Record Reviews

WALDEMAR KNADE ~ STORIES NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish violist / keyboardist / composer Waldemar KnadeFind albums by this artist, recorded with some long-time musical friends mostly from the Polish Avant-Garde Jazz and Rock scene, such as vocalist / lyricist Jorgos SkoliasFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Jerzy MazzollFind albums by this artist, guitarist Lukasz FijalkowskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist, bassists Michal RybkaFind albums by this artist and Bogdan MizerskiFind albums by this artist, vocalist Ewelina WizentasFind albums by this artist and turntablist DJ Paulo B.O.K.Find albums by this artist The album presents seventeen relatively short tracks, all composed and some co-composed by Knade and the participating musicians, with the vocal tracks featuring lyrics mostly written by Skolias. The music is a fabulous atmospheric / ambient trip, full of mysticism and emotional tension, with subtle melodic themes, which are often more subconscious than actually specifically stated. Jazz, theatrical recitation, ambient electronic music and some Funky pulsations are all amalgamated into a diabolic / angelic magic potion, which the listener is treated to while submitting his mind to the music. There are many instrumental gems spread along the way, with Mazzoll improvising sublimely on bass and metal clarinets and Knade fiddling away enchantingly, and with divine vocal practices by Skolias and Wizentas, which are no less that blood curdling. Whether deeply religious or profoundly atheistic, which of course is entirely up to the listener, this music is simply way too engaging to be ignored emotionally. I see so often the phrase “spiritual music” being endlessly abused and misused by music critics, but in this case this is simply no other but spiritual music. I find it truly inspirational, encouraging and even life / sanity saving to see that people still engage in creating music like this today, when crawling through musical slime is the norm. Listening to this music is simply a deeply healing experience. Overall, this is an exceptional, highly spiritual piece of Avant-Garde Jazz, performed by some of the best Polish Jazz and Avant-Garde musicians, which delivers a fresh, exhilarating and completely unique aural experience of epic proportions. I am eternally grateful to all the participant and proud to be able to call some of them my Friends. I can only hope this music could be heard by every person on this crazy planet.

Updated: 08/04/2023Posted: 08/04/2023

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