Record Reviews

JANUSZ SKOWRON ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.35 POLSKIE RADIO 2322 (Barcode: 5907812243319) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 - 1998 Released: 2022 This is the thirty-fifth installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings of that period. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The music on this album presents radio recordings of live performances by one of the most prominent Polish Jazz musicians, keyboardist / composer Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist, who sadly departed recently (February 2019), paying tribute to his artistry. Skowron was active on the scene since the early 1980s and his music embraced diverse environments, playing Jazz and Fusion. The album presents eleven tracks recorded between 1981 and 1998 and are a rather incidental collection spanning his various activities. Skowron composed three of these tracks. The first track, recorded in 1981, features the quartet led by drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist, where Skowron played piano, which also included violinist Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Andrzej LukasikFind albums by this artist. Next track, recorded in 1982, features one of Poland’s most important Fusion groups String ConnectionFind albums by this artist, which also included Debski. Next track, recorded in 1985, features Skowron’s own band, which includes bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist (departed 2012). Next track, recorded in 1985, features the quartet led by trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (departed 2018), which includes drummer Tadeusz FederowskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2018). Next track, recorded in 1987, features the FreelectronicFind albums by this artist band also led by Stanko, which includes synthesizer player Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist. Next track, recorded in 1990, features the quartet led by saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist (departed in 2022). Next track, recorded in 1991, features also the Zbigniew Namyslowski quartet. Next two tracks, recorded in 1992, feature the quartet led by trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, which includes saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2012). Next track, recorded in 1995, features the reunited String Connection group. The last track, recorded in 1998, features a duo of Skowron and Tomasz Stanko. The fact that six of the musicians playing on this album are no longer with us is a sad reminder of the phenomenon of the first generation of the Polish Jazz scene disappearing. The series, which was brought back to life after three years of absence, offers an upgraded packaging, which finally offers bi-lingual liner notes, fitting the importance of this music. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. Overall this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan should consider as a must.

Updated: 25/02/2023Posted: 25/02/2023

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TOMASZ STANKO ~ LIVE AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 1987 POLONIA 254 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1987 Released: 2000 This live recording at the Montreux Jazz Festival is the last of the glorious 1980s albums by the polish trumpet virtuoso / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist and his FreelectronicFind albums by this artist ensemble, here consisting of keyboardists Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist and Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist and bassist Witold SzczurekFind albums by this artist. Stanko is in top form and in a great mood, which is evident by the happy atmosphere captured herein. His trumpet soars to incredible heights and the brilliant improvisations chase one another. In retrospect this is a perfect moment captured for posterity, just before the ever-changing Stanko would embark on yet another musical journey with the onset of the 1990s. The 1980s Stanko´s Jazz-Rock period was about to be abandoned and replaced by a return to the Jazz tradition and the new (again) Stanko, which would capture worldwide audiences with his ECMFind albums on this label recordings. But the 1980s period firmly remains as one of Stanko´s most productive and expressive periods and this album is an integral part of that legacy. A must to every Stanko fan!

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TOMASZ STANKO ~ PEYOTL - WITKACY POLONIA 037/038 (Barcode: 5904542687307) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1984 - 1986 Released: 2004 This is probably the most significant recording by Polish trumpeter virtuoso / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, surely at least among his Polish recordings before his later ECMFind albums on this label period. Following Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, Stanko switched to Jazz-Rock Fusion (albeit a decade later) and his 1980s output with his FreelectronicFind albums by this artist ensemble is radically different from the Free Jazz he played in the 1970s. This double album consists of one studio recording and one live recording, both expressing Stanko´s power as a performer and a composer to the max. The studio album, which was compiled over a period of two years, presents music composed by Stanko at the period when he was experimenting with hallucinogens and was deeply influenced by the writings of the Polish mystic / philosopher / Avant-Garde artist WitkacyFind albums by this artist (Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz), who was also an early experimenter with drugs. Text excerpts from Witkacy´s book about drugs are recited and closely incorporated into the fascinating music, which floats over a repetitious hypnotic vamp and layers of electronic keyboard sounds. The highlight of this album is undoubtedly the inclusion of a second genius trumpet player, Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, who exchanges licks with Stanko in a brilliant manner. The fact that Stanko invited Przybielski to participate in this recording is a testimony of how highly he regarded his unbelievable talent. Other musicians participating in these recordings are: keyboardists Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist and Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist, guitarist Apostolis AnthimosFind albums by this artist, bassist Witold SzczurekFind albums by this artist, and drummer Zbigniew BarysiakFind albums by this artist. The recitation is by the great actor Marek WalczewskiFind albums by this artist. In retrospect the fact that this music was recorded almost 30 years ago seem incomprehensible, as it so much more advanced that almost any music done these days. Stanko´s genius definitely reaches here one of its great peaks, which luckily for us was captured for posterity. Sadly this album is probably little known by his worldwide fan base, as it is very difficult to find, which of course is a shame. If one must own just one Stanko album, this is it, at least as far as I´m concerned. Absolute unadulterated genius!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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TADEUSZ SUDNIK ~ TADEUSZ SUDNIK & HIS FRIENDS IN ART AUDIO CAVE 2017/001 (Barcode: 5905669566223) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 1986 - 2005 Released: 2017 This is an archival release by Polish keyboardist / composer / electronic music pioneer Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist, which presents nine tracks recorded between 1986 and 2005 with the participation of some of top Polish Jazz musicians, like trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Adam PieronczykFind albums by this artist and Aleksander KoreckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist and others, including the Polish Avant-Garde legend Andrzej MitanFind albums by this artist. Sudnik is listed as co-composer of all the tracks, except the piece with Stanko. The music presents a wide scope of stylistic influences, but clearly points out the tremendous input Sudnik contributed to the development of electronic music as well as Polish Jazz and other genres. His membership in Stanko´s group FreelectronicFind albums by this artist in the 1980 and his work on such albums as "Peyotl - WitkacyFind albums with this title" or "Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival 1987Find albums with this title" are major contributions to the genre. On the album Sudnik utilizes live computer generated sounds, producing amazing and always perfectly suited music to accompany the friends he plays with. The album is full of great melodies, mystical sound vistas, exciting dialogues and a plethora of highly unusual, but highly aesthetic musical statements. Overall this is a superb career spanning overview, which presents Sudnik as a major electronic pioneer, full of ideas and stylistic diversity, which is rarely present in electronic music, which tends to be more concerned with electronics than with music. For Polish Jazz followers, this is a must have item, which enables a glance at a much lesser known areas of the genre´s activities. Electronic music connoisseurs should also find this fascinating, and much different from the usual output found within the genre. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 05/07/2018

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