Record Reviews
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  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ A HANDFUL OF STARS
CHIAROSCURO 209 (Barcode: 091454020928) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 Released: 1997
This is a little known and sort of a “lost” album by Polish pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1981 but released only sixteen years later in 1997, for reasons aptly explained in the album’s booklet. The album was produced by the legendary John HammondFind albums by this artist, who was also responsible for the first album Makowicz recorded in the US, and features Makowicz in a relatively rare piano trio setting, with two superb instrumentalists: Czech bassist (and another émigré) George MrazFind albums by this artist and American drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, which are a usual mixture of Makowicz originals (four) and Jazz standards. A twelfth (hidden) track is a spoken word track, on which Makowicz tell the story of his life and career.
The music is a brilliant display of Makowicz incredible technique and captures him shortly after his arrival in the US, when his playing was still influenced to some degree by his Polish tradition and Slavic lyricism, which almost completely disappeared in the years to come. As already mentioned, it is a rare trio setting as Makowicz definitely prefers solo piano outings.
The album is closely linked to the “From My WindowFind albums with this title” solo piano album, also recorded in 1981 the duo recording “Classic Jazz DuetsFind albums with this title” with Mraz, recorded in 1982, as well as “The Name Is MakowiczFind albums with this title” quintet recording from 1983, all of which present his work from that period.
It is no wonder that Makowicz managed to win the hearts of the American audiences and critic alike, since his treatment of the American Jazz tradition sounds completely familiar and orthodox, spiced of course with his virtuosic technique and genuine love of the music, and his original compositions are fully in the vein of American standards, many of which were composed by composers of Polish heritage, like Bronislaw KaperFind albums by this artist, Victor YoungFind albums by this artist or Henryk WarsFind albums by this artist, a fact American listeners had no clue about of course. Mraz and DeJohnette play splendidly, as expected, and the classic Jazz piano trio format proves to be unbeatable again.
Overall, this is a splendid opportunity to hear Makowicz in a trio setting and explore the early stages of his US career. The music stands the test of time splendidly and should be a delightful experience to every mainstream Jazz lover. For Polish Jazz collectors this is an absolute must, although it is not easy to find a copy these days.
| | Updated: 25/07/2023Posted: 25/07/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ INTERFACE
SONET 963 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1986 Released: 1987
This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, who left Poland in the late 1970s and lived first in NY and later moved to Toronto, Canada. This album, recorded in Sweden, on which Makowicz is accompanied by one of the most celebrated European rhythm sections: Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist, presents eight original compositions, all by Makowicz.
The album is a wonderful testimony both of the technical brilliance of Makowicz as a pianist and his superb talents as a composer. His seemingly endless arpeggios and other impressive ornamentations are a continuous joy to the listener and the wonderful melodies float one after another with ease and charm. The rhythm section obviously enjoys this session as much as the leader and both musicians support him amicably and elegantly.
Sadly this album managed to pass under the radar of most Polish Jazz fans and is today quite difficult to find. I definitely recommend getting a copy as long as it is still possible, as no Polish Jazz discography is complete without this album!
| | Updated: 14/07/2017Posted: 14/07/2017 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ LIVE EMBERS (POLISH JAZZ VOL.43)
MUZA 1043 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2005
This is the 2nd album in the legendary Polish Jazz series by the brilliant Polish pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, his first solo piano recording (a format he loves very much as documented in future recordings) and the first solo piano album in the entire series. By the time this album was recorded, Makowicz was the top piano Player on the local scene and one of the best European Jazz pianists. In the late 1970s Makowicz left Poland and settled in USA, like several other Polish Jazz players, escaping the socialist regime. His wonderful musicality, deep lyricism and typical European way to combine the Jazz tradition with the European Classical tradition (mainly Romanticism) make him a unique voice, which is always worth listening to. On this album he performs mainly his own wonderful music, spiced by his interpretation of a couple of Scott JoplinFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist tunes. This is a brilliant album and a must for Jazz piano lovers. Highly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS
CONCORD 4631 (Barcode: 4003099805620) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1993 Released: 1994
This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio setting with Czech bassist George MrazFind albums by this artist and American drummer Alan DawsonFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album presents eleven tracks, all of which were composed by Richard RodgersFind albums by this artist, one of the most important creators of the American Songbook.
Makowicz, who left Poland in 1977 and settled first in the US and later on in Canada, is the only representative of the Polish Jazz scene to achieve a remarkable success in America. He fully embraced the American Jazz aesthetics, concentrating on playing mainstream Jazz, which includes the treasures of the American Jazz standards as well as his own compositions, which are in similar vein.
This album presents a set of highly imaginative interpretations of familiar songs by Rodgers, which often deviate quite radically from the originals, but retain the spirit of the compositions, even when the original tempo is significantly changed. Makowicz manages to deploy his entire repertoire of virtuosic tricks of the trade, playing neck-breaking arpeggios and running up and down the keyboard with brilliantly delicate touch. He is splendidly accompanied by the rhythm section, especially closely-knit with Mraz, who is an absolute wizard, and who recorded quite a few other albums with Makowicz over the years, which of course means they communicate almost telepathically.
Overall, this is another beautiful album by Makowicz, who in fact never recorded anything below his usual top standard, which offers some challenging and interesting interpretations of familiar material, which might take even the most experienced Jazz listener by surprise. Sadly, both Mraz and Dawson are no longer with us, so this album is a splendid tribute to their talents. Makowicz is alive and kicking, recording and performing actively, to the delight of his numerous fans and followers. This is a true gem, especially to those listeners, who think there is nothing new that can be done with these standards any more.
| | Updated: 06/07/2024Posted: 06/07/2024 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ SWINGING IVORIES
POLSKIE RADIO 2169 (Barcode: 5907812247379) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is an album presenting a solo piano recital by Polish (resident in Canada) Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded live by the Polish Radio during his visit in Poland. The album includes sixteen relatively short pieces, nine of which are original compositions by Makowicz and seven are his interpretations of Jazz standards.
After being a part of the Polish Jazz core in its formative years, Makowicz left Poland in the late 1970s, first for the US and later moved to Canada. He is the only Jazz musician of Polish origin, who managed to achieve relative success and a respectful position in America, most probably due to the fact that stylistically his playing is as "American" as they come, based on the great legacy of the classic Jazz piano Masters, which he masterly reproduces.
The music is all wonderfully melodic and well within the mainstream idiom, easy on the ear and smooth as a baby´s behind, overflowing with arpeggios and strong left hand rhythmic stride, in short exactly what the fans of such music love to hear. The original compositions by Makowicz sound exactly as if they belong to the standards in the Real Book. There is no innovation or experimentation, but everything is played with taste and perfection as expected.
Overall this is a classic solo piano album, excellently performed and well recorded which should bring joy to mainstream Jazz lovers and melodic solo piano recordings enthusiasts.
| | Updated: 01/04/2018Posted: 01/04/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ THE NAME IS MAKOWICZ (MA-KO-VITCH)
SHEFFIELD LAB 21 (Barcode: 014391002123) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1983 Released: 2003
This is a reissue of the album by Polish pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded and released in the US by the prestigious Hi-Fi record label Sheffield LabFind albums on this label. The music was recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Gene EstesFind albums by this artist, bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill GoodwinFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Makowicz and one is a standard.
Makowicz left Poland in 1977, settling first in NY and later moving to Toronto, Canada. He is the only Polish Jazz musician, who managed to develop a significant career on the American scene, where he is highly respected. Over the years he recorded with some of the best American Jazz musicians. In recent years he regularly visits Poland and again releases albums on Polish labels.
In many respects Makowicz often sounds more American than genuine American Jazz players, embracing the traditional approach to mainstream Jazz, which is an ideal vehicle to expose his virtuosity and technique as a pianist. This explains perhaps his success in US, where European Jazz is often looked at with suspicion. This album proves just that, with mostly original compositions by Makowicz, which are fully compatible with straightforward mainstream Jazz, in contrast to his compositions recorded in Poland, before he left for the greener pastures.
The famous Sheffield Lab sound quality and recording technique of direct to disc vinyl cutting and using just one single stereo mike, might have been something quite interesting at the time, but in time proved to be just another hype, and the sound of this CD, which is taken from the original tapes, sounds definitely dated today to my ears.
Overall, this is a nice document of the early days of Makowicz career in the US. The CD is quite difficult to find these days, not to mention the original LP and I am happy to finally close the gap in my collection. Polish Jazz completists will definitely want a copy of this in their collections as well!
| | Updated: 29/05/2023Posted: 29/05/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ UNIT (POLISH JAZZ VOL. 35)
WARNER MUSIC POLAND 190296509773 (Barcode: 190296509773) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2022
This is a reissue / remaster of the debut album as a leader by the Polish Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in a duo setting with drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist and presents ten tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Makowicz, one is co-composed with Bartkowski and one is a standard.
At the time the album was recorded both Makowicz and Bartkowski were members of the group led by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, which also included Urbaniak’s wife, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist. Makowicz and Dudziak recorded, just four months before this album was recorded, the legendary duo album “Newborn LightFind albums with this title”, which was later also released in the US by ColumbiaFind albums on this label, paving Makowicz career across the pond, where he moved in 1977, first to NY and later to Toronto. Makowicz is the only Polish Jazz musician, who managed to establish a significant career in the US, although many others tried to do so over the years.
Makowicz was always deeply rooted in the American Jazz tradition and his music stayed mostly within the mainstream idiom, emphasizing the melodic approach. His stint with Urbaniak was, in retrospect, the most adventurous period of his career. A piano / drums duo was quite an innovative and daring idea at the time, and remains a rare bird to this very days, with just a few recordings capturing such a cooperation. There is no doubt that in this case the stars were smiling upon these two musicians, and the music they recorded still sounds innovative and interesting, despite the five decades that passed since. With Bartkowski celebrating his 80th Birthday just a couple of days ago and both of them still alive and playing music, this reissue is a nice reminder of their early work.
Overall, as all the albums in the Polish Jazz series, this is an important document of the development of the genre against all odds. A great example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom and definitely an album worthy of honorable position in every serious Jazz collection, certainly a must for Polish Jazz enthusiasts.
Side Note
The iconic "Polish Jazz" series of recordings, originally released between 1965 and 1989 by the Polish state owned record company Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label, which used the MuzaFind albums on this label label as its moniker, consists of seventy six LP albums. It presents the history of Polish Jazz recordings during that period, which includes some of the most important Polish / European modern Jazz milestones and reflects the extraordinary development of Jazz music behind the Iron Curtain. It is one of the most important historic documents of Polish Music and of course Polish Culture in general.
The series had an eminent logo designed by Roslaw Szaybo and the albums were numbered sequentially from Vol.1 to Vol.76 accordingly. The album's artwork was wonderfully stylish and modernist, featuring the brilliant photographs and characteristic design by the legendary Polish Artist Marek Karewicz.
Stylistically the series presented all Jazz genres, from Traditional Jazz to Avant-Garde / Free Jazz, which was extraordinarily liberal considering the cultural censorship imposed by the Socialist Regime. It suffered from some inconsistency, as far as the musical quality and aesthetics were concerned, as well as the internal "politics" of the Polish Jazz scene at the time, but in retrospect it achieved a spectacular overall result, unparalleled as far as consistently documenting a national Jazz scene is concerned.
After the Polskie Nagrania catalogue was bought by Warner Music PolandFind albums on this label, the new owner started a reissue process of the Polish Jazz series, carefully remastered, repackaged and including extensive liner notes, which keeps the artwork as close to the original design as possible. So far forty four volumes of the original series were reissued.
In 2016 Warner Music Poland decided to continue the original series by releasing new contemporary Polish Jazz recordings under the same format and even to continue the sequential numbering starting with Vol.77 – a decision I personally consider almost sacrilegious. Some things are simply untouchable, and the "Polish Jazz" series is surely one of those things. If Warner Music Poland wants to produce Jazz albums, which is always more than welcome, they could have started a new series, under a new title, rather than exploiting the reputation of the historic series.
As a result, some artist whose albums are released as part of the new series might be led to expect instant gratification, fame and stardom, just for being an artificial part of a prestigious past, which of course is as bogus as it is sad.
| | Updated: 23/04/2023Posted: 21/04/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ WELCOME BACK, ADAM
FOR TUNE 0164 (Barcode: 5906395808786) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023
This is a solo piano album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, who left Poland in 1977 and settled in NY, where he released his first American album on ColumbiaFind albums on this label, simply entitled “AdamFind albums with this title”. Later on Makowicz moved to Canada, where he currently resides, visiting and performing occasionally in Poland. This album, recorded 45 years after his American debut, is a closure of sorts, as the title suggests. The album presents seventeen tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Makowicz and nine are standards. The music was splendidly recorded at the Nowa Miodowa concert hall in Warsaw.
The music is a delightful recital of relaxed and virtuosic performance, which presents Makowicz at his most melodic and elegant self. There seems to be no distinction between the original music and the well-known standards, which speaks volumes about his compositional abilities. Makowicz fully embraced the American Jazz tradition and his music sounds completely authentic and spiritually akin to the music composed in America almost a Century earlier by its best composers.
Makowicz is blessed with a very personal touch on the keyboard, which is blissfully elegant and often somewhat humorous, which invokes an immediate smile of “familiarity” on the listener’s lips. The excellent sound quality and atmosphere of the recording adds an aura of “class” and grace, which makes the virtuosic performances completely accessible and natural sounding, which of course is a great gift of the Artist.
Overall, it is an absolute delight to hear the Master at such form and dexterity, not to mention the fact that fact that the album offers a generous amount of new compositions, which are always most welcome. The album definitely summarizes the American chapter of the pianist’s career at a most affirmative way, and the fact that this time the album was recorded and released by a Polish record label certainly closes the fate’s circle.
Side Note:
This is the 100th album released as part of the “magenta” Jazz Series by the fabulous Polish For TuneFind albums on this label Records label, and the 164th overall release. The innovative label releases also World Music, Classical Music and other ambitious projects and earned a distinguished position on the market in the last decade, since its inception in 2013. Congratulations, my Friends!
| | Updated: 02/07/2023Posted: 02/07/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ ~ WINTER FLOWERS
GOWI 02 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1977 Released: 1993
This is a reissue of a solo piano album by the brilliant Polish Jazz pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, which was originally recorded in Czechoslovakia and released on the SupraphonFind albums on this label label. It was the third solo piano album by Makowicz (see "Live EmbersFind albums with this title" and "Piano Vistas UnlimitedFind albums with this title" recorded earlier), recorded shortly before he left for the US, where he recorded his first American album, also solo piano, and entitled simply "AdamFind albums with this title". Both these albums were released more or less in parallel. This album presents ten original compositions by Makowicz. Several tunes on this album were also recorded for the US album, some under different names, which included in addition to Makowicz originals also five standards.
Makowicz was one of the very few Polish Jazz musicians that managed to establish a solid career in the US and lived there for many years, before moving to Canada. His technical brilliance and extensive Classical Music background allowed him to establish a concert pianist career. He was banned in Poland after moving to the US and the ban was lifted only after the fall of the Socialist regime, but this Czechoslovak album was available during that dark period.
Makowicz is known for his love and interpretation of the music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and his original music bears Chopin´s influence almost in every aspect: melodically, harmonically and lyrically. One might speculate that if Chopin would have lived in our times, his music might have sounded very similar to that of Makowicz. In the US Makowicz was often compared to Art TatumFind albums by this artist and Oscar PetersonFind albums by this artist, but honestly these comparisons are quite inappropriate, as Tatum and Peterson might have been symbols of piano playing technique but did not possess the European idiosyncrasies that only European born musicians are blessed with.
In retrospect this album lost nothing of its charm and elegance and personally is still my favorite Makowicz album, perhaps because it is entirely based on his original music. A classic Jazz piano album and a must for all fans of Polish Jazz of course!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ADAM MAKOWICZ / GEORGE MRAZ ~ CLASSIC JAZZ DUETS
GOWI 04 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 Released: 1991
This is a wonderful live recording of a piano / bass duo concert by the great Polish pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and Czech bassist George MrazFind albums by this artist. These two Eastern European virtuosi moved to the US in order to establish their international careers and both were victims of the Cold War politics. Mraz arrived in the US in 1968, soon after his country was invaded by the Russian tanks in an attempt to stop the Spring of Prague. Already a seasoned player at the time he was immediately absorbed into the Jazz scene and worked with the most famous names in the business. Makowicz arrived in the US in 1977 and his amazing talent and virtuosity was soon recognized by the US public and fellow musicians. This album finds the two musicians performing a set of Jazz standards, arranged for a duo, which are truly breathtaking. The level of interplay between the two musicians is telepathic and the intricate exchanges between keys and strings are delightful. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NOVI ~ FIVE, FOUR, THREE
GAD 025 (Barcode: 5901549197310) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2015
This is a reissue of the fifth album by the Polish Jazz vocal ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist, recorded after the ensemble´s founder / leader / primary composer / arranger Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist left Poland for the greener pastures of the Big Apple, following a whole wave of his compatriots, like Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and others. Kawka´s departure seemed to have little impact on the remaining three members of the ensemble: Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist, Janusz MychFind albums by this artist and Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist. They immediately embarked upon the recording of this album, which as usual included original material, composed by Parzynski (seven of the nine compositions on this album) and Mych (the other two compositions). Three of the compositions included also lyrics (in English).
The ensemble was accompanied by an instrumental combo, which featured top Polish Jazz musicians: keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, and the Polish Radio Jazz Studio OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. In addition to the original album, this remastered edition includes four bonus tracks, two of which feature the vocalist Tomasz OchalskiFind albums by this artist, who expanded the ensemble to the original quartet lineup for a brief period. The original album was released only three years after it was recorded, which was an example of how political bureaucracy dictated the fate of musicians behind the Iron Curtain.
Musically this album was a continuation of the fantastic work they did on the previous releases, but the stress of loosing their leader and the confusion that followed is pretty obvious. The selection of material and inclusion of songs is obviously a step towards commercialism, but the album still presents several top-notch numbers, beautifully and skillfully executed, which stand up to par with their earlier work. But overall the glory days of NOVI were over and although they would record a couple of additional albums, they were moving further away from the revolutionary and innovative vocal achievements of their early days.
Considering the fact that this music has been unavailable for such a long time this is definitely another project by GADFind albums on this label Records, which deserves to be praised. NOVI fans will find this an indispensable part of their collection and hopefully we will get a complete set of NOVI reissues sometime in the future.
| | Updated: 13/10/2016Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | NOVI ~ NOVI IN WONDERLAND
MPS 2541 (Barcode: 4988005209900) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1968 Released: 1998
This is a Japanese reissue of the legendary album by the no less legendary Polish Jazz vocal quartet NOVIFind albums by this artist, led by vocalist / composer Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist, which also included Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist, Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist and Janusz MychFind albums by this artist. On this album they are accompanied by a rhythm section, which comprises of Polish pianist Adam MatyszkowiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist) and bassist Roman DylagFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Europe since 1964) drummer Billy BrooksFind albums by this artist. American trumpeter Idrees SuleimanFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist participate on selected tracks. The album presents five original compositions, three by Kawka and two by Parzynski, and four standards, three arranged by Parzynski and one by Kawka.
The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor, Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, and was recorded at the celebrated SABA studio in Villingen, Black Forest, where so many of the great European Jazz albums were recorded between mid-1960s and late 1970s. It was one of the first recordings of a Polish Jazz ensemble made outside is their country and across the Iron Curtain, which was a sensational occurrence at the time. Berendt, who was an avid Polish Jazz lover and supporter, helped the Polish Jazz scene tremendously during its hard times. Sadly he is rarely remembered today, which is of course a crying shame.
Musically as well and sonically this is definitely one of the best recordings by NOVI, recorded at their creative peak. Chronologically this was their second album, but since it was not released in Poland (and still is not available there) it is not usually counted as part of their Polish discography. Both the vocal and the instrumental parts are absolutely perfect and are part on the vocal Jazz canon, created earlier on by the French vocal Jazz ensembles Les Double SixFind albums by this artist and The Swingle SingersFind albums by this artist.
The original vinyl copy of this album is a mega-rare collectors´ item and is priced accordingly. This Japanese reissue is also pretty rare these days. For Polish Jazz collectors and faithful fans, this is an absolute must of course.
Side Note
The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet.
In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker.
Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace.
In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically.
Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.
| | Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 14/07/2017 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NOVI ~ TORPEDO (POLISH JAZZ VOL.87 DELUXE)
MUZA 1087 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2006
This is a reissue of the second album by the seminal vocal group NOVIFind albums by this artist, one of the most acclaimed Polish Jazz acts in the 1960s and 1970s, and one of the most influential vocal ensembles of all times. Led by the charismatic vocalist / composer / arranger Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist, the group also included the sensational female vocalist Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist and two more male vocalists / composers / arrangers: Janusz MychFind albums by this artist and Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist. Following the formula set by their sensational debut album, they perform original music composed and arranged by Kawka, Mych and Parzynski (except for one Classical piece).
The vocal quartet is accompanied by a superb instrumental team, which includes some of the best Polish Jazz musicians at the time, including pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as the Polish Radio Jazz Studio OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. The rich instrumental arrangements were one of the differences between NOVI and the earlier European Jazz vocal ensembles like Les Double SixFind albums by this artist or The Swingle SingersFind albums by this artist.
This album, as all early recordings by NOVI, is absolutely immune to the tides of time and sounds today as magnificent as it was at the time of its recording. NOVI definitely left a mark on the Jazz vocal idiom, setting an incredibly high standard, which sadly was later on followed by only very few similar ensembles.
Side Note: This is one of those Polish Jazz albums, released by the Polskie Nagrania / MuzaFind albums on this label label, which should have been released as part of the legendary "Polish Jazz" series at the time, but somehow never made it. From the historic perspective it definitely deserved to be a part of that series and this was partially corrected by this edition, as it is one of the items in the expanded "Polish Jazz Deluxe" series of reissues.
| | Updated: 13/10/2016Posted: 13/10/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STANKO – MAKOWICZ UNIT ~ STANKO – MAKOWICZ UNIT FEATURING CZESLAW BARTKOWSKI
B.FREE 6097 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2016
This is a reissue of the little known album by the Polish Jazz ensemble Stanko – Makowicz UnitFind albums by this artist, released originally by a small independent German label JGFind albums on this label Records. It is one of the two albums this ensemble recorded, the other one being the eponymous album released by the legendary Polish label PoljazzFind albums on this label, which to this day was not reissued on CD. On this album the ensemble is a trio with Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist on electric piano and Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist on drums, whereas the Poljazz album was recorded by a quartet with Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist on bass. Both albums have a completely different set of tunes on them. On this album the ensemble performs seven tunes, two each by Stanko and Makowicz, one credited to all three members of the ensemble and the remaining two being standards one each by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. The album´s artwork does not specify the date or place of the recording, except for stating that it was recorded in 1975, same as the Poljazz album. Since there is no applause one can assume it is a studio recording. Chronologically this album was recorded shortly before Stanko recorded his first album for ECMFind albums on this label ("BalladynaFind albums with this title" recorded December 1975), which was the jumpstart of his international career.
The music is typical of Stanko´s mid 1970s period, which marked his beautiful amalgamation of melody and Free Jazz excursions, dominated by his "dirty" hoarse sound, which was his trademark for many years. Makowicz, who was one of the leading pianists on the Polish scene at the time, before he left for the US, was an ideal partner for Stanko in this particular setup, using the electric piano he embraced while being a member of the Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist´s Fusion groups. Bartkowski, also a leading figure on the Polish scene, was a Master drummer and felt perfectly comfortable in any stylistic setting, supports the duo amicably.
Although the recording quality and the overall sound of this album is not as good as one might have hoped for, it is definitely perfectly acceptable, in contrast to what some "critics" wrote about this album over time. The same, or even more strongly, is valid as far as the musical contents and the playing are concerned, which are absolutely superb. This is one of the most intimate Stanko recordings ever, and his trumpet playing is leading the music boldly and authoritatively.
In retrospect this is a tremendous piece of history of the Polish / European Jazz and of course of Stanko´s contribution to the genre, as the leading Free Jazz trumpeter of the period. For Polish Jazz connoisseurs and Stanko followers this album is an absolute must have of course.
| | Updated: 28/04/2018Posted: 28/04/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ FUSION
COLUMBIA 5099706552529 (Barcode: 5099706552529) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 1998
This is a reissue of the first US album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, released originally on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label in 1974. The album was actually recorded in Germany in June of 1973 and released that year by CBSFind albums on this label on the European market under the title "Super ConstellationFind albums with this title", since the group was called Michal Urbaniak ConstellationFind albums by this artist. The US release added one track recorded in the US by Urbaniak with American musicians, which was used as the title track of that edition. The Constellation was a quintet which included also Urbaniak´s wife at the time, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, two keyboardists: Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, all top Polish Jazz musicians at the time. Constellation recorded also a live album in May of 1973, called "In ConcertFind albums with this title", which was released in Poland as Vol. 36 of the legendary Polish Jazz series, and included mostly live versions of the same material that is included on this album. The album presents seven original compositions, six by Urbaniak and one by Karolak.
The album is one of the most unique Fusion albums of all time, presenting a sensational amalgam of Fusion and Polish Folklore, pioneering the Jazz-World Fusion idiom light years ahead of anybody else. Dudziak´s vocalese pyrotechnics were completely innovative at the time and the double keyboards lineup, which allowed usage of early electronic wizardry, topped with Urbaniak´s idiosyncratic violin sound created a tapestry of sound unmatched by any other group on both sides of the pond.
The fact that Columbia released the album was truly surprising, as this music is completely European at its very core, which usually was way above the heads of American music industry executives. It took a Jewish Columbia executive Sol RabinowitzFind albums by this artist and his visionary openness to give Urbaniak a chance on the US scene, which sadly did not last for very long. Urbaniak recorded two more albums for Columbia: "AtmaFind albums with this title" (1974) and "Fusion IIIFind albums with this title" (1975) before the label gave him the boot.
In retrospect this album remains to this very day as one of the best Fusion albums ever recorded and is an essential chapter in Fusion history. It is also one of the best Polish Jazz albums of all time. Sadly Urbaniak did not manage to repeat the Artistic peak he reached on the Columbia recordings and although he is still active today, his triumphant days are long gone.
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: 30/07/2019 | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ FUSION III
WOUNDED BIRD 3542 (Barcode: 664140354227) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2012
This is a reissue of the third (and last) US album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, released originally on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label in 1975. In retrospect it is also one of the best Fusion albums ever recorded on this planet. Urbaniak, a veteran of the Polish Jazz scene, first came to prominence as the member of the legendary groups led by the Godfather of Polish Jazz, pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. While with Komeda, Urbaniak played the saxophone and switched to violin only after founding his own group in the late 1960s, when he also changed his musical direction from Modern / Free Jazz to Fusion, inspired by the groundbreaking innovations created at the time by Miles DavisFind albums by this artist.
In his group he included his wife, the extraordinary singer Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and together they quickly developed a completely unique type of Fusion, which was light years ahead of anything else happening in that genre at the time anywhere in the world. Mixing Jazz, Rock, Folklore and Avant-Garde vocals, they established a completely new approach to composition and multilayered complexity, as documented on the two albums the group recorded as part of the legendary "Polish Jazz" series of albums, which was simply brilliant.
Frustrated by the state of affairs in his country, which suffered under a Socialist Regime and harsh economic conditions, Urbaniak, like most of his colleagues, constantly looked for an opportunity to leave Poland and establish a career behind the Iron Curtain. He managed initially to record a couple of albums in West Germany for the SpiegeleiFind albums on this label label, but the real break came when Columbia offered him a recording deal. He and his wife left Poland and settled in the USA, as did several other Polish Jazz musicians at the time, like his ex group member pianist / composer Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist for example.
The three albums Urbaniak recorded for Columbia (and several more for other US labels, especially the dazzling "Funk FactoryFind albums with this title" album recorded shortly after this one and also reissued on Wounded BirdFind albums on this label) were outstanding and simply much better than anything the local scene could muster, but unfortunately Urbaniak´s US career never really took off, same as the careers of all other Polish Jazz musicians who tried to make it there, in spite of their immense talents. The reason was simply the narrow-mindedness of the US Jazz community (listeners and critics alike), which considered Jazz to be exclusively an American Art Form and failed to recognize anything originating outside of the US as artistically valid and meaningful, even if it hit them in the face.
On this album Urbaniak is accompanied by top US Fusion players like guitarist John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, bassist Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, as well as Polish compatriot keyboardist Wlodek GulgowskiFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist guests on one track, guitarist Joe CaroFind albums by this artist guests on another and Polish vocalist Bernard KafkaFind albums by this artist guests on yet another track. Drummer Gerald BrownFind albums by this artist replaces Gadd on two tracks. Dudziak´s vocals are simply out of this world and alone are worth listening to this album repeatedly.
Urbaniak wrote almost all the dazzling music except for three tracks: a Dudziak improvisation, a superb composition by Polish saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, which fits this album´s mood like a glove and one tune by Gulgowski.
As already said, this is timeless, heavenly, unparalleled music, which I´ve been listening to in the last almost 40 years without any trace of getting tired by it any time soon. This is an absolutely essential Fusion music, and anybody who has not heard this music does not know the true meaning of Fusion. God bless Wounded Bird for finally releasing this divine album on CD!
| | Updated: 11/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ INACTIN
UBX 1020 (Barcode: 888174593128) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of the second album recorded for the small German label SpiegeleiFind albums on this label by the ensemble headed by Polish Jazz saxophonist / violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. The ensemble included also Urbaniak´s wife at the time, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman DylagFind albums by this artist, drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist and Yugoslav percussionist Branislav KovacevFind albums by this artist. The album includes seven tracks, all composed by Urbaniak.
This album has several similarities to the live album Urbaniak and his ensemble recorded in 1973 in Poland, released as part of the legendary Polish Jazz series (Vol. 36) and entitled "In ConcertFind albums with this title", which in retrospect was one of Polish Jazz most significant and pivotal recordings and a giant milestone towards the discovery of Jazz-Rock Fusion on the local scene. Those two albums share several of the compositions and almost identical core lineup and most importantly the unique stylistic approach, which mixed Jazz, Rock, Electronics and Free Jazz in a way never previously attempted.
The Spiegelei contact, which also produced the album "Paratyphus BFind albums with this title" recorded a year earlier with the same lineup except for Pawel JarzebskFind albums by this artisti on bass, happened as a result of the success Urbaniak achieved in Europe touring there extensively in the early 1970s, which culminated with his appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971 and winning there a first prize as instrumentalist, at the time still playing the saxophone. The switch to violin, which was Urbaniak´s original instrument, changed his career dramatically and marked the new period in his career. The entire period marks a turbulent time for Urbaniak and Dudziak, with their dramatic emigration to USA soon after.
The music Urbaniak´s group created was definitely one of the most innovative and adventurous experiments done at the time, surely by any musicians originating from behind the Iron Curtain. The freedom of expression, which originated in the Free Jazz, mixed with the use of electric instruments and electronic voice enhancements, emerged as some of the most exciting sounds then, and to same extent even today, almost four decades later. Urbaniak used Polish folk motifs and uneven meters to make things even more exciting and Dudziak´s visionary usage of the human voice was eons ahead of its time.
In retrospect the two Spiegelei albums and the three albums Urbaniak recorded for ColumbiaFind albums on this label in the USA during the years immediately after his arrival there remain to this very day as his strongest statements, with the body of work created by him and his groups in the early 1970s being unsurpassed.
The sonic quality of this album is rather Lo-Fi in today´s standards and it’s a pity that a proper remastering effort was not attempted. The album´s liner notes are pretty sketchy and such significant reissue surely deserves much better. Nevertheless this is an iconic piece of music and as such deserves to be listened to today, after being unavailable for a scandalously long period of time.
| | Updated: 01/06/2018Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ SOUND PIECES
MOOSICUS 1223 (Barcode: 885513122322) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2023
This is an expanded 3CD reissue / remaster of the two albums, “Paratyphus BFind albums with this title” and “InactinFind albums with this title”, recorded for the small German label SpiegeleiFind albums on this label by the ensemble headed by Polish Jazz saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. The ensemble included also Urbaniak´s wife at the time, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, bassists Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist (on the 1st album) and Roman DylagFind albums by this artist (on the 2nd album), drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist and Yugoslav percussionist Branislav KovacevFind albums by this artist. The 1st album included five tracks, four by Urbaniak and one by Makowicz, and the 2nd album included seven tracks, all composed by Urbaniak. Both albums are now combined as the twelve tracks of CD1.
CD2 and CD3 of this album present three tracks each, recorded live by Radio Bremen during a club performance on January 21, 1972, a few months before the two studio albums were recorded, and later released in 1973. The material covers the same material that was later recorded in the studio. The lineup playing live is the same as on “Paratyphus B”, except for Kovacev, who is not present.
“Inactin” has several similarities to the live album Urbaniak and his ensemble recorded in 1973 in Poland, released as part of the legendary Polish Jazz series (Vol. 36) and entitled "In ConcertFind albums with this title", which in retrospect was one of Polish Jazz most significant and pivotal recordings and a giant milestone towards the discovery of Jazz-Rock Fusion on the local scene. Those two albums share several of the compositions and almost identical core lineup and most importantly the unique stylistic approach, which mixed Jazz, Rock, Electronics and Free Jazz in a way never previously attempted.
The Spiegelei contact, which produced the two albums, happened as a result of the success Urbaniak achieved in Europe touring there extensively in the early 1970s, which culminated with his appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971 and winning there a first prize as instrumentalist, at the time still playing the saxophone. The switch to violin, which was Urbaniak´s original instrument, changed his career dramatically and marked the new period in his career. The entire period marks a turbulent time for Urbaniak and Dudziak, with their dramatic emigration to USA soon after.
The music Urbaniak´s group created was definitely one of the most innovative and adventurous experiments done at the time, surely by any musicians originating from behind the Iron Curtain. The freedom of expression, which originated in the Free Jazz, mixed with the use of electric instruments and electronic voice enhancements, emerged as some of the most exciting sounds then, and to same extent even today, almost five decades later. Urbaniak used Polish folk motifs and uneven meters to make things even more exciting and Dudziak´s visionary usage of the human voice was eons ahead of its time. In retrospect her performances on this album remain unmatched to this very day, again five decades later.
In retrospect the two Spiegelei albums and the three albums Urbaniak recorded for ColumbiaFind albums on this label in the USA during the years immediately after his arrival there remain to this very day as his strongest statements, with the body of work created by him and his groups in the early 1970s being unsurpassed.
The album´s liner notes are pretty sketchy and such significant reissue surely deserves much better. Nevertheless, this is an iconic piece of music and as such deserves to be listened to today, after being unavailable for a scandalously long period of time.
Overall, this album is a dramatic statement in Jazz history, serving as a beacon to the fact that by the time it was recorded, Jazz development moved from America to Europe, never to return again. This music is so much advanced over anything happening beyond the pond, already at that time, and the fact that it originates from Easter Europe, from behind the Iron Curtain, proves that it has been finally liberated from American supremacy, or even perhaps enslavement. Any Jazz lover, who is not aware of this music, and sadly a vast majority is in that position, has very little understanding as what Jazz Music is all about.
| | Updated: 16/02/2024Posted: 16/02/2024 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK / CONSTELLATION ~ IN CONCERT (POLISH JAZZ VOL.36)
POWER BROS 00119 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 1993
This is a reissue of the second album on the legendary "Polish Jazz" series by the Polish saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. A veteran Polish Jazz musician, Urbaniak was a member of the legendary ensembles led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, where he played the saxophone, but by the early 1970 he switched to the violin and plunged into Jazz-Rock Fusion, rapidly becoming one of the most inventive and creative pioneers of the genre.
This album and the albums recorded in Germany and later in the USA are absolute Fusion milestones, but also stand out as completely unique in their approach to the genre. Urbaniak combined the marvelous abilities of his wife Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and her extraordinary and experimental vocalese technique with his common usage of Polish Folklore motifs, creating a superb and completely unparalleled Fusion music.
This live recording captures his baseless / double keyboard ensemble, which also includes organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Urbaniak, is simply out of this world, brilliant and fresh, absolutely resistant to the tides of time and fashion. In retrospect one can only regret that Fusion followed mostly the direction of flashy virtuosic display of neck-breaking guitar races rather than the direction proposed by Urbaniak´s Fusion, but it´s unfortunately too late now. At least we can savor this music, 40 years after it was recorded, well aged and beautifully eternal. A must!
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK / CONSTELLATION ~ IN CONCERT (POLISH JAZZ VOL.36)
MUZA 1036 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2005
This is a reissue of the second album on the legendary "Polish Jazz" series by the Polish saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. A veteran Polish Jazz musician, Urbaniak was a member of the legendary ensembles led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, where he played the saxophone, but by the early 1970 he switched to the violin and plunged into Jazz-Rock Fusion, rapidly becoming one of the most inventive and creative pioneers of the genre.
This album and the albums recorded in Germany and later in the USA are absolute Fusion milestones, but also stand out as completely unique in their approach to the genre. Urbaniak combined the marvelous abilities of his wife Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and her extraordinary and experimental vocalese technique with his common usage of Polish Folklore motifs, creating a superb and completely unparalleled Fusion music.
This live recording captures his baseless / double keyboard ensemble, which also includes organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Urbaniak, is simply out of this world, brilliant and fresh, absolutely resistant to the tides of time and fashion. In retrospect one can only regret that Fusion followed mostly the direction of flashy virtuosic display of neck-breaking guitar races rather than the direction proposed by Urbaniak´s Fusion, but it´s unfortunately too late now. At least we can savor this music, 40 years after it was recorded, well aged and beautifully eternal. A must!
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK / GROUP ~ LIVE RECORDING (POLISH JAZZ VOL. 24)
MUZA 924 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2004
This is a reissue of the first album on the legendary "Polish Jazz" series by the Polish saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. This live recording presents this phenomenal Polish Jazz artist in the state of transition. Not only is his music moving away from the modern Jazz into early electric Fusion, but he also changes his primary instrument from saxophone to violin. His quartet includes the great pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, who was the first to introduce electric keyboards in the Polish Jazz. In many respects this music is as revolutionary on the Polish jazz scene as the things Miles DavisFind albums by this artist did on the global one. A superb document and a visionary creation.
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.26
POLSKIE RADIO 2058 (Barcode: 5907812247119) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2016
This is the twenty-sixth installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The tracks presented here were recorded live in December 1965 during the eighth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event.
The first five tracks present the great British vocalist Annie RossFind albums by this artist, who revolutionized the vocal Jazz idiom as a member of the legendary trio Lambert, Hendricks & RossFind albums by this artist, which she left in late 1962 to start her solo career. She is accompanied by a trio consisting of Polish pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and Swedish drummer Rune CarlssonFind albums by this artist. All the songs are Jazz standards.
The next four tracks present the great Polish vocal ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist in their earliest incarnation as a quintet, which includes in addition to their leader Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist also Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist, Janusz MychFind albums by this artist, Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist and Aleksander GluchFind albums by this artist, who left the ensemble before they recorded their debut album Bossa NovaFind albums with this title in 1967. NOVI modeled their vocal style on earlier vocal Jazz ensembles like Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and their tracks appearing immediately following the Ross´s tracks is symbolic. NOVI are accompanied by pianist Adam MatyszkowiczFind albums by this artist (Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist), bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. All the tracks are vocal arrangements of Jazz standards.
The next three tracks present a quartet led by legendary Polish Jazz pianist / trombonist / composer Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist with guitarist Janusz SidorenkoFind albums by this artist, bassist Edward DylagFind albums by this artist (older brother of Roman DylagFind albums by this artist, who is mistakenly listed here) and drummer Jerzy BartzFind albums by this artist. The rare appearance of Kurylewicz playing the trombone is one of the highlights of this album. They perform a couple of adaptations, one of a classical piece by Polish composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist and the other of a folk tune and finally one original composition by Kurylewicz.
The last two tracks present a quartet led by legendary Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist with pianist Wojciech Karolak, bassist Juliusz Sandecki (here misspelled as Janusz), and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform on original composition by Wroblewski and an extended version of a Miles DavisFind albums by this artist classic.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 03/12/2016Posted: 02/12/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.30
POLSKIE RADIO 2063 (Barcode: 5907812244026) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2017
This is the thirtieth installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The tracks presented here were recorded live in October 1966 during the ninth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the second volume of a collection of tracks from that event.
The first ten tracks present the legendary French vocal group The Swingle SingersFind albums by this artist, led by Ward SwingleFind albums by this artist (an American in Paris) and including seven more vocalists. The vocal octet is accompanied by bassist Guy PedersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. In contrast to the earlier iconic French vocal ensemble Les Double SixFind albums by this artist (which included several of the Swingle Singers members earlier on), which sung vocal versions of Jazz standards, The Swingle Singers performed mostly vocal Jazz arrangements of Classical Music pieces, by Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist, Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist and others. The tracks present here are all in this particular idiom.
The next two tracks present a trio led by American organist Lou BennettFind albums by this artist, who moved to Paris in 1960. The other members of the trio are: Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist and Italian drummer Franco ManzecchiFind albums by this artist. These tracks are of interest as early examples of Catherine´s playing before he started his illustrious solo career.
The last track presents a Polish Jazz quartet led by saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Adam MatyszkowiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist), bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform an original composition by Namyslowski, recorded on his debut Polish album by the same lineup.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 07/07/2017Posted: 07/07/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN PTASZYN WROBLEWSKI ~ SPRZEDAWCY GLONOW (POLISH JAZZ VOL.90 DELUXE)
MUZA 1090 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1971 - 1973 Released: 2006
This relatively little known brilliant album presents Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist mainly in the capacity as the director of the Polish Radio Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, a superb collection of top musicians, which functioned as a catalyst and incubator to generations of Polish Jazz musicians as well as a first rate workshop and recording platform. Wroblewski, one of Polish Jazz veterans and Godfathers, led the orchestra for many years with great success and these recordings prove how great it really was. He also composed three of the six extended compositions included here with the other three composed by Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist each contributing one composition. The arrangements are absolutely brilliant as are the performances, with the orchestra fronted as such first rate soloists like Stanko, Namyslowski, Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist (playing sax on one track and violin on another), Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist and of course Wroblewski himself, in short the crème de la crème of the Polish Jazz scene at the time. The music is very modern and even borders on Free at times, presenting very rare examples of Jazz orchestra accompanying a freely improvising soloist. This album is an absolute must to all Polish Jazz lovers and in retrospect is of the best Polish Jazz albums ever recorded. Grab it!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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