Record Reviews

HENRYK MISKIEWICZ ~ COME BACK… POLSKIE RADIO 2454 (Barcode: 5905610873110) ~ POLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with the Chopin University Big BandFind albums by this artist led and conducted by Piotr KostrzewaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, ten of which are original compositions by Miskiewicz and one is a standard, all arranged by Miskiewicz. Miskiewicz solos extensively and several of the young band members also get solo spots along the way: keyboardist Tymoteusz HartmanFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Ignacy WendtFind albums by this artist, pianist Stanislaw PantaFind albums by this artist and others. The music was splendidly recorded at the Polish Radio S-4 studio and offers a worm, delightful sound quality and perfect balance and separation. The music is all well within the mainstream Jazz idiom, based on the excellent compositions by Miskiewicz, which combine great melodic themes and interesting rhythmic flow, all splendidly arranged for the traditional Big Band environment, which offers plenty of soloing space for Miskiewicz and the band members. This music is meant to pleasant and uplifting, without compromising any aesthetic values, and is performed with taste and precision by the university students under the watchful eye of Kostrzewa, who has been leading the Big Band for many years, fully dedicated to his vision. Overall, this is a rare opportunity to hear a Big Band album recording by Polish Jazz musicians, as Big Bands are sadly almost impossible to sustain in the harsh economic conditions of today’s music scene. Miskiewicz shows where his well-earned respect and admiration among his peers and the young generation originate from and Kostrzewa can be proud of the band’s performances. Definitely this album is highly recommended to all Jazz Big Band lovers anywhere in the world, as the music is as universal as can be.

Updated: 31/07/2024Posted: 31/07/2024

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MARTYNA SABAK ~ BYLAM JESTEM BEDE NOT ON LANEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut solo album by Polish vocalist / songwriter Martyna SabakFind albums by this artist recorded with a quintet of young but experienced Polish Jazz musicians: pianist Adam JarzmikFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Ignacy WendtFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jakub LepaFind albums by this artist, bassist Tymon TrabczynskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr BudniakFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, all co-composed by Sabak and Jarzmik, with lyrics by Sabak, three of which are in English and the rest in Polish. The music is an amalgam of quality Pop, Soul and mainstream Jazz genres, excellently arranged for the accompanying quintet and a great fun to listen to from start to finish. Although definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz idiom, it is well put together and offers a pleasant musical experience. Sabak has an expressive, soul oriented vocal technique, which fits the material perfectly. The arrangements and the accompanying musicians set the songs into an attractive framework, which can be enjoyed by a wide audience. I am not a great fan of Polish vocalists singing in English, but since the majority of the songs are in Polish, this is not a major hurdle. My advice is to avoid this in the future. Overall, this is a very nice debut effort, which offers great contributions both in the vocals and songwriting departments, showing a lot of potential. Sabak needs to find her personal style, which will be more stylistically refined than what she presents here, but she is surely on the right path. All the best with your future projects, young Lady!

Updated: 14/12/2023Posted: 14/12/2023

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ADAM WENDT ~ MY CHOICE SOLITON 1304 (Barcode: 5903684233045) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Adam WendtFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with some of the best local musicians: pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist, bassist Mariusz BogdanowiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Ignacy WendtFind albums by this artist (Adam’s son) guests on two tracks. The album presents nine original compositions, all by the leader. The music is all within the familiar modern mainstream Jazz idiom, driven by the excellent, highly melodic compositions and superb performances by all the musicians involved. Wendt is clearly a representative of the “old school” approach (in the best possible meaning of the phrase), with each and every note precisely where it should be, which of course does not limit his dynamic expressionism, perfected over the years, and driven by his talent. The compositions are all perfectly coherent and well crafted, as appropriate for a musician of such class, covering a wide range from lyrical ballads to energetic up-tempo Bebop inspired tunes. There is a typical Polish Jazz sound and feel present at all times. The accompanying trio is absolutely stellar, with Wania playing his highly imaginative phrases in the background and inserting blood-curdling solos into the proceedings. Bogdanowicz and Frankiewicz are both Masters of their respective trades and musicians, who can be always relayed on with perfect confidence. Overall, this is a great mainstream Jazz album, which offers good music and exciting performances, which can be appreciated by all Jazz lovers the world over. These musicians don’t need to prove anything anymore and therefore the music they create is full of the joy of music making. This is definitely something worth listening to with love and attention.

Updated: 22/01/2023Posted: 22/01/2023

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