Record Reviews

WEEZDOB COLLECTIVE ~ KOMEDA, OSTATNIA RETROSPEKCJA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the third album by Polish Jazz quintet Weezdob CollectiveFind albums by this artist, which comprises of harmonica player Kacper SmolinskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Kuba MarciniakFind albums by this artist, guitarist Piotr ScholzFind albums by this artist, bassist Damian KostkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam ZagorskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, two by Marciniak, four by Smolinski, one by Kostka, two by Scholz, one by Zagorski and finally one co-composed by Kostka and Zagorski. The text (in Polish) included on the album was written by Tomasz LachFind albums by this artist and recited by Mariusz ZaniewskiFind albums by this artist. Date and place of recording are not specified on the album´s artwork. As the album´s title suggests, this is yet another project related to the legendary Godfather of Polish Jazz, pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. Despite the fact that Komeda´s name and music was over time abused, misused and mistreated obsessively countless times, the temptation to gain attention is obviously stronger than decency and good taste. The pretext this time is the text written by Lach, Komeda´s adopted son, which consists of a series of reflections about his adoptive father, incorporated into the music written by the members of the ensemble, creating sort of radio sketch, a popular form of radio broadcast before television took over. The music is series of unrelated composition, which have nothing to do with Komeda´s music per se and if the intention was to create at least am atmospheric similarity, it fails to do so as far as I am concerned. These rather forgettable themes have simply no coherent continuity and although played in the background of the text being recited, offer little, if any, relation to the text itself. The members of the ensemble are obviously well schooled and experienced musicians; hopefully they will make better decisions in the future. Overall this album not only does not pay any tribute to Komeda´s name and status, but is a rather cynical and opportunistic venture, with no Artistic merit. Combined with a murky sound quality and incorrect balance between the music and the recitation, it is even difficult to listen to.

Updated: 04/01/2021Posted: 04/01/2021

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