Record Reviews

BIZARRE PENGUIN ~ ACIDO DOMINGO EASTRINGS 0003 (Barcode: 196400420262) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Avant-Garde Jazz trio Bizarre PenguinFind albums by this artist comprising of drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist (who also plays synthesizers) and trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, who recorded already several albums together under various monikers. The album presents five compositions, all uncredited and assumed to be co-composed by the trio members. Although recorded in the midst of the pandemic, with the musicians not able to see each other and interact visually, which is almost imperative in Improvised Music, the album offers a remarkable musical coherence, often not found on conventionally recorded albums. These musicians obviously managed to develop an unusual rapport between them, which already produced some exceptional recordings like “NecrosofiaFind albums with this title”, “MurmursFind albums with this title” or “Jazz Dla ZwierzatFind albums with this title” (the last two on Sadowski’s record label EastringsFind albums on this label Records), which is also prevailing on this superb recording. The music manages to combine acoustic and electronic auras perfectly, offering Improvised Music which is beautifully melodic and lyrical, and yet completely unusual and unpredictable. Lipka’s sublime trumpet playing, closely resembling Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist during his early experimental phase, is absolutely stunning and irresistible. Koper and Sadowski support layer upon layer of complex rhythmic patterns, both acoustic and electronic, as well as wall of sound effects, creating wonderfully powerful sound vistas. The music moves between contemplative excursions and energetic soul-drenching exchanges, which keep the listener completely mesmerized. I had the album on “repeat” mode for quite a while, before being able to clear my head and write these lines, as admittedly it’s been quite a while since I heard any music of such power of expression. Overall, this is definitely one of the very best, and perhaps the best Polish Improvised Music album I have had the pleasure to listen to in 2021, especially so in view of the rather dull and weak output in that area on the local scene, which sadly seems to be completely lost lately. These musicians seem to have a “golden touch” and hopefully will produce much more great music when the world gets back to normal. Hats off and thank you for this extraordinary music!

Updated: 04/01/2022Posted: 04/01/2022

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GDANSK NECROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA ~ NECROSOFIA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is a spectacular debut album by Polish Jazz duo behind the Gdansk Necropolitan OrchestraFind albums by this artist moniker: trumpeter / composer Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven compositions / improvisations not credited specifically and therefore assumed as co-created by the duo members. The albums artwork is very secretive about the date and place of the recording, which offers an absolutely amazing sound quality and a unique ambience of a large empty room / hall resonating and creating wonderful overtones. Although seemingly limited by the scope of just two instruments, the music offers wonderful richness and depth of musical ideas, amalgamating elements of Classical Baroque Music, Avant-Garde Jazz, Chamber experiments and Ambient explorations, all perfectly matched together forming a marvelously striking and condensed kaleidoscope of sounds which penetrates the listener´s soul directly. It matches perfectly the two other albums released in 2019, which involve Sadowski and Lipka ("MurmursFind albums with this title" and "Jazz Dla ZwierzatFind albums by this artist"), both being among the most interesting Polish Jazz albums released in that year. This album completes an astounding "triptych" of rare quality and inventiveness. Lipka´s trumpet pyrotechnics fondly remind the work of lamented Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, both on the sound and emotional levels. Sadowski´s arco work and heartbreaking melancholy are absolutely dazzling. Together (and with the help of the hall´s ambience and some electronics) they are able to create an impressive wall of sound effect during the crescendo moments, but their intimacy is no less effective during the pianissimo passages. In fact the music they manage to create together is simply unparalleled by anything else that happened on the Polish scene in 2019. Overall this is nothing short of a masterpiece, an amazing piece of music, which should be definitely listened to together with the above mentioned two albums of the "triptych". If the phrase "future of music" has any meaning at all, this is as good a sample of it as one can hear here and now. I know, I know… prophesy has been given to the fools.

Updated: 10/01/2020Posted: 10/01/2020

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MACIEJ SADOWSKI ~ I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SAY, SO LISTEN RHODIUM 012 (Barcode: 193872506616) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut solo album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist (who also plays synthesizers) recorded with a bunch of musicians / friends including his usual cohorts: drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, a string quartet, several vocalists, American multi-instrumentalist / producer Kevin Scott DavisFind albums by this artist, pianist Antoni WojnarFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Sadowski. The highly provocative / sarcastic title of the album stands in complete contrast to the contents of the album, which has in fact quite a lot to say on any imaginable musical plane. The compositions are spectacularly resounding, continuing the modus operandi which prevailed on the LowBowFind albums by this artist duo album by Sadowski and cellist Malgorzata ZnarowskaFind albums by this artist (who also plays here), called “Murmurs”. The resulting music presents a unique kind of Avant-Garde Contemporary Classical Music, which incorporates subtle elements of Jazz and Ambient / Electronic Music in addition to Chamber Classical Music, producing deeply lyrical and fascinating sound vistas. Sadowski eschews flashy expositions and prefers solid compositions, based on coherent melodic themes, which are the basis for his sound-paintings. His music leaves much to the listener’s imagination and real-time interpretation, which of course means that with every listening session the aural result might resound differently, which is a rare quality. Despite the fact that the album offers only slightly over half an hour of music, it definitely presents a full musical package, naturally leaving the listeners wishing for more. The team of musicians that performs on this album is nothing short of a “dream-team” every artist might desire to work with, setting aside any individual ambitions other than do their best to contribute to the success of Sadowski’s compositions. The delicate minimalism, which is the prevailing artistic directive on this album, pays off in full, according to the “less is more” principle, with the music rather floating in the air than hitting the listener directly between the ears. Judging by the quality of his output in the last few years, Sadowski proves that he is by far not a “one hit wonder” and has plenty to say, all of which is worth listening to. He definitely emerges as one of the most interesting figures on the young Polish scene, who deserve to be followed closely. Overall, this is a stunning piece of a wonderful musical treasure, which deserves to be heard by as many true music lovers around the globe as possible, regardless of their stylistic preferences. This is simply universally beautiful music!

Updated: 05/01/2022Posted: 05/01/2022

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MACIEJ SADOWSKI KWADRAT ~ JAZZ DLA ZWIERZAT EASTRINGS 0001 (Barcode: 194171743108) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish bassist / composer Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet called KwadratFind albums by this artist (square in English, clearly alluding to the quartet), which also includes trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Michal Jan CiesielskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Marcin GalazkaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Sadowski. The music, although melody based, is very original and moves freely across several genres, touching on Rock, Fusion, Groove, mainstream Jazz and even Improvised Music. The compositions are the absolute focus of this album, although the instrumentalists are all extremely effective. Sadowski is an experienced player with an impressive portfolio of recording as a sideman and studio musician and he shines on this album as well. The most fascinating aspect of the music is the central role of the bass and a strong polyrhythmic diversity excellently handled by the drummer. But of course the trumpeter and saxophonist offer impressive soloing all the way through and contribute to the overall success. Although seemingly an acoustic quartet, there is an extensive use of electronic devices, adding sheets of sound behind the instruments and creating a very impressive and unusual overall sound. One could say that these effects serve as an additional member of the quartet playing the synthesizer. On the track featuring the guitar player his guitar also sounds almost entirely like a synthesizer. The most extraordinary synthesizer effects are associated with the bass, which sounds often like a bass clarinet when playing arco. In short this album offers really innovative approach to playing the instruments, and combined with the superb and unique compositions the overall result is absolutely refreshing. Overall this is definitely a surprisingly excellent debut album, which deserves a lot of attention and again shows that the new generation of Polish Jazz players possesses unlimited creativity, rarely found elsewhere. Absolutely delightful listening experience - Hats off!

Updated: 22/11/2019Posted: 22/11/2019

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SEKSTANS ~ SEKSTANS MULTIKULTI 010 (Barcode: 5907529223376) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 This is an excellent debut album by the young Polish Jazz sextet called SekstantFind albums by this artist and originating form the Baltic Tricity, founded and led by saxophonists Lukasz JuzkoFind albums by this artist and including saxophonist Piotr CheckiFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Szymon BurnosFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of seven original compositions, two of which (the opening and closing tracks) are improvised pieces, three are composed by Juzko and one each by Sadowski and Koper. As usual with the young Polish Jazz ensembles the music crosses all possible boundaries and is almost impossible to be neatly categorized. On top of the obvious Jazz tradition there are traces of Rock and even Punk (especially in the somewhat hassle-free attitude), Free Jazz and even Improvised Music excursions and many other elements, which of course make this music fascinating and unpredictable. The usage of electric piano and the brass arrangement on certain pieces take the ensemble close to Jazz-Rock Fusion, but then electronics and Ambient elements remind the listener that this is 21st Century and music is constantly changing and expanding its idioms. Underlying these stylistic explorations, the compositions present solid melodic themes, which are all quite impressive. Both the individual abilities of these players and their collective cooperation are very impressive. As usual it´s hard to believe that these are such young players only starting their musical life´s journey. The open-mindedness and personal courage to explore non-trivial music and eschew mediocrity are truly admirable. I eagerly anticipate the next step on this ensemble´s path, which in view of this promising debut could be even more thrilling. In the meantime this is a true little gem, which should give Jazz connoisseurs a most pleasurable listening experience. Well done!

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