Record Reviews

BIG BAND KATOWICE ~ MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS (POLISH JAZZ VOL.52) MUZA 1052 (Barcode: 5907783420528) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2007 Katowice, the Capital of Upper Silesia - Poland´s industrial region, was very important to the development of the Polish Jazz scene due to the fact that the local Music Academy was the first and for many years the only higher educational facility teaching a Jazz programme which awarded a degree in Music. The highly dedicated faculty and stuff directed generation after generation of young Polish musicians towards a career in Jazz music and in time the majority of the local Jazz scene was indeed a collection of the Katowice Music Academy alumni, the names of which are simply too numerous to mention. This phenomenon emphasizes the crucial importance of music education and its contribution to Culture. This album presents a Jazz Big Band led by trumpeter / composer Zbigniew KalembaFind albums by this artist and comprising of the students of the Katowice Music Academy and guest soloists, some of which were ex-students, such as guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist, pianist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist and many others. They perform eight compositions, five of which are originals and three standards, all beautifully arranged and passionately performed. The majority of the music has a distinct Jazz-Rock Fusion feel, which is not surprising as the genre ruled the local scene in the late 1970s. Since the Polish Jazz series includes only a handful of Big Band recordings, this is a most valuable addition to the overall presentation of the Polish Jazz scene. Warmly recommended!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

METRUM ~ ZIELONY DACH GAD 070 (Barcode: 5901549197952) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2018 This is an archival album documenting the recordings by the Polish studio ensemble MetrumFind albums by this artist directed by Zbigniew KalembaFind albums by this artist, the founder of the Jazz Institute of the Academy of Music in Katowice. Kalemba invited his best students at the time to play in the ensemble and compose original music and three sessions from 1977 are presented here, almost entirely never previously available in any form. The lineup reads like the who´s who of the Polish Jazz scene and includes such luminaries like guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist (sadly not with us any more) pianist Wojciech GogolewskiFind albums by this artist, flautist Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist (the current director of the Jazz Institute) and many others. The album presents fourteen original compositions, all by the leader and members of the ensemble, recorded at Polish Radio Katowice and offering a spectacular sound quality. Although on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, this music offers an incredible level of compositional ability, which always characterized Polish Jazz. The execution does not leg behind by an iota and the overall effect of a Jazz Orchestra is simply stunning. There is so much sophistication, European aesthetics and good taste in this music, that one wonders how Popular music degraded in time to the level we experience today. This album is a classic example of Jazz-Pop Fusion, which proves that accessible Jazz can be ambitious, original, classy and perfectly executed and the stigma associated with playing seemingly simpler material is completely unjustified. It offers numerous perfectly structured solos by the participants and the artistry of arrangement and orchestral sound. Nobody plays this kind of music any more today and therefore this album is a candle in the window for people who are searching to learn from the past and absorb forgotten ways of musical expression. This music is perfect in every sense and completely timeless and listening to it is joyous experience. GADFind albums on this label Records were again able to uncover treasures form the vaults, for we can only be grateful, as always.

Updated: 14/04/2018Posted: 14/04/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend