Record Reviews

TOMASZ STANKO ~ BALLADYNA ECM 1071 (Barcode: 602517775978) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2008 This is a debut recording on the ECMFind albums on this label label by legendary Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, one of the great Lions of European Jazz, now in his fifth decade of the tireless journey dedicated to discovering uncharted territory, and the first album by any Polish artist on that label. Stanko´s association with ECM continues now into its fourth decade. The music, recorded by an international quartet, which features also the great Polish saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, British bass Giant Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and Finnish Master-drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist, is one of the greatest recording of modern European Jazz in the 1970s. Stanko, who was a member of the first Polish modern Jazz group, led by his Mentor pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, continued the tradition of cooperating with players from other European countries, whenever possible at those troubled times. His cooperation with Szukalski and Vesala continued for several years and they recorded several albums together, including the phenomenal "TwetFind albums with this title", recorded a year before this album, with bassist Peter WarrenFind albums by this artist in place of Holland. The music is mostly oriented towards Free Jazz, but Stanko´s intrinsic sense of melody and immense lyricism overpowers the free form and becomes the leading force, pushing the music effortlessly and magically into a mystic plane, full of sounds and intermitting silences, which create a gentle, deeply emotional vistas. The interplay between all the quartet members is simply incredible and the resulting music sounds as if created by one collective body and mind. This is undoubtedly on the finest moments of Jazz ever recorded and an essential piece of music, timeless and everlasting! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice I definitely agree with Adam`s "essential" label on this one. But look out for Stanko`s "From the Green Hill" with John Surman and others - even better IMHO

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend

TOMASZ STANKO ~ BALLADYNA – THEATER PLAY COMPOSITIONS GOWI 16 (Barcode: 786497093526) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994 This little-known album by Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist contains the music he wrote for the theatre performance of the tragedy "Balladyna" written by Polish playwright Juliusz SlowackiFind albums by this artist. Not to be confused with Stanko´s pivotal album also entitled "BalladynaFind albums with this title", recorded almost two decades earlier and released on ECMFind albums on this label. The album presents the complete theatre soundtrack for the play, consisting of 23 tracks ranging in length between half a minute to over five minutes. The central theme is repeated many times in different renditions, arrangements, tempi and instrumentations, creating a beautiful and often chilling atmosphere. The music stands on it´s own as a completely valid piece of music, which can be enjoyed separately from the theatre performance it was intended for. The performers include Stanko´s quartet members: pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, as well as saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, vocalist Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist and percussionists Piotr WolskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew BrysiakFind albums by this artist. In retrospect this is an important piece of Stanko´s recorded legacy, similarly to his other soundtrack compositions, which show his rare ability to write wonderful atmospheric music. This is a must to all Stanko connoisseurs, although deleted since many years with (so far) no prospects for a reissue.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend