Record Reviews
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  | EXTRA BALL ~ AQUARIUM LIVE NO.3
POLJAZZ / ANEX 305 (Barcode: 5907513047605) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009
Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Extra BallFind albums by this artist was the best and most dominant ensemble on the local scene in the late 1970s. Founded by the best young Polish Jazz musicians at the time, members of the second generation of the country´s splendid tradition, they displayed an amazing level of individual talents both as players and composers. Led by guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, the initial incarnation of the band also included saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jan CichyFind albums by this artist and drummer Benedykt RadeckiFind albums by this artist. These live performances are the last recording by the original lineup, except for drummer Marek StachFind albums by this artist, who replaced Radecki. Recorded live at the Warsaw Aquarium Jazz club, this is an amazing performance with a band at their highest peak, but torn internally as to the musical direction, which led to their demise soon after, with Sendecki and Olejniczak forming Sun ShipFind albums by this artist. The inclusion of two Jazz standards clearly points out the tendency of some band members to return to the more traditional Jazz forms rather that continue the Fusion path. Smietana´s superb guitar licks will amaze every Fusion fan, who was never exposed to his performances and Sendecki´s keyboard wizardry is simply astounding. This is an excellent album, which all Fusion lovers on this planet should be proud to have in their collections. An absolute must!
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  | OLEJNICZAK / SENDECKI EUROPEAN QUARTET ~ BIRTHDAY LIVE #2
BLUE NOTE ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
This is a live recording at the Blue Note Poznan Jazz club, celebrating the club´s fourteenth Anniversary, by a wonderful quartet led by two extraordinary Polish Jazz heroes: saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist and pianist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, with French bassist Laurent VernereyFind albums by this artist and British drummer Mark MondesirFind albums by this artist. Olejniczak and Sendecki share some of the glory days of the Polish Jazz in the 1970s, when they were both members of the legendary Extra BallFind albums by this artist ensemble and founders of the no less legendary Sun ShipFind albums by this artist ensemble. Both living now outside of Poland (Olejniczak in Spain and Sendecki in Germany) they are still an integral part of the Polish Jazz phenomenon, as this album proves beyond any doubt. The album includes seven pieces, two each by Olejniczak, Sendecki and Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and the remaining one being a folk tune arranged by Sendecki.
The members of this quartet are some of the finest European Jazz musicians and the resulting album is simply exceptional in every respect. The music is all excellent from start to finish, modern full-fledged and highly spirited Jazz with numerous superb solo spots and an exceptional live ambience, which happens only rarely. It is obvious that everybody had a wonderful time and the musicians are simply giving everything they have, sharing, supporting and challenging each other constantly in perfect harmony and with telepathic thoughtfulness. Although the two soloists are naturally in the center of attention, one must immediately recognize the incredible role of the outstanding rhythm section, which stands shoulder to shoulder with the soloists at all times.
The saxophone and piano solos are all sensational and there is no exaggeration whatsoever in that statement. In many respects these performances are absolute classics, which should be taught at music schools as examples of what real Jazz is all about, especially European Jazz, as this is, again in many respects, a revelation of the European elegance and sophistication that makes all the difference. This music is completely devoid of ego trips and attempts to prove who can play faster or louder or prettier, it is simply a perfect teamwork, which is always the ground upon great Jazz music is firmly based.
The last tune on the album is dedicated to the memory of the great Polish Jazz bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist, who was not only a friend of the Polish musicians but also a dear personal friend of mine and whose tragic and premature death left a scar in the hearts of all of us.
There is not much more that needs to be said here, except for Gracias, Danke, Merci, Thanks and of course Dziekuje to all the people involved for this heartbreakingly beautiful music.
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  | ANDRZEJ OLEJNICZAK / APERTUS STRING QUARTET ~ DIFFERENT CHOICE
QUADRANT 00022 (Barcode: 4040824081706) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
Veteran Polish saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, who was a member of such legendary ensembles as Extra BallFind albums by this artist, Sun ShipFind albums by this artist and String ConnectionFind albums by this artist, left Poland in the mid 1980s and disappeared completely from the local scene for many years. He continued his career as a musician and educator in Spain, which is quite successful and fruitful. The idea to record an album featuring the saxophone playing with a string quartet and improvising to its accompaniment fascinated Olejniczak for many years and was finally realized in 2010, when this album was recorded in Poland with the Polish Apertus String QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music was mostly composed and arranged by the great Polish violinist / composer Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist, the leader of String Connection, with Olejniczak contributing three compositions and two additional compositions being by other composers. The overall concept is to create a synthesis between Jazz and contemporary Classical music, with Olejniczak, who plays tenor and soprano saxophones, improvising at length over a pre-arranged background performed by the string quartet. This is definitely "serious" music, which has absolutely nothing to do with the popular sax & strings muzak, a music which requires attentive listening and quite an intellectual effort to follow. Olejniczak is a very experienced improviser and his tangled and convoluted solos are often challenging, and with the complex layers of the music played by the strings the total musical experience might easily prove a bit too much for a casual listener. Serious music connoisseurs however, should be able to enjoy this music profoundly. It does require several listening sessions, but the effort is definitely worth it. Such musical journeys are rare and Olejniczak (and Debski, who is definitely a major force behind this music) deserves praise and respect for pulling it through and making "different choices" indeed. It won´t probably prove to be a very "popular" album, but this is exactly the reason why such music should be made, especially at a time when Artistry is fighting for its very existence. Wholeheartedly recommended!
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  | WLADYSLAW SENDECKI ~ PIANO
PROVOCATEUR 1039 (Barcode: 5038491103929) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007
Polish pianist / composer Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist is one of the finest representatives of European Jazz. As a child prodigy he started his classical studies at the age of 11 and performances at the age of 15. Once he discovered Jazz, his passion for music concentrated in this field and he became involved with the Polish Jazz scene, playing piano in famous Polish groups like Extra BallFind albums by this artist and Sun ShipFind albums by this artist, both of which pioneered the Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion movement. In 1981 Sendecki left Poland (as did many gifted musicians at the time) first to Sweden and later settled in Switzerland. In 1990 he moved to Germany (Hamburg) and took the resident piano chair with the excellent NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist. He played with other Polish expatriates (Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist, Bronislaw SuchanekFind albums by this artist and Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist) in the Polski Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which also visited Israel by my invitation. This beautiful piano solo album was recorded 20 years after his last recording as a leader and is a most welcome return and a great opportunity for new listeners to get exposed to his great talent. He composed most of the music, including the three parts suite dedicated to painter Marc Chagall and the Art of painting. Three pieces by other composers are also included, reflecting his love of music by other talented composers. The album is an absolutely stunning piece of music, performed with virtuosity and deep musical sensitivity. Sendecki keeps his brilliant technique “in check”, not letting it overshadow his delicate and impressive improvisational exploits. For well-trained listeners, the Polish musical tradition, especially the piano legacy of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, is quite evident (Chopin’s romanticism and soul-searching qualities influence all Polish piano players to this very day). The music flows beautifully from one piece to another and for me it was all over much too soon, which means it will be played again many a time. The sound quality of the album is (not surprisingly) excellent, as all the other recordings on the ProvocateurFind albums on this label label. Piano lovers, Jazz lovers or just plain music enthusiasts should find plenty of content here and even if the Artist’s name is completely unfamiliar to them, it is absolutely worth investigating. I for one am proud to have such a superb musician for a friend. Hopefully we won’t have to wait for 20 years to enjoy another album of his.
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  | SUN SHIP ~ AQUARIUM LIVE NO.5
POLJAZZ / ANEX 303 (Barcode: 5907513047582) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009
Excellent live recording in the legendary Warsaw Jazz club "Aquarium" by the Polish Jazz quartet Sun ShipFind albums by this artist, formed by keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist following his departure from the great Fusion band Extra BallFind albums by this artist, which he also co-founded some years earlier. Sendecki, as well as his three companions: saxophonist Zbigniew JaremkoFind albums by this artist, bassist Witold SzczurekFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek StachFind albums by this artist are all representatives of the second generation of the Polish Jazz scene, well educated and experienced musicians, who grew up in the shadow of their mentors like Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and others, carrying the great tradition of Polish Jazz further into the future. Somewhat tired of playing Fusion, which was the predominant style of the early 1970s, Sun Ship returns to modern Jazz based on solid melodic compositions and improvisational skill of the band members. The use of synthesizers in addition to the acoustic piano is the only "leftover" from the Fusion days, and most of the music is acoustic. Sendecki´s keyboard wizardry is plainly obvious and his fluid technique and great sense of melody are truly exquisite. Brilliant stuff!
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