Record Reviews

ADAM GOLICKI ~ THE GREAT TIME AFRO VIBE 009 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 - 2025 Released: 2025 After a decade since his arrival on the Polish Jazz scene, drummer / composer / bandleader Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist proved to be one of the most fascinating personalities with a truly chameleonic scope of activity, shunning genre and style definitions with ease and elegance. This new album is no exception and it is both surprising and innovative beyond expectation. The concept is seemingly a “Jazz & Strings” affair, but in contrast to most albums that belong to this niche, here the strings are not hiding in the background, au contraire, they are a completely equal partner to all the rest of the participants, up front and as flamboyant as all the rest. As shocking as it may appear at the first glance (or rather first note), the idea works perfectly. As if the strings were not enough, the composer unveils another weapon of choice, adding wonderful vocalese (and vocals) to stir things up even more. In short expect the unexpected. In order to realize this maverick idea, Golicki collected a formidable team of top Polish Jazz musicians: Maestro Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who is not only a superb pianist but also a brilliant arranger, with deep knowledge of Classical Music as well, vocalist extraordinaire Grazyna AuguscikFind albums by this artist, wonderful guitarist Rafal SarneckiFind albums by this artist, brilliant bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and of course the Polish String Philharmonic SopotFind albums by this artist, conducted by Szymon MorusFind albums by this artist. With Golicki behind the drums and a couple of guest saxophonist (Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist and Rafal JackiewiczFind albums by this artist) this entire crew are able to create some of the most delightful Jazz music one can imagine, pushing the “Jazz & Strings” concept into a new dimension. And last, but not least, my notion, that Jazz drummers are often also some of the most successful composers, gets another seal of approval on this album. The music is just marvelous, full of typical Polish lyricism and deeply implanted harmony, which is as heartwrenching as it is convincing aesthetically. I rest my case! Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 16/11/2025Posted: 16/11/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ROBERT WYATT ~ …FOR THE GHOSTS WITHIN (LIMITED EDITION WITH DVD) DOMINO 263 (Barcode: 5034202026365) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 10th album by the great British musician Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, who seems to be able to re-invent himself time after time and remain a shining star now in the fifth decade of his glorious music-making career. This project, which is a collaboration with Israeli saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist and violinist Ros StephenFind albums by this artist (both are credited equally with Wyatt as the album´s creators), presents a series of original composition as well as re-works of Jazz standards, exquisitely arranged, richly orchestrated and beautifully performed by the participating musicians, which include among others bassist Richard PryceFind albums by this artist and Stephen´s Sigamos String QuartetFind albums by this artist. This is a wonderfully weird music, brilliant and completely unpredictable, changing moods, tempi, colors and musical influences constantly. From Middle Eastern to Celtic, from Canterbury to Klezmer to Chamber, everything goes, but all in excellent form and taste. A true masterpiece of contemporary music, beyond genres, classification and time… What more need I say?

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ROBERT WYATT ~ COMICOPERA DOMINO 202 (Barcode: 5034202020226) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 9th album by Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, which is yet another triumph in his outstanding career over the years, presenting an imaginary three-parts opera abut life and its unexpected aspects, craziness, absurd, love and so on. Supported by an incredible team of musicians from all over the world (UK, Brazil, Norway, Cuba, Colombia, Spain and Israel – bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist) Wyatt creates a continuous stream of relatively short tunes, many richly orchestrated, which is quite different from most of his previous works, which have been mostly intimate in their sound scope. The music is mostly composed by Wyatt, with a couple of tunes by Brian EnoFind albums by this artist and two folk songs used as well. Wyatt and his wife Alfreda BengeFind albums by this artist are responsible for most of the great lyrics, but a Garcia LorcaFind albums by this artist poem is also used, which exemplifies Wyatt´s deep love and appreciation of the Spanish and Ibero-American culture. The music, still very much typical Wyatt, has also another dimension to it at times, being more closely related to contemporary Classical, probably due to the orchestral arrangements. Overall it´s a complex work, which requires several listening sessions to truly appreciate it and is definitely some of the best music recorded lately in complete contrast to the surrounding overwhelming shallow output created nowadays. Brilliant stuff!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ROBERT WYATT ~ CUCKCOOLAND DOMINO 47 (Barcode: 5034202204725) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2002 - 2003 Released: 2008 8th album by Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, recorded six years after the last album (Wyatt seems to be keeping his followers purposely on the edge) and another minor masterpiece. Wyatt seems to have found finally the perfect formula for creating his unique music: using his wife´s poetry as lyrics and cooperating with Jazz (this time notably with two Israelis – saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist and bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist) and Rock veterans like Brian EnoFind albums by this artist, David GilmourFind albums by this artist and Phil ManzaneraFind albums by this artist. The political statements are still there, but less aggressive (not less painful or truthful of course), well even the most fierce revolutionaries get old in time. The music is fresh, vibrant, whimsical and magical, same as always and stimulating as ever. Of course Wyatt´s music never was intended for mass consumption and musical charts. It takes time and patience, as well as open-mindedness and musical liberalism in order to fully appreciate this kind of Art. Considering the fact that Wyatt has been at the center of musical activity for five decades, his position in the Pantheon is assured, regardless of what some critics may think about him and his music. This is beautiful, stimulating music, which shows that not everything in music is lost in the 21st Century!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend