Record Reviews

ZBIGNIEW LEWANDOWSKI ~ ZBIGNIEW LEWANDOWSKI GAD 121 (Barcode: 5903068120770) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1983 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the debut album by Polish Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Zbigniew LewandowskiFind albums by this artist, originally released on the legendary PoljazzFind albums on this label label. The music was recorded in 1983 during two sessions separated by several months, with two lineups. The first lineup was a quintet which included alongside Lewandowski also iconic trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist, guitarist Pawel ScieranskiFind albums by this artist and bass guitarist Krzysztof ScieranskiFind albums by this artist. The second lineup was extended to an octet and included also saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, second bass guitarist Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jose TorresFind albums by this artist. The original LP presented six tracks but this remastered edition was expanded by two additional tracks from the first session, previously unissued. All the compositions were by the musicians participating in the recording except for one standard. The music, influenced by the revolutionary work of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, has a distinct Fusion tinge, but is very far from an attempt to copy the great Master. Przybielski, aged thirty-nine at the time of the recording, was already Poland´s most idiosyncratic Jazz musician and trumpet Genius. He displays the full range of his abilities, and the fact that the music is Fusion oriented, offers a rare opportunity to hear him in that specific idiom, rather than within his "usual" Avant-Garde environment. His performances on this album are amongst the most extensive documents of his playing, including his weird sense of humor. In retrospect this album emphasizes the devastating loss Polish Jazz suffered with his untimely death in 2011. I had the immense luck and pleasure to produce the album "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title", just a couple of years after this recording was made, which also featured Przybielski at his absolute best. Baron, only twenty-two years old at the time, also contributes wonderfully to the album´s overall ambience, offering his compositions, most of the arrangements and excellent soloing. The rest of the players were already more experienced and their professionalism and obvious talents are clearly evident in the resulting music. Overall this is a momentous recording, perhaps one of the most important Polish Jazz albums from the 1980s, and beyond. Polish Jazz / Fusion fans should be grateful to GADFind albums on this label Records for resurrecting this gem and saving it from oblivion. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 23/09/2020Posted: 23/09/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend