Record Reviews

GAWEDA / MIELCAREK / STWORZEWICZ ~ SILBERMAN AND THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR AUDIO CAVE 2016/006 (Barcode: 5905669566131) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the third album recorded under the "Silberman" moniker recorded by a Polish trio comprising of keyboardist Mateusz GawedaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. SilbermanFind albums by this artist), which presents six pieces, five of which are originals: one by Gaweda, two by Stworzewicz and two co-composed by all three members of the trio. The remaining tune was composed by the Italian operatic composer Umberto GiordanoFind albums by this artist. The music incorporates poetry by Polish poetess Krystyna MilobedzkaFind albums by this artist and text by British philosopher Alan Wilson WattsFind albums by this artist, narrated by Jan PeszekFind albums by this artist. The music is a mixture of many different elements, from Classical to Avant Garde, performed by a piano trio, but having very little to do with a classic Jazz piano trio per se. There is a certain Punkish (see post-Yass) attitude, especially in the role of the drums, which obviously is more Rock than Jazz oriented. The three instruments seem to have divided the genre-related responsibilities, with piano playing the Classical parts, the bass the Avant Garde parts and the drums the Rock parts. Overall this music sounds often like Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist on acid. Add the narrated poems and you get a Psychedelic party like we used to have in the good old sixties. But seriously this is brilliant stuff from stat to finish, perhaps somewhat hesitant and searching, but certainly defining new rules as far as cross-genre excursions are concerned. The musicianship is, as expected, simply stunning with the still very young Gaweda does things with the piano that might not be allowed in some parts of the world. Mielcarek swings his bow like the legendary Helmut NadolskiFind albums by this artist, but also keeps a steady pulse when needed. Stworzewicz beats the hell out of the drums like Animal of the Muppets, but always within the proper boundaries, and always swinging. We need more albums like this one, which throw out everything we know about music into the garbage basket and take it from there, doing exactly what the people behind the music are after: fun, adventure, exploration, innovation and above all artistry. This is what being an artist is after all… This is definitely one of the most unique and curious Polish albums I heard in the last few years, and I have heard many of them, as my readers know. I can only recommend it wholeheartedly, hoping that it will find its way to as many open minded listeners as possible. Well done!

Updated: 17/06/2021Posted: 14/06/2016

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JACEK MIELCAREK ~ ZYCIODAJNA WODA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish Jazz clarinetist / saxophonist / composer Jacek MielcarekFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Marek KadzielaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents five lengthy improvised pieces, inspired by the New Testament Gospel of John, fragments of which are recited by Waldemar KotasFind albums by this artist. The music is co-credited to all four musicians. Spiritual / religious beliefs have been inspiring music as far back as the human race exists, so the fact that such inspirations occur still today is nothing out of the ordinary. Jazz music offers plenty of such inspirations as well, those reaching the absolute peak with the late period John ColtraneFind albums by this artist’s divine and deeply spiritual musical Artistry. The music on this album is Freely Improvised by four excellent Polish Jazz musicians, all with impressive recording legacy. Together they are able to communicate and produce an interesting flow of Improvised Music, engaging mutual exchanges and sound variations between more ambient and electronics soaked vistas to acoustic planes dominated by the bass clarinet. The spoken word is a double edged sword here: on one hand the texts taken from the Biblical source are obviously highly dramatic and meaningful, and excellently performed by the lector, becoming part of the entire message, but on the other hand they are in Polish, which obviously limits the audience to Polish-speaking listeners and since they are quite extensive, lasting for long minutes, they stay in the way of the listener, who tries to concentrate on the music played in the background. This is obviously an Artistic decision by the creator of this project, which is perfectly valid as it is. Overall, this is highly interesting and ambitious musical project, with a profound spiritual message, to those who are ready to listen, but even without its religious implications it offers some excellent Improvising Music by superb instrumentalists, which is obviously heartfelt, original and aesthetically sound. A call for reflection of any kind is always a welcome initiative in this chaotic, Godless world we were destined to live in. Be with God, my Friends!

Updated: 15/02/2023Posted: 15/02/2023

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JACEK MIELCAREK KWARTET BASMYT ~ CORAZ AUDIO CAVE 2023/015 (Barcode: 5908298549766) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / clarinetists / composer Jacek MielcarekFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Marek KadzielaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist (Jacek’s son) and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Emilia HamerlikFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents eight tracks, two composed by Jacek Mielcarek, one each by Jakub Mielcarek, Marzena MielcarekFind albums by this artist (Jacek’s wife) and Kadziela, two co-composed by the quartet and one is a standard. The music floats between Freely Improvised and more conventional Jazz vistas, beautifully played by Jacek Mielcarek and his cohorts, displaying strong spiritual trends, mysticism and contemplative moods, similar to his earlier recordings. Despite the high degree of freedom, the music remains completely cohesive and coherent, which of course is remarkable in itself. The fact that the compositions are contributed by several musicians adds to the diversity and scope of the music. Kadziela’s dense guitar passages and his utilization of electronically generated sounds also expand the range of the sonority and the rhythm section is hardly keeping time in the traditional sense, adding active tempo / rhythmic improvisation on top or perhaps just under everything else. The arrangement of the classic standard is one of the highlights of the album, demonstrating a perfect merger of tradition and innovation, all with sympathy and respect to the past put looking forward for new forms of expression. Overall, this is a wonderful example of Improvised Music, which makes sense, is reasonably easy to listen to, offers a balanced portion of high energy and tranquility, in short being a highly absorbing and fascinating listening experience, which continues previous achievements by Jacek Mielcarek and his favorite team of musical Argonauts. As usual I had a wonderful time listening to this music as should all open-minded listeners the world over.

Updated: 07/03/2024Posted: 07/03/2024

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SILBERMAN - GAWEDA ~ NON-SIMULTANEOUS DOUBLE SQUEEZE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 It is fascinating to observe musical developments from a perspective of many decades as a music critic (and a music lover of course), especially the relationship between music and the world that surrounds us all. Music is after all a soundtrack of our lives and the more music we are aware of, the closer this relationship becomes. Following the Polish Music scene, and especially the more ambitious manifestations of it like Jazz, Avant-Garde (in all its manifestations) and Art Rock, the relationship between the music and the convoluted history of the country and the global phenomena becomes ever so apparent: Jazz was the weapon of the intellectual underground during the Socialist regime, Rock was the expression of the discontent of the young generation and so on. With Poland gaining its Freedom, Polish music lost its political / social impact and motivation, entering a long period of disambiguation, slowly losing much of its homegrown characteristic and becoming part of the global Culture (for good and for bad). The music on this album is (for me) a reaction to the overbearing noise we are all drowning in, created by the global media (corporate and social as one). The intimate duo format, which becomes an escape route for many representatives of the young generation of Polish music makers, and the intimacy and intrinsic minimalism of the music, are stating a protest against all that unbearable racket that surrounds us unescapably. Both Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. SilbermanFind albums by this artist) and Mateusz GawedaFind albums by this artist have already proven their ingenuity, boldness and adventurous spirit on their earlier recordings, both separately and together. Therefore, the uncompromising attitude of the music included herein is not surprising. Definitely under the “less is more” concept and deeply contemplative, the music takes the listener on a journey of almost meditative state of mind, which attempts to heal… 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: 19/08/2021Posted: 19/08/2021

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SILBERMAN NEW QUINTET ~ PIESN GESI KANADYJSKICH AUDIO CAVE 2017/006 (Barcode: 5905669566278) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the fourth album recorded under the "Silberman" moniker, following the third album recorded by a trio, which comprised of pianist Mateusz GawedaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. SilbermanFind albums by this artist). On this album the lineup is expanded to a quintet with the addition of saxophonist Maciej ObaraFind albums by this artist and bass guitarist Artur KudlacikFind albums by this artist. Together they perform five original compositions, two by Gaweda, two by Stworzewicz and one co-credited to the quintet, and their interpretation of a Nino RotaFind albums by this artist piece. The music on this album is much more Jazz oriented, mostly pretty standard modern Jazz, with some Free Jazz elements and unusual rhythmic parts performed by the electric bass and the drums. It is less unique and surprising than the debut album, but probably more acceptable to the Jazz connoisseurs, who found the debut album to be somewhat bizarre. Personally I think that the debut was much more interesting and forward-thinking. The album is also very strangely recorded, with a muddy sound, which creates some serious aural problems which make hearing properly everything that is played by the musicians very difficult. I have no idea if this was done on purpose as part of the album´s overall concept, but it was definitely a mistake. Although Obara and Gaweda play some very impressive solo parts on this album, those are somehow less impressive than their usual output. Overall this album manages to achieve much less than the impressive lineup would promise and especially in view of the superb debut recording by the core trio of this quintet. It is of course still partly very good music, but the album lacks focus and coherence, and sadly does not excite at all. Of course this is just my personal opinion.

Updated: 10/04/2019Posted: 27/05/2017

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SILBERMAN QUARTET ~ ASANISIMASA AUDIO CAVE 2019/003 (Barcode: 5905669566728) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the fifth album released under the "Silberman" moniker, this time recorded by a quartet of Polish Jazz musicians: keyboardists Dorota ZaziabloFind albums by this artist (who played on the debut album) and Mateusz GawedaFind albums by this artist (who played on the third and fourth albums), bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist (who also played on the previous two albums) and drummer Lukasz StworzewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. SilbermanFind albums by this artist). Together they perform seven compositions, four by Stworzewicz, one credited to all four members of the quartet, one of unknown origin and finally one based on a Classical piece by the Tatar-Russian composer Sofia GubaidulinaFind albums by this artist, which makes me happy that she is finally being discovered by young musicians. The music is a wild amalgam of stylistic influences, constantly moving between Avant-Garde Jazz, Improvised Music and mainstream Jazz. The double-keyboards lineup opens wide possibilities between the acoustic piano and the synthesizer sounds, which are fascinating and constantly changing. There are some very nice melodic themes scattered between the more open / improvised pieces, which helps to maintain a nice balance and coherent diversity. Both keyboards players manage to produce a kaleidoscope of sound vistas, which is quite innovative and more importantly they support and complement each other successfully. Mielcarek does a splendid job, both as a rhythmic, Jazz oriented player and as an improviser, including some surprising bow work. Stworzewicz is of course one of the most original drummers on the Polish scene and his work on this album emphasizes his maturity and stylistic freshness. The album not only offers some superb music and excellent execution, but also a musical and sound concept as a whole. The dark, often minimalist atmosphere and the atypical lineup, combined with the weird / atypical sound of the drums, offer to the listener a whole new experience, which happens relatively rarely. Although not specifically stated as such (except perhaps by the album´s artwork), this music definitely offers a musical parallel to the film noir, or perhaps an imaginary soundtrack to an imaginary movie created in that genre. The ambience of uncertainty, apprehension and ambivalence is certainly present within the music, although obviously echoes differently with each listener. In retrospect this is certainly the most coherent and mature album recorded under the "Silberman" moniker so far, and a truly unique piece of music, which stands out even on the extremely competitive Polish Jazz scene. It should be listened to not only by Jazz listeners, but by all open-minded music connoisseurs, who are always searching for new thrills. Hats off to the Silberman phenomenon ;)

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 12/04/2019

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