Record Reviews
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  | KAMIL ABT ~ WARIATKA
BMS 198500029666 (Barcode: 198500029666) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024
This is an album by Polish / Australian Jazz guitarist Kamil AbtFind albums by this artist, recorded with vocalist Katarzyna MirowskaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Piotr SzwecFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Andrzej MichalakFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemek MichalakFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are songs with lyrics by Teresa Podemska-AbtFind albums by this artist (Kamil’s Mother) and composed by Ewa ParadowskaFind albums by this artist (four), Jerzy SyrekFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof GalasFind albums by this artist (two each) and finally one by Kamil Abt.
The Abt family left Poland in 1981 and settled in Australia, where Kamil grew up and studied music, while his Mother pursued literary academic career and wrote poetry. Kamil returned to live in Poland in 2014, and is involved in the local Jazz scene.
The album is an obvious Jazz & Poetry outing, with the songs based on Teresa’s poems and composed mostly by fellow Polish emigrants in Australia, which were performed live before getting finally a recorded version. The music is pretty standard mainstream Jazz, arranged by Kamil, who is also the primary soloist alongside Szwec. The rhythm section keeps the music swinging amicably for the entire duration.
Although Jazz & Poetry is one of my favorite music forms, I was sadly left pretty cold by this album. I am not really sure why, but the chemistry between the lyrics and the music did not happen here, the melodies are pretty mundane and the vocals get very little exposure within the mostly instrumental environment, whereas they deserve to be pretty much in the very focus of the project. Mirowska has a potent voice and her vocalese parts are the highlight of the album, but they are very limited. In short the guitar and saxophone soloing overshadows the vocals, which has an adverse effect. I did enjoy reading the poetry printed on the album’s booklet, however.
Overall, I was sadly somewhat disappointed by this album, despite the fact that it is a Jazz & Poetry project, but of course this is just my personal opinion, and other listeners might enjoy it very much. There is nothing actually wrong with it, I was simply not able to embrace it, which is entirely my problem.
| | Updated: 19/05/2024Posted: 19/05/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILES DAVIS ~ WARSAW CONCERT 1983
IMMORTAL 104243 (Barcode: 8712177056620) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1983 Released: 2010
The importance of this music stretches far beyond the fact that this is music played by the great Miles DavisFind albums by this artist during the last decade of his life, when his playing was rejuvenated and full of creative powers again. This unique recording was captured during the Warsaw´s Jazz Jamboree festival, Easter Europe´s most important Jazz even for several decades during the Socialist regime. In fact Warsaw´s JJ was almost the only Jazz Festival where Eastern European Jazz enthusiast could hear Western Jazz musicians live. The fact that the JJ festival was able to bring Miles Davis over, during a renewed peak of his world popularity and against all odds (economic, political, etc.), is a miracle and the fascinating story behind the scenes is worthy of a movie script. I´ve been privileged to be a part of this story, but that is well beyond the scope of these notes. The music presents Miles accompanied by an ensemble of young and talented musicians, which consists of saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist, bassist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. They play the material that Miles preferred at the time, which is funky rhythmically, but quite complex harmonically. There is plenty of space for extended improvisations, with Miles playing more than he did in a long time, blowing the listeners away every time. In retrospect the music sounds as good today as it did at the time, which once again confirms Miles´ genius and prophetic vision of music. Since this is not a part of the Miles´ Columbia output, it is much more difficult to find. Great stuff!
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  | HOLDSWORTH / WARLEIGH / MATHEWSON / SPRING ~ WARLEIGH MANOR
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 01 ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2020
This is an archive album by a quartet of British Jazz musicians: guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist. Subtitled “The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 1”, it presents an informal cassette tape recording of a session captured (probably) in 1979 and kept by the bassist, who recently donated his archives to Jazz in Britain Ltd. incorporating the British Jazz Sound Archive, a new not-for-profit organization whose aim is to collect, curate, preserve, celebrate and promote the legacy of British Jazz musicians. The archive collects, curates and preserves off-air and other recordings of British Jazz performances. This CD is their first release.
The music reveals an almost completely unknown facet of Holdsworth playing spontaneous Improvised Music, rather than Jazz-Rock Fusion, an idiom he is generally associated with. In addition to playing guitar he also plays violin. The rest of the quartet members have of course a much better recognized experienced with Improvised Music / Free Jazz. The album presents just three lengthy pieces, about twenty-one, eighteen and finally eight minutes in duration. The first two pieces are completely improvised, whereas the last piece takes a turn into a more conventional Jazz playing.
In retrospect this music is no more than a curio, as it does not offer any substantial glimpse into the history of British Jazz as such. Holdsworth is certainly a fish out of water on this session, and contrary to what the liner notes say, he was never really into Improvised Music. Yes, he always wanted to experiment and do his own thing and not to be told what to do, but he was a team player and needed a support of a strong rhythm section to keep him on track. His insanely wonderful guitar playing was complex enough by itself, and it needed a balance of more conventional co-players to make any musical sense. None of his idiosyncratic playing is reflected in this music.
Of course Mathewson plays beautifully here, but his abilities are well documented by many other recordings. Warleigh plays some nice flute lines, but even he is not feeling very comfortable in this free form environment. As to Spring, his contributions are hardly audible.
Improvised Music rarely survives the “recording” test. It might sound fine while being performed, with the interpersonal excitement of the moment, but listening to it forty years later might sadly prove to be a rather pointless exercise. Not every moment of musical history captured on tape deserves apparently to be preserved for posterity on record.
Overall this album proves to be rather disappointing, but the idea behind Jazz in Britain and their aims is certainly worth pursuing, hopefully with more exciting finds in the future.
| | Updated: 26/03/2021Posted: 26/03/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ WAR CHILD (EXPANDED EDITION)
EMI 541571 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1974
7th studio album by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist. After 2 incredible concept albums it took the group over a year to produce this one, which marked a return to the conventional song format, although the predominant central theme (violence) is present. Also new are some orchestral arrangements, which even meant touring with a string quartet. Great tunes and perfect performances as usual.
| | Updated: 01/08/2026Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ WAR CHILD (THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY THEATRE EDITION)
CHRYSALIS 825646216277 (Barcode: 825646216277) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1974 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of the 7th studio album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist and another chapter in the series of reissues of their seminal albums which are being remixed to new stereo and 5.1 surround sound versions by Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist, who is doing similar projects with classic Rock / Prog albums by other artists as well. It follows a similar treatment that Wilson applied to the reissues of all Jethro Tull albums starting with their third album "BenefitFind albums with this title".
The reissue consists of two CDs and two DVDs. The first CD contains the new stereo mix of the original album. The second CD contains a bunch of "associated recordings", i.e. outtakes, alternate versions and orchestral "War ChildFind albums with this title" recordings, partly in new stereo mix and partly in original version. The first DVD contains the original album remixed in High-Resolution 96/24 LPCM stereo and 5.1 surround sound in High-Resolution DTS 96/24 format and AC3 Dolby Digital format, a flat transfer of the original mix in High-Resolution 96/24 LPCM stereo and a flat transfer of the original Quadraphonic version in two High-Resolution formats. Also a few video clips are present. The second DVD contains the "associated recordings" in three High-Resolution formats. If you are confused by all these technical terms, don´t be – it is all complete bullshit piece of hype! Basically you don´t even get a copy of the original album, which you can listen to on conventional hi-fi equipment and you do get a bunch of bonus tracks which add very little value to the original album and a bunch of video clips, which are completely worthless.
The entire set is lavishly packaged in a digibook format, with great photos of the band, background material, the song lyrics and other goodies, which are all beyond reproach.
This album marks the return to the song format after extended concept album releases. It also introduces orchestral arrangements by David PalmerFind albums by this artist, for which this album was savagely criticized by the critics at the time of its release. In retrospect it defeats short-sighted critics and proves to be definitely as good as all other Jethro Tull albums. In Rock / Prog history Jethro Tull definitely remains as a group that managed to produce consistently excellent output, mainly of course due to the charismatic leadership of Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist. The other members of the group on this album were guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John EvanFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-HammondFind albums by this artist and drummer Barriemore BarlowFind albums by this artist.
Although, as already mentioned, not a concept album per se, this album definitely has a central theme of War and violence. Some of the music on this album was actually written and even recorded during earlier recording sessions and included here. The whole story about this album and its relation to the film of the same name, which Anderson intended to produce, is described in detail in the splendid book accompanying the music.
Side Note
As for the Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist contributions, I´m perplexed time after time why anybody being of sound mind would allow him to butcher the original material and then hype the results as spectacular. These original mixes are untouchable and anybody trying to change them is more or less re-painting Van Gogh, re-sculpturing Michelangelo or re-writing the Bible, all truly barbaric acts of disrespect.
Additionally I find his stereo mixes to be dry, artificial and deviant, badly damaging the original ambience of the recordings. Perhaps for people who are not familiar with the original sound this sounds fine, but for me it´s unbearable and sacrilegious.
In addition I find the surround sound completely redundant, hoping for years that it will go away as did quad and other industry inventions meant to earn some more money from the suckers following the trends. The whole high resolution hype is so ridiculous; in reality most people are deaf anyway and can´t tell one note from another even if it bites them in the ass and use ridiculously lo-fi equipment. In short Emperor´s new clothes, as usual, and no shame whatsoever.
| | Updated: 01/08/2026Posted: 15/01/2016 | 2CD+2DVD 4 Digibook Box Set Oversampling DVD-A Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MATEUSZ PLINIEWICZ ~ WARSZTAT DZWIEKU
POLSKIE RADIO 2055 (Barcode: 5907812249670) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016
This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz violinist Mateusz PliniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with keyboardist Nikola KolodziejczykFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcin JadachFind albums by this artist and drummer Szymon MadejFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live in the Polish Radio Lutoslawski Studio (in Warsaw) and presents eleven original compositions, seven of which were composed by Pliniewicz, two were co-composed by all four quartet members, and one each was composed by Jadach and Kolodziejczyk.
The music is not focused stylistically and moves between melodic mainstream pieces and more adventurous / atmospheric vistas, but is overall quite original and interesting. The strongest compositions are soaked in the typical Polish melancholy, which is a trademark of Polish Jazz since many years. The music develops very slowly and sometimes sounds a bit hesitant, but eventually the beauty of the melodies wins the listener over, even if he has to wait for it for a long while.
Pliniewicz plays beautifully and movingly, somewhat "old fashioned" like early Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, but with great charm and feeling. Kolodziejczyk supports the violin amicably and plays several well built solos. His acoustic piano playing is perfectly compatible with the overall atmosphere of the music, but his synthesizer parts sound somewhat out of place. The rhythm section does a good job pushing the music forward and setting the rhythmic layer behind the acoustic sound of the violin and piano, without dominating it. Jadach plays several interesting bass parts and is certainly worth following. Madej, who plays the drums also for another great young Polish Jazz violinist Bartosz DworakFind albums by this artist, is perfectly at home in this setting.
Overall this is a very impressive debut, which brings to light another hero of the Polish Jazz violin, which in turn seems to enjoy a great renaissance lately. I am looking forward to the first "proper" studio album, which hopefully will fulfill all the hopes this album manages to raise. Well done!
| | Updated: 04/12/2016Posted: 04/12/2016 | CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | MARIA POMIANOWSKA & GROUPE GAINDE ~ WARSZAWA - DAKAR
FOR TUNE 0069 (Barcode: 5902768701715) ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015
This is an album by Polish multi-instrumentalist / vocalist / composer Maria PomianowskaFind albums by this artist, who is a leading figure on the local Ethno / Folklore / World Music scene, on which she cooperates with a Senegalese ensemble called Groupe GaindeFind albums by this artist and a couple of Polish World Music multi-instrumentalist: Pawel BetleyFind albums by this artist and Gwidon CybulskiFind albums by this artist. Together the collective ensemble performs eleven pieces, most of which are Polish or Senegalese traditional songs and three are originals by Pomianowska.
The idea behind such multiculti projects is of course a process of amalgamation of the separate cultural ingredients into a new entity, which is supposed to be different from the original sources of influence. In this respect this album fails its objective, as the resulting music remains very closely connected with Polish Folklore and the African vocals, instruments and rhythms serve only as ornamentation and are unable to have any profound musical influence. Even the traditional Moroccan or Senegalese tunes sound more Polish than their true place of origin. This happens due to the arrangements by Pomianowska, who is the driving force of this project, and who has a very dominant influence on these proceedings.
Nevertheless the music is still a fine example of Folklore / World Music, very well executed both vocally and instrumentally, and a nice listen to all fans of the genre. Polish lyrics might be a hurdle for non-Polish listeners, but these days it is of little significance. The beautiful melancholic Polish Folklore songs are all true gems, with the only problem being that they are all very similar melodically and harmonically, and after a while start to sound a bit tiresome.
Overall this album is certainly worth exploring by World Music fans, although it offers a much "localized" perspective of the genre.
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  | DON RENDELL / IAN CARR QUINTET ~ WARM UP
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 44 (Barcode: 5060774190487) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2022
This is an archival 2CD live album by the fabled British Jazz quintet co-led by saxophonist / composer Don RendellFind albums by this artist and trumpeter / composer Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, which also included pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and recently departed drummer Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist, to whom this album is dedicated. Part of the music contained here was previously released on the HarkitFind albums on this label label in 2003, but the entire concert at the Highwayman is now presented in full and sonically restored, accompanied by a 20-pages booklet with photos and an essay by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, four of which are original compositions by Garrick – the most prolific composer of the quintet, one by Rendell and one by the great Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist, with the rest being Jazz standards.
I have already written extensively about this magnificent quintet, so there is no need to repeat the obvious – they were the quintessential outfit at the time and champions of the process of establishing the new voice of the British Jazz after years of copying and admiring the American Jazz tradition, finally being able, together with several other contemporaries, to emancipate the music and create an autonomous, recognizable, aesthetically independent way of thinking and composing and most importantly improvising.
Of course, all five members of the quintet were great performers, which means that the music kicks ass for the entire duration, but it deserves several listening sessions in order to recognize all the crucial moments of genius, where they offer innovation rather than just going through the motions. It is great to have the entire concert available, and to fill one more gap in the complex puzzle this quintet managed to create during its relatively short existence.
Overall, this is another triumphant release by the Jazz In Britain label, which is a total labor of love and commitment. I look with great satisfaction at the growing stack of the label’s releases, which is the main source of archival material, producing an ongoing story of British Jazz. This album is a great addition to this growing legacy, and from what the people behind the scenes share with us, this is just a tiny portion of the material that comes their way. We can only hope the creative juices will keep flowing and the CDs coming – hats off to you people. And the album – well, it is a no brainer whatsoever – just grab a copy – satisfaction guaranteed!
| | Updated: 29/01/2023Posted: 28/01/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SBB ~ WARSZAWA 1980
GAD 022 (Barcode: 5901549197280) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2014
This is a live recording by the legendary Polish Jazz-Rock band SBBFind albums by this artist, capturing the group at the very last stage of the first phase in the group´s history, after they recorded the last studio album of that first phase ("Memento Z Banalnym TryptykiemFind albums with this title"). In many respects this recording is very special, not only because it finds the group in top form, but since it presents the short-lived double lead guitar lineup, with guitarist Slawomir PiwowarFind albums by this artist (ex-ParadoxFind albums by this artist, ex-Niemen AerolitFind albums by this artist) playing alongside guitarist Apostolis AnthimosFind albums by this artist, bassist / keyboardist Jozef SkrzekFind albums by this artist and drummer Jerzy PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist. It also marks Skrzek returning to the role of bass player, after years of concentrating on playing just the synthesizers.
The addition of Piwowar was a much needed new blood transfusion for the band, filling it with new energies and revitalizing its show, but sadly did not save it from falling apart soon after. SBB, which of course exists to this very day (see side note below), is one of those phenomenal bands, which state almost everything they have to say on their first two / three albums, and everything recorded later is in one way or another musically based on the initial statement. The band, comprising of incredible musicians, had the advantage of being able to simply improvise freely for hours on end, quite in the same way early improvising bands like CreamFind albums by this artist or Allman Brothers BandFind albums by this artist did earlier on. Therefore an addition of another improvising musician, with superb instrumental skills, was exactly what the group needed at that time.
As the album´s liner notes state, this Warsaw concert from April 1980, is definitely one of the best moments ever captured on tape by SBB. The sound, the energy, the inspiration are all there, contributing to this momentous occasion. The guitar exchanges between Anthimos and Piwowar are of course the pinnacle of the event, and guitar fans will definitely find them brilliant in every respect. But in fact the entire group plays simply superbly, with Skrzek playing his synthesizers less aggressively and very melodically, which balances the guitar solos perfectly. And of course Piotrowski, who is surely one of the best Fusion drummers on this planet, keeps this music together, with precision and incredible power.
Overall this is probably the best archival live SBB album ever released, and iconic piece of Polish music history. Thanks to GADFind albums on this label Records for making this available to all of us, which, as usually in their case, is beautifully packaged, remastered and presented.
Side Note: In April 2015 I had the pleasure to attend a concert by SBB, which took place in a very unusual concert hall, which is situated 320 meters under the surface in an old coal mine called Guido, in the Silesian town of Zabrze. This phenomenal cultural temple hosts both classical and popular music concerts in a completely unique acoustic ambience and cultural atmosphere. SBB played in their classic Skrzek / Anthimos / Piotrowski trio format to a packed audience, mostly older fans that followed the group since its inception. Nor surprisingly they played mostly their old material, which seemed to delight the audience. And a good time was had by all (me with tears-filled eyes of course included)!
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | LORA SZAFRAN / BOGDAN HOLOWNIA ~ WARS SZPILMAN WASOWSKI – I TAK SIE TRUDNO ROZSTAC…
POLSKIE RADIO 2177 (Barcode: 5907812247904) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is a live recording by Polish Jazz vocalist Lora SzafranFind albums by this artist accompanied by a quartet led by pianist Bogdan HolowniaFind albums by this artist, which also includes trumpeter Robert MurakowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel PantaFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve Polish evergreens (often called Polish standards), composed by three renowned Polish composers: Henryk WarsFind albums by this artist, Wladyslaw SzpilmanFind albums by this artist and Jerzy WasowskiFind albums by this artist and featuring lyrics by celebrated Polish poets and lyricists.
The music holds no surprises to the Polish listeners, as these are songs that the older generation is very much familiar with and which have been around for many years being clearly an integral part of the Polish Cultural heritage. Of course, as such, they have all been performed and recorded many times before and as a result this album offers nothing new in this respect.
Szafran and the instrumentalist are all veteran performers and professionals, so this material offers no challenge whatsoever, especially in view of the fact that it was meant as entertainment and a nostalgic revisit of this material, rather than a Jazz event. Of course the performance was first class from start to finish.
Overall this is a nice tribute to beautiful Polish songs, which offer wonderful music and intelligent, sensitive lyrics, and as such is sadly a symbol of how the values of popular music changed over time from artistry to trash.
| | Updated: 22/10/2018Posted: 22/10/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRETTIOÅRIGA KRIGET ~ WAR MEMORIES
MELLOTRONEN 003 ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1981 Released: 1992
This album compiles previously unreleased material, mostly live recordings and some studio outtakes, by the legendary Swedish Prog band Trettioåriga KrigetFind albums by this artist (The Thirty Years War), spanning the entire first period of their activity from the early 1970s to the early 1980s. Some of the material was released on the first 5 albums the band recorded, but is presented here recorded live, which of course is quite different from the studio versions, revealing the improvisational abilities of the group’s members. Although some of these recordings are not perfect as far as the sound quality is concerned, the raw energy and the beauty of the music overwhelmingly puts the sound issues aside. This is a great document of the era, as well as one of the most important Scandinavian Prog bands and therefore essential to all the many fans of the band.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WARHORSE ~ WARHORSE
ANGEL AIR 034 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
1st album from 1970 by this UK Prog group formed by ex Deep Purple bass player Nick Simper. Although not well known, this is an excellent example of early Prog with great tunes and long expressive performances. This reissue finally does justice to this much under-appreciated group.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | WARM TRIO ~ WARM TRIO
RG 101 (Barcode: 20151010) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015
This is an album by Dark Rock / Fusion group Warm TrioFind albums by this artist comprising of Polish guitarist / composer Boguslaw RaatzFind albums by this artist, bassist Grzegorz KorybalskiFind albums by this artist and American drummer Calvin WestonFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original instrumental compositions, nine of which were co-composed by the trio members and one each by Raatz and Weston.
The music moves between typical guitar power trios Heavy Rock riff oriented pieces and more Fusion oriented material, with extensive improvisations. The focus is obviously on the guitar pyrotechnics, which Raatz is a Master of, but there us also a lot of melodic contents and ambient atmosphere. The rhythm section supports the leader amicably and holds the pulse firmly, which is exactly what this kind of music needs.
In contrast to most recordings of this type, the music on this album is diverse enough to keep the listener interested over the entire span of the album, but it is undoubtedly very specific and will appeal to Rock fans who like their music heavy, loud and intense.
For guitar aficionados this album is a treasure chest of technical tips how to use the instrument to the max, without being excessive and boring. Definitely an ear opener!
| | Updated: 18/02/2019Posted: 18/02/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | WARSAW STOMPERS ~ WARSAW STOMPERS (POLISH JAZZ VOL.01)
MUZA 1001 (Barcode: 5907783420016) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1959 - 1964 Released: 2008
This album presents a series of recordings made by the polish traditional Jazz ensemble Warsaw StompersFind albums by this artist (earlier called New Orleans StompersFind albums by this artist), which was one of the first and certainly the best of its kind. Led by the excellent trumpeter Henryk MajewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Mieczyslaw WadeckiFind albums by this artist the ensemble changed the membership over the years and included in its ranks some of the best future Polish Jazz musicians like saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Wlodek GulgowskiFind albums by this artist.
The traditionalists vs. modernist Jazz War raged in Poland in the 1950s similarly to what happened all over Europe at the time with the New Orleans revival emerging as a counterforce of the new Bebop and beyond. However, beyond the heated discussions running into the wee hours of the night between the opponents, Jazz as music coexisted peacefully, resulting in outstanding results in both fields. The Warsaw Stompers played an all original programme, which is quite remarkable for the time, again emphasizing the deep involvement of the Polish scene with the Jazz tradition, which started even before the WWII.
The level of the compositions as well as the performance is truly stellar and anybody who loves traditional Jazz should be able to enjoy this music to the fullest. Highly recommended!
Side Note: Although some Polish Jazz albums were recorded and released in Poland before this album, it marks the very beginning of the legendary Polish Jazz series, which over the years documented the development of the Polish scene and resulted in total 76 releases, which in retrospect include some of the best European Jazz recorded beyond the Iron Curtain. The Polish Jazz LPs and CDs are highly collectable and many fans all over the world try to complete the collection, which is not an easy task these days. The CD reissues (called Polish Jazz Deluxe) expanded the original series with some 20 additional titles, which somehow missed the original series at the time but belong to be a part of it in retrospect.
| | Updated: 08/07/2020Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZIEMIA / IREK WOJTCZAK ~ WARMING / MELTING
AUDIO CAVE 2024/002 (Barcode: 5908298549773) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024
This is the 2nd album by the Polish Jazz quartet ZiemiaFind albums by this artist, comprising of guitarist Oskar TomalaFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Mateusz ZydekFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub WosikFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan KapolkaFind albums by this artist. The quartet is expanded into a quintet with the addition of saxophonist / bass clarinetist Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live and presents eight tracks, all original, but uncredited composition, assumed to be co-created by all the participants.
The music is significantly different from that presented on the quartet’s debut album, recorded just one year earlier, and tends to step boldly into the “well behaved” Improvised Music / Free Jazz idiom, rather than stick to established mainstream Jazz formulas. The musicians offer a series of intimate conversations, which move between solo, duo and trio exchanges, which then are joined by the rhythm session to explore the group improvisation modus operandi.
Of course there are also pre-composed pieces, but those also morph into Free Form territory, soon after the introduction of the theme, but keep a more “traditional” structure with consecutive soli, rather than group improvisation.
The sound and the mood of the music are quite unconventional for the entire duration, but the music stays within coherent boundaries and should be accessible to a relatively wide range of Jazz listeners, which for such complex music is quite a miracle.
The level of the individual performances is stunningly excellent, and despite the generation / experience gap between Wojtczak and the four youngsters, musically they seem to have no inferiority complex playing side by side. Personally I seem to develop a high interest in the work of Zydek, whose trumpet parts are nothing short of sensational and I have high hopes for his future explorations on the local scene.
Overall, this is a great album, diverse and surprising from start to finish with no dull moments in between. These your musicians are certainly going places and their cooperation with Wojtczak is unblemished by the generation gap, which knowing Irek and his open-mindedness, is not surprising. Although non-trivial in every sense, this music is absolutely worth being investigated by open-minded listeners the world over. Well done indeed!
| | Updated: 09/05/2024Posted: 09/05/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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