Record Reviews

KRZYSZTOF KLENCZON / TRZY KORONY ~ THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS 1970-1972 KAMELEON 29 / 30 ~ POLAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1972 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of the only solo album recorded in Poland by legendary vocalist / guitarist / composer / bandleader Krzysztof KlenczonFind albums by this artist, who was a founding member of Poland´s most popular Pop group in the 1960s, Czerwone GitaryFind albums by this artist. Klenczon was the group´s leader and principal songwriter from 1967 until 1970, when he left the group to pursue a solo career. Many of his songs recorded by Czerwone Gitary are among the Polish Pop evergreens still popular in Poland almost fifty years later. After leaving the group Klenczon recorded the eponymous album with his new group Trzy KoronyFind albums by this artist, which also featured his cousin guitarist Ryszard KlenczonFind albums by this artist, bassist Grzegorz AndrianFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek SlazykFind albums by this artist, soon to be replaced by Piotr StajkowskiFind albums by this artist. The group also recorded several sessions for the Polish Radio and all these recordings are collected here as bonus tracks on the first CD and the entire second CD. A bonus DVD with two video clips recorded for the Polish TV is also included. Klenczon left Poland in 1973 for the USA, where he continued his musical career and died tragically in a car accident in 1981. Listening to this album makes it immediately clear why Klenczon left Czerwone Gitary, as the material he recorded on this album has a much "harder" edge than the soft and melodic Pop the group created in the 1960s. Fuzz and distorted guitar solos and typical Rock rhythms prevail here, although his compositions (almost all the tracks on this album, with just three exceptions, were composed by Klenczon) remain mostly very melodic and somewhat melancholic, which always characterized his compositions. The Rocky arrangements basically do not change the true nature of these songs, which deep down remain quite serene and romantic. It is obvious that Klenczon had a great sense of melody and his songwriting was second to none. Many of the bonus tracks show Klenczon returning to the Pop formula rather than pursuing the Rock side of his music. In retrospect, however, this material sounds dated and lost much of its charm in the process of aging. The music lacks focus and often sounds like Pop dressed up in Rock arrangements, rather than true Rock. There are some great moments here, but overall this album is probably exciting mostly to Klenczon´s die hard fans and nostalgic listeners. The production of the reissue, with so much bonus material, great packaging and informative liner notes is, as usual with the Kameleon label, first rate. The music, however, although an important chapter of the Polish Pop / Rock story, suffers greatly from the passage of time. But of course many listeners will find this album indispensible.

2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ANNA SERAFINSKA ~ GADU GADU (SPECIAL EDITION) POMATON 5099944044626 (Barcode: 5099944044626) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2005 - 2012 Released: 2012 This is the fourth album by Polish Jazz / Pop singer Anna SerafinskaFind albums by this artist. It includes fourteen songs, all of which feature the lyrics by the great Polish poetess and lyricist Agnieszka OsieckaFind albums by this artist. The music was composed mainly by Seweryn KrajewskiFind albums by this artist (ex-Czerwone GitaryFind albums by this artist), one of Poland´s most remarkable songwriters. The other composers include several leading Polish Jazz figures like Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist and others. The music was arranged by Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who also plays piano and other musicians include bassist Adam KowalewskiFind albums by this artist (who plays some mean fretless bass parts), drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as a string quartet. The original album was released in 2006 and this special edition, released in 2012, adds two songs newly recorded with Anna´s new group called Groove MachineFind albums by this artist. The album has a great potential and seemingly all the right ingredients: first-class songs, wonderful lyrics, skilful arrangements and excellent musicianship, and yet although it is pleasant and overall enjoyable, it is also quite forgettable. Stylistically it sort of "sits on the fence" between Pop and Jazz, being both too close to Pop to be considered Jazz and too Jazzy to be a straightforward Pop. Herdzin´s arrangements push it consistently towards Latin grooves and mainstream Jazz settings, but the result is all over the place and feels somehow uneasy. I understand that Serafinska has quite a following in Poland, but this is the second album of hers that I listened to and she leaves me stone cold. Fortunately she sticks to Polish lyrics on this album, avoiding the problems of struggling with a foreign language, but her vocals simply don´t do it for me, which of course is completely my fault. In my ears her vocal range is somewhat limited and the emotional expressiveness just doesn´t cut it for me (again), although she does have a good feel for groove, which explains what she does with her new band. Of course there are some superb moments here and the album is a nice listening experience, which can be enjoyed by many listeners across the genre borders. I sort of hoped it would be more than that.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JANUSZ SZROM / ZBIGNIEW WROMBEL ~ SPIEWNIK NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 9788393067480) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012 This is quite an unusual project, which transfers fifteen Pop / Rock songs written in Poland in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s into modern Jazz arrangements. The songs are performed by Jazz vocalist Janusz SzromFind albums by this artist and a piano trio which consists of pianist Piotr WrombelFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist (see SoundcheckFind albums by this artist). All the songs have been intelligently arranged for the Jazz environment, sounding as if they were taken from the Standards songbook. Of course for listeners, who are familiar with popular music originating in Poland at that period and performed by local superstars like Czeslaw NiemenFind albums by this artist, BreakoutFind albums by this artist, Niebiesko-CzarniFind albums by this artist, Czerwone GitaryFind albums by this artist and other legendary performers, this album has also a strong nostalgic angle, which is not a priori negative. Most people living outside of Poland have very little knowledge about the incredible musical scene that flourished there during the dark days of the Socialist regime, State censorship and bureaucratic dictatorship, which often saw in Pop & Rock music the enemy of the "People" and much as a subversive force that endangered the very fabric of society. And yet, against all odds, Polish musicians and writers managed to produce an incredible amount of wonderful music, which sadly gets often forgotten these days, where instant success is the name of the game. Projects such as this one are a blessing, bringing this music back into life and showing how timeless true Art really is. Of course the Jazzy arrangements and execution change the original environment, in which these songs were born. However, due to the intelligent and careful approach demonstrated by this album´s creators these songs still sound magnificently up to date, losing absolutely nothing of their original power and intrinsic beauty. As far as individual contributions are concerned, this album is full of simply splendid musicianship. Szrom sings with his usual confidence and expressiveness, Piotr Wrombel masterfully states the melodic themes and accompanies the vocals with exceptional sensitivity. Zbigniew Wrombel is a virtuosic bassist and his warm and full sound is the platform upon which the entire music stands. Szmanda, as usual manages to combine freedom of expression and a sixth sense of rhythm. Overall this is a wonderful album in every respect. Superb music, excellent performances, great sound quality and most importantly an obvious love and respect towards the subject matter. One can only salute these musicians for carrying this project out and for adding one more brick to the pedestal of Polish Cultural heritage. Hats off!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend