Record Reviews

BEMIBEM ~ BEMOWE FRAZY (POLISH JAZZ VOL.96 DELUXE) MUZA 1096 (Barcode: 5907783420962) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 Released: 2007 This is the only album by the Polish Jazz-Rock ensemble BemiBemFind albums by this artist, which was formed by the siblings Ewa BemFind albums by this artist and Aleksander BemFind albums by this artist, both vocalists and percussionists. The group was formed after the ensemble BemibekFind albums by this artist fell apart and the Bems remained as leaders of the new one. Aleksander composed nine of the eleven songs included here, which are all very melodic and quite sophisticated. The music is a mixture of Pop, Rock and Jazz, featuring excellent vocal harmonies accompanied by a great band and guest musicians like guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Jan JarczykFind albums by this artist and others. The vocal parts are somewhat similar to the style pioneered by the great Polish vocal ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist. In retrospect this album is an overlooked gem, almost forgotten, but still sounding great after all these years. Although only marginally Jazz as such, it has a lot of Jazzy influences, which are clearly evident in the arrangement, instrumental backing and overall attitude. Ewa Bem would of course carry on becoming the First Lady of the Polish Jazz in the next decade, with this album being a nice reminder of the times when we were all much younger and innocent. It was an immense fun to listen to this album again after all those years and it remains to be a source of great musical fun. A must!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR FIGIEL ~ PIOTR GAD 102 (Barcode: 5903068120411) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the debut album by Polish Jazz keyboardist / composer Piotr FigielFind albums by this artist, which was largely overlooked at the time of its release and later became a highly sought-after collector´s item. The album was recorded by Figiel playing the Hammond organ and with an excellent team of musicians that included guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Marian SiejkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist. Legendary Polish Jazz figures: trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist and saxophonist / flautist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist guest each on one track, and no less prominent vocal group BemibekFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The rest of the team (mostly brass players) remains anonymous, as the exact details about the session disappeared into the void. The original album presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Figiel, one is an arrangement of a Classical composition by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and finally one is by Wojciech PietowskiFind albums by this artist, who was the sound engineer recording the album and a prominent composer. This reissue adds two alternate takes as bonus tracks. The music is absolutely brilliant, from start to finish, incorporating early Progressive Rock and Fusion explorations, soaked in the sublime sound of the Hammond organ – somewhere between Procol HarumFind albums by this artist and Jimmy SmithFind albums by this artist. Figiel´s original composition are grandiose, wonderfully melodic and full of sublime lyricism, and his treatment of the Chopin piece puts most of the countless attempts by Polish Jazz musicians to something similar completely to shame. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Polish Jazz / Fusion hidden gems and GADFind albums on this label Records deserves the gratitude of all Polish Jazz fans for bringing it back to life. It is had to believe that music recorded five decades ago can be so up to date and fresh, completely timeless and aesthetically perfect. Hearing is believing in this case… Of all the wonderful reissues on GAD Records this is definitely one of my all time favorites!

Updated: 09/03/2020Posted: 09/03/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SHOW BAND ~ DNO PRZESTRZENI GAD 072 (Barcode: 5901549197976) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018 This is the second archival album with previously unreleased material by the Polish trio Show BandFind albums by this artist, led by bassist Anatol WojdynaFind albums by this artist, which also included keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist (ex-Klan) and drummer / violinist Jan MazurekFind albums by this artist (ex-BreakoutFind albums by this artist, QuorumFind albums by this artist). Percussionist Aleksander BemFind albums by this artist (ex-BemibekFind albums by this artist) appears as a guest musician. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wojdyna. The music is a mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion, Funk, Soul and Groove, all on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but presenting solid compositions and excellent musical skills by the musicians. In retrospect the music sounds a bit dated due to the retro sound / ambience, but followers of Polish Funk should be delighted by this material, exactly in the same manner as with the previously released album by this trio. After recording this material, which was originally recorded as library music for the Polish Film Chronicle, the trio fell apart and the musicians followed separate paths. In retrospect this album is a nice collection of Polish Funk, which over four decades later still finds new followers all over the world, in spite of the fact that it is almost completely unknown. Another great find by GADFind albums on this label Records, which keeps great music safe from oblivion.

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: 17/04/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend