Record Reviews

ADAM WENDT AND FRIENDS ~ RHYTHM & JAZZ SOLITON 862 (Barcode: 5901571098623) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Adam WendtFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Wojciech NiedzielaFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist. American trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks and guitarist Dean BrownFind albums by this artist on one track. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wendt. The album was beautifully recorded at the RecPublica Studios and engineered by Lukasz OlejarczykFind albums by this artist and offers a truly spectacular sound, The music, as the title suggests, is all mainstream Jazz that emphasizes the Rhythm And Blues stream in American Jazz popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is pretty astounding how American this music sounds, although it is completely "Made in Poland"! When blindfold tested this music might have been identified as a "lost" Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist album. For the Jazz cognoscenti the Adderley´s great hit "Mercy, Mercy. Mercy" comes immediately to mind when this music plays, but we should remember it was written by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, who was as European as they come. Niedziela´s vamping on this album and his piano parts are a great tribute to Zawinul. The execution is absolutely perfect in every respect – the sound, the beat, the feel and everything else sounds like top American musicians at work. But considering the fact that these are original compositions, one can only take the hat off in full respect and admiration. Although this album does not overall offer anything new or unexpected, it presents a truthful reproduction and a tribute to the lighter side of American Jazz, with originally contributed music, which does hold its ground perfectly. For the many enthusiasts, who still love this kind of Jazz, this album is a true delight and an irrefutable proof that "White Man Can Jump", especially if they are Polish.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 29/12/2018

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