Record Reviews

ARTUR MACKOWIAK / GRZEGORZ PLESZYNSKI ~ A SOUND OF THE WOODEN FISH WET MUSIC ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 Polish Avant-Garde guitarist / composer Artur MackowiakFind albums by this artist and multimedia artists Grzegorz PleszynskiFind albums by this artist are associated with the Bydgoszcz based Nowa Sztuka Wet Music Foundation (Mackowiak is one of the founders). The Foundation also operates the Wet MusicFind albums on this label Records, which released several separate and collective recordings by these two artists earlier on. The music was recorded during one "live in the studio" session, with the participation of clarinetist Jerzy MazzollFind albums by this artist, who is featured only on the first part of the album, which comprises of three parts edited out of the entire session. The music is a flow of electronic / ambient sounds, guitar phrases and chords, plastic tube trumpet blowing, human voice reverberations and other weird noises, with Mazzoll´s clarinet mixed in (sadly only in the first part), which normally wouldn´t make any sense whatsoever, but here somehow being able to overcome the chaos and anarchy and come together as a flow, which is best received subconsciously, simply by allowing oneself to get emerged in the music (sound?) without trying to analyze it. The problem with this music, however, emerges in time as there is little if any development on the time scale and the repetition becomes trying in a long range. Therefore when Mazzoll is gone, the rest of the album offers more of the same (or rather less of the same), causing even a trained and patient listener like myself to wander what (or where) is the point in all this? Avant-Garde has a tendency to create self-indulging works, which lose the audience at one point or another. It is extremely difficult to be outrageously innovative and communicative at the same time, and this album fills that purpose only in part. But it definitely has its moments and is worth investigating by the brave-hearted listeners. That said, the will of the artists involved to pursue they own visions and dreams is extremely important and they deserve our respect for doing just that, taking the road less travelled.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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INNERCITY ENSEMBLE ~ KATAHDIN WET MUSIC 04 (Barcode: 5904259353915) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 The Polish Innercity EnsembleFind albums by this artist is one of many experimental music groups, which pop up on the local scene like mushrooms after rain. The incredible beehive of frenzy activity, which encompasses the Polish improvisational music scene is a phenomenon of truly gigantic proportions, and most surprisingly unparalleled by any other country in the world. As usual in such a case, the quality of the music varies significantly, but the exploration and sense of urgency prevail universally. The group is a septet and the musicians come from several different Jazz, Rock and Ambient groups. The most dominant musician is trumpeter Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist, who is a member of the excellent Sing Sing PenelopeFind albums by this artist. Not surprisingly, for those familiar with the Polish Avant-Garde scene, the album was recorded at the Mozg Club in Bydgoszcz, one of the epicenters of the improvisational activity. In addition to Jachna, whose trumpet is the leading voice of the album, the ensemble includes also two guitar players, three percussionists and one person using electronic devices. This unusual lineup dictates the overall musical direction of the proceedings, which basically features ambient and percussive background, with trumpet solos on top. There is limited melodic content and the music develops slowly, if at all, like in a meditative trance. The trumpet solos are, in contrast, quite spectacular. Although potentially interesting the album somehow leaves me cold, except for the trumpet solos. Lovers of Ambient and perhaps World Music originating in Far East will probably enjoy this music, others might enter the meditative mood and float with it, but for me this music simply does not go anywhere. Nevertheless I appreciate the energy and effort that went into making this album.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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