the time was truly pioneering and eons before its time. Later incarnations of the group were further expended to include additional musicians. The group´s music consists of long (usually well over 10 minutes) contemplative and largely improvised pieces, performed solely on acoustic instruments. Deeply emotional and drawing its inspiration from the Far East, Middle East, India and Polish Folklore, this is definitely one of the most wonderfully strange musical experiences one can get exposed to. This album was recorded with a quintet lineup with the addition of violinist Zygmunt KaczmarskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Radoslaw NowakowskiFind albums by this artist, as well as several guest musicians, including the great Polish Jazz bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist, and is definitely the most consistent and coherent recording the group ever made, with the entire album dedicated to a five-piece suite which gives the album its title. A must to all brave-hearted music lovers!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OSSIAN ~ OSSIAN MILO 111 (Barcode: 5907513047254) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006 1st album by the great Polish Prog group OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first East European groups to embrace World Music influences and incorporate them into their highly improvised music. Founded in 1971 by multi-instrumentalists Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist (flutes and percussion) and Tomasz HolujFind albums by this artist (tabla and percussion), the band was later expanded to include Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist (trombita and percussion, who is of Greek origin), creating some of the most adventurous and mind-blowing music, which of course at the time was truly pioneering and eons before its time. Later incarnations of the group were further expended to include additional musicians. The group´s music consists of long (usually well over 10 minutes) contemplative and largely improvised pieces, performed solely on acoustic instruments. Deeply emotional and drawing its inspiration from the Far East, Middle East, India and Polish Folklore, this is definitely one of the most wonderfully strange musical experiences one can get exposed to. This debut album was recorded before Kurtis joined the band and features guitarist Marek JackowskiFind albums by this artist. By the time of this recording the group had already years of experience playing together live, which is apparent from the incredible level of the interplay between the musicians. A must to all brave-hearted music lovers!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OSSIAN ~ OSSIAN (FEATURING TOMASZ STANKO) MILO 109 (Barcode: 5907513047223) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1978 Released: 2006 2nd album by the great Polish Prog group OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first East European groups to embrace World Music influences and incorporate them into their highly improvised music. Founded in 1971 by multi-instrumentalists Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist (flutes and percussion) and Tomasz HolujFind albums by this artist (tabla and percussion), the band was later expanded to include Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist (trombita and percussion, who is of Greek origin), creating some of the most adventurous and mind-blowing music, which of course at the time was truly pioneering and eons before its time. Later incarnations of the group were further expended to include additional musicians. The group´s music consists of long (usually well over 10 minutes) contemplative and largely improvised pieces, performed solely on acoustic instruments. Deeply emotional and drawing its inspiration from the Far East, Middle East, India and Polish Folklore, this is definitely one of the most wonderfully strange musical experiences one can get exposed to. This album was recorded with the trio including Kurtis and features the great Polish Jazz trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (who plays on side B of the original LP), who invited the group to record an impromptu session for the Polish Radio, sharing with them his love of improvisation and mysterious music. A must to all brave-hearted music lovers!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OSSIAN ~ ROOTS MILO 101 ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2005 4th album by the great Polish Prog group OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first East European groups to embrace World Music influences and incorporate them into their highly improvised music. Founded in 1971 by multi-instrumentalists Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist (flutes and percussion) and Tomasz HolujFind albums by this artist (tabla and percussion), the band was later expanded to include Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist (trombita and percussion, who is of Greek origin), creating some of the most adventurous and mind-blowing music, which of course at the time was truly pioneering and eons before its time. Later incarnations of the group were further expended to include additional musicians. The group´s music consists of long (usually well over 10 minutes) contemplative and largely improvised pieces, performed solely on acoustic instruments. Deeply emotional and drawing its inspiration from the Far East, Middle East, India and Polish Folklore, this is definitely one of the most wonderfully strange musical experiences one can get exposed to. This album was recorded with a quartet lineup with guitarist Wojciech WaglewskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Radoslaw NowakowskiFind albums by this artist (who replaced Holuj), and is definitely one of the most consistent and coherent recordings the group ever made, with the entire album dedicated to two extended improvised pieces. A must to all brave-hearted music lovers!

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend