Record Reviews

SABINA MECK ~ TESKNI DZIOUCHA DO SYNECZKA: SONGS OF THE SILESIAN UPRISINGS CAMERATA SILESIA 02 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is the 4th album by Polish Jazz singer / songwriter Sabina MeckFind albums by this artist. She is accompanied by pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Patryk PeterssonFind albums by this artist and percussionist Patryk ZakrzewskiFind albums by this artist and the Katowice City Singers’ Ensemble Camerata SilesiaFind albums by this artist, conducted by Anna SzostakFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, eleven of which are folk songs and two are original songs written by Meck especially for the album. Meck also arranged all the music. The album is a commendable memorial to the dramatic events in the history of Silesia between the two Great Wars, where Silesia was divided between Poland and Germany, and the Silesian People went through an internal cultural / national dichotomy. Three uprisings (1919-1921) by Polish Silesians, who wanted their land to be annexed to Poland, which they considered to be their homeland, were brutally put down by the German army. Silesia was reunited only after the WW II, in 1945, when it became a part of Poland. Since I was born in Silesia, the memory of these uprisings was always present as part of my childhood, but strangely and sadly this part of Polish history is almost completely absent in contemporary Polish historical / cultural landscape. Needless to say I am familiar with these songs in their original versions, and I am deeply grateful to see this album created. The album brings songs, which are now about a hundred years old, to a more contemporary environment, with just a little touch of Jazz and modern choral music, emphasizing their natural beauty and everlasting values. The instrumental arrangements are delicate and non-intrusive, but perfectly fit the atmosphere and expand the music, bringing it forward to current milieu. The vocal performances, both by the vocal ensemble, the soloists and Meck herself, are all impeccable and truly heartfelt. The arrangements skillfully make proper openings for all the elements, which fit together perfectly. This is definitely a very skillfully put together project, which emphasizes Meck’s maturity and talent. Overall, this is a very unique album, which demands attentive listening and open-mindedness, as it presents seemingly simple Folk songs with a considerable depth and complexity, which creates a moving piece of music, far beyond initial expectations. Well done, everybody!

Updated: 16/05/2025Posted: 16/05/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend