Record Reviews

ALBER-STROBEL ~ DUET GITAR KLASYCZNYCH (POLISH JAZZ VOL.86 DELUXE) MUZA 1086 (Barcode: 5907783420863) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 2008 This is the second album by Polish acoustic guitar duo Alber-StrobelFind albums by this artist with guitarists / composers Henryk AlberFind albums by this artist and Janusz StrobelFind albums by this artist recorded a decade after their debut. Years of experience playing together and the process of growing up turned them into a formidable musical unit and this album, although quite similar in spirit to their debut, is much more tight, elaborate and simply brilliant. The material is mostly original on this album, again in contrast to the debut, which was mostly Brazilian music. The duo was quite an unusual phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, as they opted for playing in the intimate duet format and completely acoustically, whereas most guitarists opted of course for the electric version of the instrument. They played a mixture of original compositions and well known, mostly Brazilian pieces, composed by the best Brazilian composers. The elaborate arrangements and obvious virtuosic performances make this album an obvious choice for listeners, who love the acoustic guitar and South American flavor in music. Although only marginally Jazz per se, the element of improvisation is very strongly present here and it is one of the best examples of Polish Jazz-World Fusion. Definitely worth investigation and a must for guitar lovers!

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ALBER-STROBEL ~ HENRYK ALBER & JANUSZ STROBEL (POLISH JAZZ VOL.85 DELUXE) MUZA 1085 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1972 Released: 2006 This is the debut album by Polish acoustic guitar duo Alber-StrobelFind albums by this artist with guitarists / composers Henryk AlberFind albums by this artist and Janusz StrobelFind albums by this artist. The duo was quite an unusual phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, as they opted for playing in the intimate duet format and completely acoustically, whereas most guitarists opted of course for the electric version of the instrument. They played a mixture of original compositions and well known, mostly Brazilian pieces, composed by the best Brazilian composers. The elaborate arrangements and obvious virtuosic performances make this album an obvious choice for listeners, who love the acoustic guitar and South American flavor in music. Although only marginally Jazz per se, the element of improvisation is very strongly present here and it is one of the earliest examples of Polish Jazz-World Fusion. Definitely worth investigation!

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EWA BEM ~ TRIBUTE TO MAREK BLIZINSKI POLSKIE RADIO 1945-1946 (Barcode: 5907812249458) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1980 - 2000 Released: 2015 This is a wonderful archival 2CD album by the Polish vocalist Ewa BemFind albums by this artist, which she dedicates to the memory of the superb and tragically prematurely departed Polish Jazz guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, who died from cancer just a few days before his forty second birthday. Blizinski was the first modern Polish Jazz guitarist of international class and for many years during the 1970s and 1980s was considered the top guitarist on the Polish Jazz scene. Bem and Blizinski recorded together several times as a duo and these recordings were collected on the album "Dla Ciebie Jestem SobaFind albums with this title", released by the PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which is reissued here as the first CD of this album. The album consists of eleven songs, nine of which were written by Polish composers and lyricists, and two are standards with lyrics translated into the Polish language. In retrospect, although over three decades have passed since this music was recorded, these songs sound remarkably fresh and sparkling, losing none of their original charm. As noted in the liner notes, these duo recordings were inspired by the Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist / Joe PassFind albums by this artist sessions, which produced four superb albums released in the 1970s and 1980s. Blizinski´s virtuosic guitar riffs are beyond reproach, precise and incredibly sensitive, and he proves being not only an exceptional player, but also a most sympathetic musical partner. Bem´s youthful energy and obvious talent come to full fruition on this recording, presenting her as fully mature vocalist in complete control of her vocal abilities. Her interpretations of these songs show that she feels comfortably in a Jazz environment, but easily moves into Cabaret and Pop, with the same seriousness and dedication. The second CD of this album presents a live recording of a concert from 2000, which was a tribute to Blizinski and which presents new versions of the songs originally recorded on the duo album with Bem being accompanied by four Polish guitarists: Jan BorysiewiczFind albums by this artist, Janusz StrobelFind albums by this artist, Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist (who sadly also died from cancer in 2013) and Wojciech WaglewskiFind albums by this artist. The vocal / guitar duos are accompanied by percussionist Jose TorresFind albums by this artist. In addition to the songs from the original album the duos perform also songs written by the guitarists. Everybody seems to be in top form and the music flows splendidly from one song to another with Bem being on top of things at all times. Her vocal abilities are in excellent form during the entire concert and she elegantly moves between genres, whether it is Jazz, Pop or Blues. The entire concert is a very heartfelt tribute to the memory of Blizinski, who of course deserves to be remembered for his invaluable contributions over the years. The entire album has excellent sound quality and is carefully produced and packaged, bringing back to life an important segment of the Polish Jazz history, and as such is of course most welcome.

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted: 01/01/2016

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ANDRZEJ JAGODZINSKI ~ W HOLDZIE WOLNOSCI POLSKIE RADIO 1986 (Barcode: 5907812249861) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is a live recording of a concert performed by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist, which was organized to commemorate the fifteenth Anniversary of the IPN (Institute of National Remembrance). For the concert Jagodzinski collected thirteen pieces of Polish music, which constitute a soundtrack of the Polish struggle for Freedom, both National and Political. They range from music composed by the Polish National composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist to popular Folk and Pop songs, mostly those related in many ways to the Polish underground struggle during WW II, including the heroic Warsaw Ghetto uprising and the no less heroic Warsaw Uprising, the anti-Communist struggle following the immediate post-WW II years and up to the Solidarity movement, which finally led to the creation of the Free Polish Republic with the fall of the Soviet Empire. These are all undoubtedly patriotic songs, one way or another, and in time when patriotism is often not considered as "politically correct", it is encouraging to see musicians taking a clear stand, without being ashamed or intimidated by it. Polish Jazz history has always been intertwined with political messages, as was Polish Literature, Poetry, Film and all other Arts. Being able to state one´s political or patriotic view is after all an integral ingredient of the very Freedom, Poles have been fighting for so long. Jagodzinski "called to arms" some of the top Polish Jazz musicians on this album: vocalists Anna StankiewiczFind albums by this artist and Agnieszka WilczynskaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Janusz StrobelFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Robert MajewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam CegielskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. They all perform brilliantly, which is hardly surprising considering their experience and talent, creating a sensitive, intelligent and moving piece of meaningful music with carries a clear message without being vulgar or offensive. Jagodzinski´s arrangements are all elegant and tasteful, suiting the atmosphere ideally. Of course this album has a layer which speaks only to people, who understand the Polish language and have some knowledge of Polish history. Nevertheless it has also universal values, which should be able to cross language barriers. This album made very little impact on the Polish Jazz scene at the time of its release, which is a great pity. The fragmented and often plainly divided Polish Society should really grow up put aside its political differences, when it comes to appreciation of Art or human relationships. The precious Freedom is after all so fragile and easily lost..

Updated: 11/10/2016Posted: 11/10/2016

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