Record Reviews

BIZARRE PENGUIN ~ ACIDO DOMINGO EASTRINGS 0003 (Barcode: 196400420262) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Avant-Garde Jazz trio Bizarre PenguinFind albums by this artist comprising of drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist (who also plays synthesizers) and trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, who recorded already several albums together under various monikers. The album presents five compositions, all uncredited and assumed to be co-composed by the trio members. Although recorded in the midst of the pandemic, with the musicians not able to see each other and interact visually, which is almost imperative in Improvised Music, the album offers a remarkable musical coherence, often not found on conventionally recorded albums. These musicians obviously managed to develop an unusual rapport between them, which already produced some exceptional recordings like “NecrosofiaFind albums with this title”, “MurmursFind albums with this title” or “Jazz Dla ZwierzatFind albums with this title” (the last two on Sadowski’s record label EastringsFind albums on this label Records), which is also prevailing on this superb recording. The music manages to combine acoustic and electronic auras perfectly, offering Improvised Music which is beautifully melodic and lyrical, and yet completely unusual and unpredictable. Lipka’s sublime trumpet playing, closely resembling Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist during his early experimental phase, is absolutely stunning and irresistible. Koper and Sadowski support layer upon layer of complex rhythmic patterns, both acoustic and electronic, as well as wall of sound effects, creating wonderfully powerful sound vistas. The music moves between contemplative excursions and energetic soul-drenching exchanges, which keep the listener completely mesmerized. I had the album on “repeat” mode for quite a while, before being able to clear my head and write these lines, as admittedly it’s been quite a while since I heard any music of such power of expression. Overall, this is definitely one of the very best, and perhaps the best Polish Improvised Music album I have had the pleasure to listen to in 2021, especially so in view of the rather dull and weak output in that area on the local scene, which sadly seems to be completely lost lately. These musicians seem to have a “golden touch” and hopefully will produce much more great music when the world gets back to normal. Hats off and thank you for this extraordinary music!

Updated: 04/01/2022Posted: 04/01/2022

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