Record Reviews

JACEK KOCHAN ~ MAN OF NO WORDS GOWI 64 (Barcode: 786497357222) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 Polish drummer / composer / arranger Jacek KochanFind albums by this artist is one of the country´s most active music leaders with an impressive and prolific career in both Jazz and contemporary experimental music. Kochan spent considerable periods of time living, studying and performing in the USA and Canada and upon his return to Poland in the mid 1990s he swiftly established his position as a central figure on the local scene. Since then he recorded a considerable number of albums as a leader, co-leader and sideman with many musicians from around Europe and the US as well as local musicians of course. This is a document of one of such projects, which features alongside the leader the US saxophonist Gary ThomasFind albums by this artist with excellent young Polish pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist and bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist. This quartet is expanded on several tracks by guest musicians playing various instruments or vocalizing. All the music on the album (ten listed and one unlisted "hidden" track) was composed and arranged by Kochan and presents his talents as a composer in their full glory. The music is a mixture of contemporary, melodic mainstream Jazz, with some almost contemporary Classical music arrangements on one hand and a lot of free space on the other, which allows for expanded improvisations by the soloists. Kochan´s brilliant and as usual completely unusual drumming and his electronic sound effects complete the overall sound and atmosphere, which is full of tension and sense of urgency, which keeps the listener on edge at all times. Thomas and Wania play breathtaking solos and the entire ensemble sounds completely focused around the convoluted melody lines and tricky rhythm patterns, which just keep coming at the listener mercilessly. Listening to this music attentively is so intense, that one feels actual physical exhaustion by the time the music is over, as a result of the effort to get it all in one take. This music exists beyond any reasonable categorization, being intrinsically completely cross-genre. Jazz buffs and contemporary Classical music connoisseurs might find this to be just the cup of tea they love. In any case this music is simply too good to be ignored and if it happens to be available, should be consumed at once. Brilliant stuff!

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ THE HEART OF THINGS VERVE 539153 (Barcode: 731453915329) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1997 Released: 1997 Since the late 1960’s John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist’s career enfolded like a continuous success story, moving from one musical hilltop to another: recording with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, leading the Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, world music excursions with ShaktiFind albums by this artist, etc. – all remarkable achievements. Keeping a position “in the lead” for so many years is never easy, but McLaughlin manages to deliver an amazingly consistent high quality output time after time with elegance and grace. This album is no exception and presents the genius player / composer at his best again. Listening to this album raises almost immediately an attempt to compare the music and the group of musicians playing it to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Although never formally called by that name, it is indeed a direct continuation of the work McLaughlin did with Mahavishnu about 20+ years earlier – electric Fusion. Of course this group is more mature, slightly more jazz oriented, and definitely much more relaxed and laid back, all for the good. Not that the fire and passion of the original Mahavishnu wasn’t fantastic – it definitely was, but it often ventured into moments of havoc and confusion, which are completely absent here. McLaughlin uses on this recording a set of seasoned and experienced players: saxophonist Gary ThomasFind albums by this artist (one of the most talented players of the new generation and the jazziest player in this group), keyboards player Jim BeardFind albums by this artist and drummer Dennis ChambersFind albums by this artist, both veteran fusion players and finally the youngest member – Matthew GarrisonFind albums by this artist on bass (son of the legendary bass player Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist from John ColtraneFind albums by this artist’s quartet). McLaughlin composed all the music on this album, and the result should be equally appealing to both jazz and fusion fans. Highly recommended!

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ADAM PIERONCZYK ~ KOMEDA – THE INNOCENT SORCERER JAZZWERKSTATT 104 (Barcode: 4250079758715) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is an album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Adam PieronczykFind albums by this artist dedicated to the music composed by the Godfather of Polish Jazz pianist / composer Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. Pieronczyk recorded the album with an international quintet, which also features American saxophonist Gary ThomasFind albums by this artist, Brazilian guitarist Nelson VerasFind albums by this artist, American bassist Anthony CoxFind albums by this artist and Polish drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist. Together they perform six compositions (one repeated twice), all composed by Komeda. The Polish Jazz scene produced dozens of albums dedicated to the music of Komeda. Many of these records are pretty derivative and often not in par with Komeda´s memory, but some are simply brilliant, and this is definitely one of the latter. Pieronczyk manages to transform Komeda´s music into new dimensions, completely unconventional and unexpected, which is very effective and creates a new perspective of Komeda´s music. The unique lineup of the quintet, which includes two saxophonists and guitar, which replaces the piano one would expect to be present on an album dedicated to Komeda´s music, is just one of the surprises on this album. Then there is the fact that the tempi of each of the compositions are changed dramatically from the original ones, often using World Music influences like bossa nova and Cuban rhythmic patterns. The fact that this album includes two American Jazz players and manages to incorporate them into this very non-American music is also a very significant contribution. They both leave their Bebop roots behind and step boldly into the new territory, contributing beautifully. Since these are all very talented musicians, the fact that everybody contributes excellent solos and plays along splendidly with the others is of course no surprise whatsoever. The amalgam of Polish, American and Brazilian musical cultures works out wonderfully and Komeda´s music is again verified as being beyond National borders and as all great music successfully transcends any Cultural diversities and as such this is a very significant tribute to Komeda´s music. This album deserves an honorable place in every serious collection of Polish Jazz recordings.

Updated: 09/01/2017Posted: 09/01/2017

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