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  | JERZY MILIAN ~ FOUR HATS
GAD 294 (Barcode: 5903068125348) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 - 1966 Released: 2024
This is the 12th 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 Milian´s early trio and quartet recordings.
The first four tracks present the quartet with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1965 in Brussels at the BRT Studios. One composition is by Milian, one by Karolak, one is credited to all four musicians and finally one is an arrangement by Karolak of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist’s composition.
The next four tracks present the trio with bassist Janusz MarianskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1966 in Poznan at the local Polish Radio studio. Saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. Three of the compositions are by Milian and one is by Wroblewski.
The music is a classic mainstream Jazz, strongly influenced by the Cool stylistics, but also very much Milian’s own, full of his idiosyncrasies and Third Stream tendencies. Milian’s vibraphone playing is concise and precise, but filled of his intrinsic flare and unique sense of humor. The compositions are all excellent, as always, and reflect the incredibly high level of Jazz behind the Iron Curtain, which is on all levels as good as anything done in the “West” at the time.
Despite the fact that the recordings originate from Milian’s private archive, the sound quality is absolutely perfect, which makes listening to this music a true pleasure. As usual one has to admire the dedication and consistency of the GAD Records label for bringing these treasures back to life.
Overall, this is an incredible piece of Polish / European Jazz history, which absolutely deserves to be heard and studied. With Milian´s passing it is even more important to document his work and bring it to the public. For Polish Jazz enthusiasts this album is an absolute must!
| | Updated: 31/05/2024Posted: 31/05/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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