Record Reviews

WLADYSLAW KOMENDAREK ~ HIBERNACJA NR 1 GAD 058 (Barcode: 5901549197778) ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 1988 - 1990 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the fourth album by Polish electronic music wizard Wladyslaw KomendarekFind albums by this artist, which was originally his last vinyl release before entering the digital age. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Komendarek, performed by him using a plethora of synthesizer and other electronic gadgets. This expanded edition adds two bonus tracks, one of which is the full version (over twenty minutes long) of one of the tracks and another which is a live version of the title track. By the time Komendarek recorded this album he was already a highly experienced specialist in electronic / ambient synthesizer based music, which is evident by the rich layers of sound which create this album´s contents. But beyond his obvious technical proficiency, Komendarek also consistently developed his compositional skills and the result is plainly audible here in full bloom. The music is definitely the essence of this album, not the technical wizardry and strange sounds made by electronic devices. It seems that Komendarek finally found his individual voice and vocation on this album, after years of playing with the Rock group ExodusFind albums by this artist. His earlier solo albums were somewhat hesitant and searching while here he seems sure of himself and clearly stating his ideas, which are fully developed and skillfully arranged. The whole aural atmosphere soaked in synthesizers / samplers, which disappeared completely in time, is a wonderful trip down the memory line and brings fond memories of the early days of true electronic music, before it succumbed to trance, bass & drums and other less artistic forms of musical expression. Overall this album is truly a great fun to listen to and a great document of the era. Kudos, as usual, to GADFind albums on this label Records for consistently documenting and bringing back to life the Komendarek legacy, which is definitely worth being preserved and kept available. A must to all electronic / ambient music connoisseurs!

Updated: 20/01/2018Posted: 20/01/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

WLADYSLAW KOMENDAREK ~ WLADYSLAW KOMENDAREK GAD 021 (Barcode: 5901549197273) ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 1984 - 1985 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the eponymous debut solo album by Polish keyboardist / composer Wladyslaw KomendarekFind albums by this artist, which was originally released only on cassette. The newly remastered reissue adds four bonus tracks, which were recorded at the same sessions as the eight tracks which were included on the original album. Komendarek, who was the keyboardist of the legendary Polish Prog group ExodusFind albums by this artist, recorded this music after he left the group, using only an array of synthesizers. The music was composed in a secluded location far away from "civilization" and recorded later at the Polish Radio studio in Warsaw. Komendarek, who is still active today, three decades after this music was recorded, is undoubtedly one of Poland´s most important composers of electronic music of the same status as internationally known figures such as VangelisFind albums by this artist or Jean-Michel JarreFind albums by this artist, as this album clearly shows. His versatility and imagination as a composer are simply staggering and his ability to create multi-layered sound vistas is exceptional. The compositions presented on this album are all well structured and based on solid melodic themes, which are progressively developed in time. Komendarek uses the array of synthesizers to produce a rich orchestral sound and his Jazzy improvisations keep things interesting at all times. He also manages to avoid the bombastic approach, which was often used by his contemporaries, which simply produced a wall of sound that became increasingly intolerable. This music keeps a certain level of intimacy, which allows the listener to relax and let the music slowly draw him into the sounds. Of course due to obvious technological limitations the album suffers from the dreaded 1980s synthesizer sound, which hunts most of the music created in that period. The fact that this music is not only listenable but also quite enjoyable and even challenging proves that Komendarek is definitely blessed with an unusual talent. Bringing this music back to life (who owns a cassette player these days?) is unquestionably a great idea, which produces a fascinating document of the history of Polish electronic music, which should be available to both old fans and new generation of musicians and fans as well. As usual hats off to GADFind albums on this label Records for another great idea!

Updated: 13/04/2017Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend