Record Reviews
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  | ZOFIA ESDEN ~ ACCIDENTAL SAMPLING
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023
This is the debut solo album by Polish vocalist Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist, who utilizes electronics, synthesizers, loops and other devices in addition to her vocals. Several guest musicians take part in the recording, most notably bassist Jacek MazurkiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, some composed or co-composed by Esden and the rest being her interpretations of songs by others.
Although featuring vocals, the music is mostly generated by electronic instruments and devices, and almost completely non-melodic in the conventional sense. It mostly escapes any attempt to be precisely categorized, which of course is completely legit. Like most Ambient music, it is totally dependent on the listener’s state of mind at any given moment. Even as far as Ambient it is pretty Avant-Gardist, certainly eschewing any conventional approaches.
It is certainly a courageous statement by an Artist, who knows exactly what she wants, disregarding trends and fashions, which is certainly not something one finds around too often. Avant-Garde is not meant to be obvious, and as such it is up to the listener to make up his mind how much he can communicate with this music.
Overall, as all experimental music, it is not for everybody and can be controversial, but with some open-mindedness and tolerance it can be interesting and challenging. Definitely worth investigating by listeners willing to step beyond the obvious.
| | Updated: 18/12/2023Posted: 18/12/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | OSNIALOWSKI / ESDEN / GRALA ~ POZA CZASEM
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Sung Poetry
Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024
This is the 3rd album by Polish vocalist / composer Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist, and her second cooperation with keyboardist / composer Bogumil GralaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, eleven of which feature lyrics by poet Marian OsnialowskiFind albums by this artist and one is an instrumental. All the compositions are co-credited to Esden and Grala, except one track, which is by Esden.
The music completely defies categorization, which seems to be the usual modus operandi with Esden, who seems to have no problem with shunning any conventionality. In addition to her vocals / recitation, she uses electronics and plays the glass harp. Grala plays mostly acoustic piano, which creates an interesting contrast to the rather eerie effects used by Esden. There is an obvious melodic coherence, which tends to be mostly within typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, but combined with the texts and additional sound effects, the overall atmosphere is rather uncanny / mysterious, fitting perfectly the lyrics.
Of course the focus here is on the poetry by Osnialowski, who is sadly very little known in his homeland. He tragically took his own life in Paris, where he lived after leaving Poland, with no possibility to return, being refused entry by the Socialist regime. He is considered as one of the Polish “Cursed Poets” (Poètes Maudits) and surely deserves more exposure.
Overall, this is a highly interesting album, which pays tribute to a forgotten Polish poet, who deserves a wider recognition. It is challenging musically and aesthetically, but is definitely worth the effort required in order to absorb its full meaning. As usual in such cases I raise my hat in honor of the intellectual courage and nonconformity.
| | Updated: 16/12/2024Posted: 16/12/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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