Record Reviews
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  | BREAKOUT ~ BLUES
MUZA 940 (Barcode: 5907783499401) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2005
3rd album by Polish group BreakoutFind albums by this artist is one of the most influential albums, not only in Poland but in the entire Easter European music scene. Separated from the West by the Iron Curtain, Eastern European musicians and fans alike had little opportunity to hear album released "on the other side" and therefore relied primarily on whatever was available to them. Poland led the way in music in the 1960s and 1970s not only in Jazz, which flourished there, but also in Rock and Blues-Rock, as well as early Progressive Rock. Albums by NiemenFind albums by this artist, Poland´s most influential Rock / Prog / Jazz-Rock Fusion figure and later on also this album, served as the "musical bible" for generations of Eastern European musicians to study, copy and be inspired by. Breakout, led by vocalist / guitarist / composer Tadeusz NalepaFind albums by this artist, included also lead guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist, harmonica player Tadeusz TrzcinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jerzy GoleniewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Józef HajdaszFind albums by this artist. The lyrics were written by Polish poet Bogdan LoeblFind albums by this artist, who was the band´s resident lyricist. This album is a superb example of Blues-Rock, with absolutely stunning guitar work by Kozakiewicz, which resulted in it being referred to as the Polish version of the legendary John MayallFind albums by this artist´s "Bluesbreakers With Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title" album, being surely as influential as that seminal release. In retrospect the album lost absolutely nothing of its power and beauty and hopefully some Rock-Blues enthusiasts around the world will discover it eventually. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Essential 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 |
  | ZBIGNIEW NAMYSLOWSKI ~ AIR CONDITION
POLJAZZ / ANEX 317 (Barcode: 5907513047728) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2009
One of the Godfathers of Polish Jazz, saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, remained firmly in the position of the leading Jazz figure in his country for several generations. Starting in the early 1960s as member of the legendary Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist quintet and later leading his own groups, Namyslowski kept his ears open constantly to follow the developments on the ever changing worldwide Jazz scene and his groups always included young talented players, who became his disciples. The group Air ConditionFind albums by this artist included the immensely talented keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Krzysztof ScieranskiFind albums by this artist and an extended percussion section, and played a kind of Jazz-Funk, which could move an elephant´s ass, not falling behind any of the US groups playing in the same vein. This album was intended for the US market, where it was released (along with several other Polish Jazz albums) by the Inner CityFind albums on this label label, admittedly without much commercial success. As usual, Americans were simply not ready to recognize any kind of Jazz happening outside of their home turf. In retrospect, this album is still a lot of fun and as Funky as they get. Sendecki´s keyboard wizardry is stunning, as always, and the leader plays plenty of nasty sax chops. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZBIGNIEW NAMYSLOWSKI ~ FOLLOW YOU KITE
WARNER MUSIC POLAND 190296307577 (Barcode: 190296307577) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2022
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by the Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader and a Godfather figure on the local scene, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with his sextet called Air ConditionFind albums by this artist, which also included keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Krzysztof ScieranskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Wojciech KowalewskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jerzy TanskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader.
The album was one of the very few Polish Jazz recordings released at the time, which were not included in the legendary “Polish Jazz” series, and was now released in the new “Polish Jazz Masters” series.
The music is all on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, supposedly part of the flourishing Fusion movement, that arrived in Poland a bit later than in Europe and even in other countries behind the Iron Curtain. Namyslowski, deeply rooted in the modern Jazz and Jazz-World Fusion genres, embraced Fusion following his short stint in the US, but that love affair was short lived. The same lineup recorded the same year another album, with included different material, called simply “Air ConditionFind albums with this title”, which was released by the PoljazzFind albums on this label label and also by Inner City in the US.
But as always with Namyslowski, he was able to weave immensely beautiful tunes, with strong melodic lines, which were ideal vehicles for his sidemen to show their chops. The absolute star of this album is the very young and insanely talented keyboardist Wladyslaw Sendecki, who was to become one of top polish Jazz pianists in the years to come. His keyboards parts, especially those played on the acoustic piano, are still absolutely stunning. Although Namyslowski was not a Fusion player, Scieranski was the epitome of Funk, and his bass playing is what gives this album the Fusiony tinge. Kozakiewicz, who is a brilliant Blues / Blues-Rock guitarist, is sadly lost here as this musical environment is not really his cup of tea.
Overall, this is a very nice historic Polish Jazz album, with great tunes and excellent performances by these splendid musicians, which is always great to return to, when in a nostalgic mood. The music lost nothing of its slick musicality and the reissue is a great tribute to Namyslowski, who sadly died in 2022.
| | Updated: 11/04/2023Posted: 11/04/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SWIADECTWO DOJRZALOSCI ~ HULAJ DUSZA
GAD 043 (Barcode: 5901549197563) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2016
This is an archival album presenting material recorded by an excellent but sadly short-lived Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Swiadectwo DojrzalosciFind albums by this artist, which consisted of saxophonist Szczepan DudekFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Krzysztof OrlowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist (BreakoutFind albums by this artist, TestFind albums by this artist), bassist Wojciech BruslikFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech MorawskiFind albums by this artist. The material originates from a radio session which produced five tracks and a live performance at the Jazz Nad Odra Festival which produced four tracks, both from 1977. Overall the album presents six original compositions (since three are repeated twice in studio and live versions), five by Bruslik and one by Kozakiewicz.
Both the music and the execution are truly excellent from start to finish and the album is a hidden gem of Polish Fusion, which finally is able to reach a wider audience. Although the live tracks were released on vinyl at the time, they are long lost and with the addition of the radio recordings this album finally pays proper homage to this splendid group.
The music is very melodic and presents well written themes, which are ideal vehicles for the improvisations by the group members. The funky rhythm section supports the saxophone, guitar and keyboards solos amicably and the music moves forward elegantly and intelligently, which is typical of European Fusion bands, which put sophistication and harmonic complexity ahead of flashy instrumental show-off.
Kozakiewicz is the most surprising soloist on this album since his guitar work is as brilliant as ever, sadly being rather a rarity in the Polish Jazz, Rock and Blues recorded legacies, although he definitely is the best Polish guitar player of all times.
This is another blessing bestowed upon the Polish music lovers by the splendid GADFind albums on this label Records label, which manages time after time to uncover hidden treasures, which are all more than worthy to be available to the wide public. Considering the superb quality of the music and the great sound quality, this album is an absolute gem!
| | Updated: 08/03/2020Posted: 17/03/2017 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | TEST ~ Z ARCHIWUM POLSKIEGO RADIA, VOL.09
POLSKIE RADIO 1060 (Barcode: 5907812240608) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 - 1975 Released: 2008
TestFind albums by this artist was a great Polish Blues-Rock / Jazz-Rock group, which recorded only one studio album. This album collects their radio recordings and is a perfect companion to that studio album.
The group was formed by three ex-ABCFind albums by this artist members, including the charismatic leader / vocalist Wojciech GassowskiFind albums by this artist. Later on the group was joined by the superb guitarist Dariusz KozakiewiczFind albums by this artist (ex-BreakoutFind albums by this artist) and the group´s sound achieved its full glory. In retrospect this is magnificent music, some of the best recorded in Poland during the 1970s, which is of course a great distinction.
The sound quality of these recordings is excellent and even better than the studio album. This is a wonderful reminder of some unforgettable moments in the history of Polish Rock. Warmly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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