Record Reviews

JACEK BEDNAREK ~ INDEX (SOUNDTRACK) GAD 186 (Barcode: 5903068122750) ~ POLAND ~ Soundtracks Recorded: 1977 Released: 2021 This is an archival album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist, which presents the music he scored for the film “Index”, originally due to be released in 1977 but finally released only in 1981. Bednarek composed the music and performed the soundtrack all by himself using the bass, celesta and several other instruments. The album presents nine tracks which appeared originally in the film and one bonus track, which is an alternative version of the opening track. The music, although extremely minimalist and concentrated, stands wonderfully not only the test of time, but also the test of being listened to outside of the cinematic context. Despite the fact that the music offers some melodic themes, it is also very unusual and modern in its approach, bordering on Avant-Garde. It completely suits the other musical activities of Bednarek, who was also part of the Polish Avant-Garde scene, playing with the legendary trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist. Bednarek’s tragically premature death in 1990 robbed Polish Jazz of one of its great heroes, before he was able to make a much more significant mark on the scene. Apart from this soundtrack, Bednarek composed also another soundtrack to a film by the same director, called “Kung-Fu”. Overall, this album is a great tribute to one of the unsung heroes of Polish Jazz, which the listeners are able to enjoy thanks to the continuous efforts by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist and his GADFind albums on this label Records, which gradually builds up an incredible music library of Polish Cultural Heritage, without any public / government support – a monumental labor of love and dedication.

Updated: 14/02/2022Posted: 14/02/2022

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JACEK BEDNAREK / KRZYSZTOF ZGRAJA DUO ~ WALKING COLOR GAD 047 (Barcode: 5901549197617) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 - 1982 Released: 2016 This is a reissue (first time on CD) of one of my all time favorite Polish Jazz albums, recorded by the superb duo which comprised of bassist / composer Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist and flautist / composer Krzysztof ZgrajaFind albums by this artist. The original album, released on the legendary PoljazzFind albums on this label label in 1983, presented seven compositions, six of which were composed by Zgraja and one was composed by Bednarek. As usual with the splendid GADFind albums on this label Records reissues, the album was expanded by seven previously unreleased additional pieces, all of which were recorded at the Polish Radio studio in Katowice, same as the material included on the original album, but during two different recording sessions. The entire album was beautifully remastered from the original master tapes and the album includes an extensive and again, as usual, highly informative bi-lingual booklet with background information about the album´s background. The music is a wonderful collection of cross-genre compositions, which amalgamate Jazz with World Music influences, contemporary Classical Music and many other musical sources. Beautifully melodic and highly advanced harmonically, this music is completely timeless and sound today as fresh as it was at the time of its recording. Both Bednarek and Zgraja play brilliantly and their virtuosity is stunning. The ideas and the sound were light-years ahead of their time, as was the concept of the duo, which was completely innovative on the Polish Jazz scene at the time. Sadly they recorded only one more album together (a live recording, which hopefully GAD Records will reissue ASAP), before parting, and never managed to work together again before Bednarek´s untimely death in 1990. This album is not only an extremely important document of the Polish Jazz history but also a milestone in the "Art of the Duo" idiom and a luminous example of flute performances, which are among the most significant in European Jazz history. Zgraja, who now resides in Germany, still plays, composes and teaches music and is one of the top flute specialists in the world. In retrospect this reissue again emphasizes the fact that massive amounts of superb music remain hidden and mostly forgotten in vaults and if it wasn´t for labels like GAD Records, they would be probably destined for extinction. Therefore, as usual, I extend my thanks to the label for keeping the Culture of the past alive and kicking!

Updated: 07/01/2017Posted: 07/01/2017

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ANDRZEJ KURYLEWICZ / WANDA WARSKA / NIEMEN ~ MUZYKA TEATRALNA I TELEWIZYJNA MUZA 842 (Barcode: 5907783498428) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2006 Since the day this album was released I´ve always cherished it as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Undoubtedly my Polish background, my love of the Polish Culture and my ability to understand the lyrics / poetry has something to do with the fact that this album is so meaningful to me, but honestly I believe that any music connoisseur in the world should be moved by this extraordinary music and performances. The music, composed by pianist / composer Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist, one of Poland´s musical icons and a precursor of Polish Jazz, was originally written for theatre and television and is presented here in a special arrangement for a string orchestra and Jazz combo, featuring two of Poland´s most extraordinary vocal talents: Wanda WarskaFind albums by this artist and NiemenFind albums by this artist. The Jazz combo consists of the composer on piano, trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Wladyslaw JagielloFind albums by this artist. The lyrics are all based on Polish poetry, mainly works of the great Polish poet Cyprian Kamil NorwidFind albums by this artist. Warska, the leading interpreter of Polish poetry and faithful performer of the music composed by Kurylewicz, is a superbly sensitive singer blessed by an angelic voice and extraordinary theatrical sensitivity. Niemen is of course Poland´s all time greatest musical genius known worldwide for his achievements, but his appearance on this album is one of the highlights of his career. Niemen´s "obsession" with Norwid´s poetry comes here to an ideal fruition and his vocal parts are simply breathtaking. Although not strictly a Jazz album, the album´s music has a distinct Jazzy character and falls easily into the extended definition of the genre. Overall this is a masterpiece of rare beauty, perfect in every sense, everlasting and always inspiring. An absolute must in every respect!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JERZY MILIAN ~ BAZAAR (POLISH JAZZ VOL.17) GAD 017 (Barcode: 5901549197204) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2014 This is a newly remastered reissue of the debut album by Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, which was originally released in 1969 as part of the legendary Polish Jazz Series by the state owned Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded in a trio format, with Milian playing vibraphone and marimba, bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist (who also plays the oriental gidjak on one tune) and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist. Two members of the legendary Polish vocal quartet NOVIFind albums by this artist: Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist (who adds vocals on five tracks) and Janusz MychFind albums by this artist (who adds flute on one track) also participate in the recording. The original album presents eight original compositions, seven of which are composed by Milian and one is co-composed by him and Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. This expanded edition adds four tracks, recorded couple of years earlier for the Polish Radio, two of which are his original compositions, one is his arrangement of a Kurt WeilFind albums by this artist song and another is his arrangement of a Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist nocturne. Milian, who started his career on the Polish Jazz scene about fifteen years before this album was recorded, first came into prominence as a member of several ensembles led by Krzysztof Komeda. It was Komeda who persuaded Milian to drop the piano as his main instrument and switch to the vibraphone, thus enabling him to become a member of his ensembles. Later on Milian developed a prolific international career as a vibraphonist and as a composer, being one of the best known Polish Jazz musicians outside of Poland. Many of his achievements are documented by the ongoing archival "Jerzy Milian Tapes" series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which also released this reissue. In retrospect this is definitely one of the most idiosyncratic albums in the Polish Jazz Series, presenting one of the first occurrences of the Polish / European Chamber Jazz, which was an amalgam of modern Classical and Cool Jazz elements with many different less audible influences, like early World Music, Free Jazz, Ambient (before it was even called that) and others. The vocal parts by Wanat are completely spine-chilling, typical of her brilliant and unique style, which was the crucial ingredients of the NOVI magnetism. It is definitely a must to all Polish Jazz enthusiasts, wherever they might be on this globe (and beyond). This album was already reissued a decade earlier, without the bonus tracks, but the entire run of CD reissues (incomplete by the way) of the original Polish Jazz Series LPs disappeared immediately after being released. The fact that these recordings are unavailable is shameful, and a sad testimony to the fact that State owned Cultural treasures are simply being disgracefully completely wasted!

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JERZY MILIAN ~ BAZAAR (POLISH JAZZ VOL.17) MUZA 1017 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005 This is the debut album by veteran Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, one of the godfathers of modern Jazz in Poland. Milian started to play in the 1950s and was a member of the legendary sextet led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, who persuaded him to move from piano to vibraphone. In time Milian became one of the top vibraphone players in Europe as well as an excellent composer with highly personal style. His music was always quite sophisticated and unusual, quite ahead of its time. The early Komeda influence was replaced later on by his own original compositional direction, which flirted with Cool, Third Stream, contemporary Classical and World Music. This album presents eight of his original compositions (one co-composed with Komeda) performed by a trio, which includes bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist. Two members of the legendary Polish vocal group NOVIFind albums by this artist: vocalist Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist and flautist Janusz MychFind albums by this artist also participate. This is a splendid example of European Jazz, which was rapidly developing in Eastern Europe by late 1960s and which still sounds great regardless half a century later. Highly recommended!

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JERZY MILIAN ~ SEMIRAMIDA GAD 024 (Barcode: 5901549197303) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 - 1969 Released: 2015 This is the fourth installment of the archival series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents the work of Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. This chapter is dedicated to the Milian trio, which was his basic platform in the mid to late 1960s and which was eventually used to record his formal debut album "BazaarFind albums with this title" in 1969. This album collects the recordings made by the trio during four consecutive editions of the Jazz Jamboree Festival in the years 1966-1969. The trio included bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist, who was replaced in 1969 by Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist, and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist. On the 1969 recordings the violinist Marian SiejkaFind albums by this artist is also present. The album comprises of eleven compositions, five of which are Milian originals and one is co-composed by Milian and Ostaszewski, two are by Bednarek and the remaining three are standards. Almost fifty years later a retrospective analysis of these recordings clearly shows how revolutionary and ahead of their time they were then and how relevant they still are now. The vibraphone trio by itself was quite a unique concept at the time with only very few parallels, and combined with the highly unusual musical approach led by Milian, which combined Cool, Third Stream and Polish Romanticism, presented the listener with an intellectual challenge of the highest degree. Additionally the World Music influence added by both Bednarek and Ostaszewski (the latter was about to start the legendary group OssianFind albums by this artist soon after), was also utterly innovative at the time. It is fascinating to hear the progress from the first track of this album to the last, which turns out to be almost completely Free Form. The album is also a powerful showcase of the incredible talents of two legendary Polish Jazz bassists, as these trio recordings allow us to hear their incredible contributions upfront. Gierlowski also plays beautifully and of course Milian´s playing is phenomenal, but that is hardly surprising. These live recordings suffer from minor sonic quality problems, even after they have been well remastered, but vibraphone always presents quite a challenge and considering the conditions available behind the Iron Curtain at the time it is miraculous this music sounds as it does. Overall this is another important addition to the recorded history of Polish Jazz, which should not be missed. Hopefully more gems like this one will be made available to the eagerly awaiting fans.

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MICHAEL J. SMITH ~ GEOMUSIC III-PL POLJAZZ / APEX 313 (Barcode: 5907513047681) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2009 This is one of the most unusual (at the time) albums recorded in Poland and one of the first Free Jazz / Improvised Music recordings. It was recorded during a tour in Poland by American born (resident also partly in Europe) Jazz / Contemporary Music composer Michael J. SmithFind albums by this artist, who was accompanied by Poland´s top Jazz personality, saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist. Namyslowski unexpectedly plays not only saxophone but also cello and flute, which of course is quite surprising. The album consists of seven original compositions, all by Smith. At the time of the recording Smith was in the early stages of developing his musical ideology, which he called "Geomusic" and several of his recordings were entitled using this idiom. Later on he would become a well known music scholar, composer and innovator, mostly in the fields of electronic music. He is still active today. The music included here is a wonderful example of early Improvised Music, involving minimal melodic notation and based on careful interaction between the musicians, mutual respect and virtuosity of the participants. Namyslowski, who usually played much more conventional music as far as form and structure were concerned, is the focal personality here and his cello playing is simply outstanding and outrageously original. The music lost absolutely nothing of its originality and pioneering spirit over the years. Although Free Jazz and Improvised Music are today a substantial part of the Polish Jazz scene, almost four decades earlier it was quite rare and the fact that this music was released at all at the time is a miracle. The new generation of Polish improvisers should dig this album out and give it a proper listen, as it certainly is worth studying, as much as listening today. Side Note: The PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which originally released this album, was active for 20 years (between 1972 and 1991) and was owned by the Polish Jazz Society. Considering the fact that the music industry in the Socialist State was centralized and totally controlled, with just one State owned music company producing all the albums, the possibilities to record and release Jazz albums were extremely limited. Poljazz was conceived and founded in order to allow for many more Jazz (and other) albums to be released independently from the State owned Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label and as such revolutionized the music industry at the time, being the only such enterprise in Eastern Europe. The Polish label AnexFind albums on this label reissued many of the original Poljazz albums on CD, bringing this fabulous music back to life.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.31 POLSKIE RADIO 2076 (Barcode: 5907812244149) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 Released: 2018 This is the thirty-first 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. 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 tracks presented here were recorded live in October 1966 during the ninth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the third volume of a collection of tracks from that event. The first four tracks present the American violinist / vocalist Stuff SmithFind albums by this artist, accompanied by an ad hoc trio which included Czech (at that time) pianist Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Kurt LindgrenFind albums by this artist and Italian drummer Franco ManzecchiFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs four standards and the entire set is rather unimpressive to say the least. Smith died shortly after this appearance and these ware among his last recordings. The next track presents a quartet led by Swedish trombonist Eje ThelinFind albums by this artist with French saxophonist Barney WilenFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Wilen Barney), Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist (misspelled as Danielsen) and American drummer Billie BrooksFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs one lengthy (almost half an hour long) just about entirely improvised piece of Free Jazz, which at the time was considered quite Avant-Garde, but portrays the rapid development of European Jazz at the time, catching up with the Free Jazz developments in the US. The next track presents a quartet co-led by two USSR Jazz musicians: guitarist Nicolai GrominFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Georgy GaranianFind albums by this artist, with bassist Adolf SatanowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Aleksander GoretkinFind albums by this artist (all the Russian names are misspelled). The quartet performs one original composition by Gromin, kept in the mainstream Jazz idiom. The next and last and most interesting track presents a Polish / Czech quintet comprising of trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Jan Hammer, bassist Jacek BednarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist. The quintet performs one original composition by Stanko, brilliant and typical of the era, which is an absolute cherry on top of the entire album and reflects the strength of the Polish Jazz scene at the time. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 01/05/2018

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