Record Reviews

ANDRZEJ PRZYBIELSKI ~ TREN ZALOBNY MULTIKULTI 017 (Barcode: 5907529223178) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 - 2009 Released: 2011 This is the third posthumous release (in a few months) by the great Polish Avant-Garde trumpeter / composer Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, which is about as many albums as he released under his name during his entire life. This sad statistic once more reminds us that Art should be appreciated preferably while the Artist is still with us rather than when he´s gone. But, "better late than never", which is a solace for the fools, applies nevertheless. This album collects the recordings (both live and studio) Przybielski made with two young musicians: bassist Jacek MazurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel OsickiFind albums by this artist, which were one of his last projects. The music is quite different from the acoustic trio performances with the Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist, as it also includes some electronically generated sound layers, vocal parts (with Przybielski´s distinctive voice) and other effects, which expand the scope significantly. In many respects this is a lesser known side of Przybielski´s activity, although he was involved with many innovative projects his entire life, some of which lied well beyond the Jazz idiom. Of course the music is brilliant and challenging as always in his case and attentive and open-minded listeners should find here an unusual and most rewarding musical experience. The album is an overwhelming proof of Przybielski´s versatility and complete disregard of conventions and limitations, which makes his untimely death even more tragic, as he definitely was one of very few of his class. Modern Avant-Garde Jazz lovers rejoice!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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IGNACY JAN WISNIEWSKI ~ JAZZ SHIRIM WOOD AND MOOD 0001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2016 This is the debut album as a leader by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Ignacy Jan WisniewskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel OsickiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Wisniewski, that were originally created for a theatre production about the Jewish Community in Gdansk before and during the WWII. The Hebrew word "shirim" means songs. The music is an ambitious amalgam of melodic modern mainstream and free form improvisation. The pieces start with a clearly stated melody, followed by much less restrained improvisations, which are also very diverse rhythmically. The compositions are therefore just frameworks that are filled up by the improvised parts. This is definitely a very unusual and bold musical statement, which is also quite listenable in spite of its complexity and sincerity. The trio performs as a very tight unit, responding attentively to each other and complementing each other´s statements. Although there is a lot of space and freedom in this music, the trio members are closely coupled at all times, which produces a wonderful effect of group cohesiveness. Sometimes music created for theatre or cinema has no independent existence, but this music definitely holds the floor on its own, being completely relevant in its minimal form, which of course speaks greatly of its qualities. It does not make any artistic compromises or attempts to be more acceptable and it manages to fascinate and create a lot of tension for the attentive listener, which happens relatively rarely. Overall this is a very impressive debut, and although the music was recorded a while ago, it´s good to see it finally released, as it certainly deserves to be heard. Serious Jazz connoisseurs should enjoy this music in full. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/03/2019Posted: 05/12/2016

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IGNACY JAN WISNIEWSKI ~ KANTATA JAZZOWA WOOD AND MOOD 0011 (Barcode: 5907222681077) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the second album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Ignacy Jan WisniewskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with the same trio he used to record his debut, which includes bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel OsickiFind albums by this artist. In addition the album features also vocalist Kamil DominiakFind albums by this artist. Together they present eight "songs", all composed by Wisniewski to the lyrics written specifically for this project by Polish Poet Michal RusinekFind albums by this artist. The entire song cycle is called a "Jazz Cantata" and of course firmly belongs to the marvelous Polish Jazz & Poetry tradition. The album was beautifully recorded at the now legendary Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist. The music presents an ambitious amalgam of cross-genre modern Jazz, with roots in contemporary Classical music, melodic mainstream Jazz and Avant-Garde improvisation, all tastefully put together with the lyrics, creating an impressive and powerful statement. Wisniewski, who concentrates mainly on composing music for theatre, has definitely a very strong theatrical "streak" as a composer, which comes to full bloom herein. The music is wonderfully executed, both on the instrumental and the vocal layers. Dominiak, who is not a Jazz singer, stands up to the challenge with flying colors, using his vocal abilities and more importantly theatrical expressionism to the max. The piano trio offers some excellent instrumental passages, shifting between melodic / rhythmic statements and Free Improvised moments with grace and elegance. The album offers a perfect balance between the instrumental and vocal contents, without one or the other being dominant, which is a rare quality in such projects. The poetry, which sadly is only accessible to native Polish speakers, is a wonderful example of the thriving contemporary Polish Poetry scene. Rusinek (well-known as the private secretary of the great Polish Poetess Wislawa SzymborskaFind albums by this artist) is an accomplished writer / translator / poet and his brilliant plays on words are a true delight. Overall this is another valuable addition to the Polish Jazz & Poetry legacy, which is being kept alive by the new generation of Polish Jazz composers / musicians, with the same passion and dedication as that of the pioneers of the genre six decades earlier. Definitely highly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 16/03/2019

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