Record Reviews

ZBIGNIEW CHOJNACKI ~ ELEKTROTROPIZM FOR TUNE 0076 (Barcode: 5902768701784) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish accordionist / composer Zbigniew ChojnackiFind albums by this artist, which presents him playing solo accordion with some use of electronics. The album comprises of six tracks, all composed by Chojnacki, four of which are part of a suite and the other two are unrelated. From the very first moments of this album it becomes immediately apparent that Chojnacki presents a completely unconventional and novel approach to accordion as far as playing the instrument is concerned, as well as making music in general. The fascinating sounds he is able to produce are absolutely stunning, but even more so is the music, which takes the listener on a transcendental journey toward new and unchartered sound vistas. This music is so different and so engulfing that when listening to it for the first time the listener is completely left to his own frame of reference, as nothing is able to prepare him to what this music has to offer. A deeper analysis and later reflection allows one to understand the path this music takes, from the traditional role of the accordion in European music towards its influence in World Music, Jazz and other areas, via such notable accordion and bandoneón players like Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist, Dino SaluzziFind albums by this artist, Art Van DammeFind albums by this artist and others. We use the terms "groundbreaking" and "innovative" way too often, but his music truly deserves to be described in these terms. It presents a completely new frame of reference as far as accordion is concerned and by the time this music reaches the audience the meaning of this term will be completely transferred. Breakthroughs of this magnitude are way too far apart and it is a privilege to witness one of them in real time. The way Chojnacki plays his instrument brings fond associations of the 1960s, when the great Jazz pioneers were taking bold steps like those taken on this album. Sadly, half a Century later, musicians are ready to push the boundaries of known universe only very rarely. This album is one of such rare occasions.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SINGERS UNLIMITED / ART VAN DAMME ~ INVITATION MPS 4029759097464 (Barcode: 4029759097464) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the 5th album by American vocal quartet The Singers UnlimitedFind albums by this artist, which comprised of Gene PuerlingFind albums by this artist, Don SheltonFind albums by this artist, Len DresslarFind albums by this artist and Bonnie HermanFind albums by this artist. The group was discovered by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist, owner of the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label Records, who produced, recorded and released most of their albums between 1971 and 1977. On this album they are accompanied by the American accordionist Art Van DammeFind albums by this artist (a pioneering Jazz accordionist) and a dreamy team comprising of top German Jazz players: guitarist Sigi SchwabFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Heribert ThusekFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Charly AntoliniFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eleven popular songs and Jazz standards, carefully arranged for the vocal and instrumental ensembles. Although this album presents the lighter side of the Jazz idiom, it is far from being trivial. Singers Unlimited was one of the top vocal Jazz quartets at the time and had very little competition in their highly sophisticated multilayered vocal arrangements, except the Polish ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist Singers. The instrumental work is also a living proof of the level of European Jazz players at the time, which was not inferior to anything coming from across the pond. This album is a great fun to listen to, even though decades passed since it was recorded. Fans of vocal Jazz and especially vocal ensembles which sung in perfect harmony as if they were created by a multi-mouthed being should have a field day with this music. I suppose there are not too many accordion Jazz fans around, but those few out there will find this to be an absolute must. 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: 21/01/2025Posted: 01/07/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend