Record Reviews

DRUM FREAKS ~ SMYRNA MILO 106 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This is the second album by Polish ensemble Drum FreaksFind albums by this artist founded and led by Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist, a multi-instrumentalist / composer of Greek origin living in Poland. Kurtis is a prominent figure on the local scene, having been involved with many legendary local groups, like OssianFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. OsjanFind albums by this artist), MaanamFind albums by this artist and others. A versatile musician and a charismatic personality, Kurtis performed in such diverse musical fields as Folklore, World Music, Reggae and Free Jazz. On this album the lineup includes, apart from the leader, guitarist Janusz Yanina IwanskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Piotr IwickiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joannis KurtisFind albums by this artist. Ex-JamiroquaiFind albums by this artist player Wallis BuchananFind albums by this artist appears as a guest playing didgeridoo. The album includes eight original compositions by the leader and other members of the band, including Buchanan, all of which were recorded live at the St. John´s Church in the Northern port city of Gdansk. The music is an amalgam of melodic World Music from many different sources, but most significantly from the Mediterranean, ornamented by improvised Jazz oriented solos. As far as the Polish scene is concerned, this is definitely an unusual phenomenon, although Kurtis was involved in somewhat similar projects earlier, albeit in more meditative and experimental form. The overall atmosphere is serene and even lyrical at times, but successfully maintains an element of development and interest, unlike many similar projects, which quickly cross over into mediocre Muzak. Kurtis, who is a deeply spiritual person (I had the pleasure to meet him during my production of "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title" album in which he took part), manages skillfully to avoid the populism often involved with Western musicians performing World Music originating from non-Western sources. The music herein offers an opportunity to the musician to cooperate rather than compete, with little show-off and modern-times rush into the unknown. As Kurtis himself describes it, this is "early morning" music, which sounds best before out minds get clotted by the infernal noise that surrounds us all in today´s world. For me it also sounds great late at night, when I try to wash out (mentally at least) the day´s pressures. But I suppose that every listener will be able to find a proper moment for this music, as suitable to their souls. Listeners, who like Jazz-World Fusion excursions, should definitely try this album out as soon as possible, as it is one of the nicest pieces of that type that I happened to stumble upon. Considering that many Jazz-World Fusion albums are quite kitschy, this one is a gem!

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FREE COOPERATION ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.18 POLSKIE RADIO 1668 (Barcode: 5907812246686) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 Released: 2014 This is the eighteenth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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. This album is perhaps one of the most important pieces of the Polish Jazz legacy issued so far as a part of this series. It presents the cult Free CooperationFind albums by this artist ensemble, an informal gathering of top young Polish Jazz musicians active in the 1980s, which in retrospect turned out to be the next generation of the local scene, which carried on the tradition into the difficult next decade, after Poland finally received its political independence. The music of Free Cooperation was an eccentric amalgam of cross-genre explorations, moving between Reggae and Jazz-Rock, through the Jazz Big Band tradition and far out into collective improvisation and even some World Music influences. The music was composed by the ensemble´s members, like keyboardist Wojciech KonikiewiczFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist Aleksander KoreckiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Janusz Yanina IwanskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Wojciech CzajkowskiFind albums by this artist. Among the ensemble members we find the legendary trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, whose solos on this album are absolutely breathtaking. Other members include trumpeters Antoni GralakFind albums by this artist and Mariusz StopnickiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist and Marek KazanaFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bronislaw DuzyFind albums by this artist, electric bassist Marcin PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, violinist Henryk GembalskiFind albums by this artist and drummers Michal ZduniakFind albums by this artist and Sarandis JuvanudisFind albums by this artist. Piotr BikontFind albums by this artist recited poetry, which accompanied some of the compositions. Listening to the music today, almost three decades after it was recorded, clearly points out how revolutionary and ahead of its time it was, not only as far as the local scene is concerned, but on the entire European Jazz scale. Free Cooperation came to the public attention thanks to their appearance at the 1985 Jazz Jamboree festival, which is documented here on one of the tracks; the other six tracks were recorded at the Polish Radio Studio in Poznan some months earlier. The ensemble was active between 1985 and 1988 and recorded two albums for the PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which are still waiting to be reissued, which is a true shame. In April 2014 the remaining members reactivated Free Cooperation playing a gig in a club in Krakow. 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. Side Note: In 1985 I returned to Poland for the first time after leaving the country in 1967, in order to record the now legendary "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title" project (follow the link to read the entire story). Andrzej Przybielski was one of the musicians participating in that project and he told me about Free Cooperation, which I than saw in person a few days after the recording was over on the stage of the Sala Kongresowa during the a.m. Jazz Jamboree performance, which of course left me flabbergasted. This album is therefore especially dear to my heart.

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MATEUSZ POSPIESZALSKI ~ KONCERT W FABRYCE SJ 059 (Barcode: 5902596066741) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is a solo saxophone album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in the production halls and cellars of the Tenczynek brewery. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Pospieszalski. The album is a logical / musical continuance of the solo album “Tam I SamFind albums with this title”, released a year earlier, which was recorded outdoors in several locations, this time placing the Artist in industrial surroundings, as opposed to nature surroundings earlier on. The music is everything one might hope for, a symbiosis of solo saxophone phrases, vocalese, industrial background and natural echo of the historic production halls and cellars, all adding up to create a highly personal, on one side, an a completely universal, on the other, statement of human expression. Although improvised, the music retains a highly melodic, mostly melancholic and heartwrenching sonority, amplified by the environment in which it was created. Pospieszalski manages to establish a conversation between the tones he produces and the tones echoed by the environment he plays in, which is deeply moving and heartfelt. In addition to the beautiful, wonderfully aesthetic musical experience, the album also offers a new alternative to Improvised Music, which is no less ambitious and creative than what was regarded as Improvised Music for so long now, without being chaotic and completely lost in itself. Together with its predecessor, this album is a hopeful eye (ear) opener to more constructive Improvised Music in the future. Overall, this is an exquisite piece of music and a highly rewarding listening experience, which has very few equals on the Polish Avant-Garde Jazz scene. It offers a universal musical experience, which is both relaxing / meditative and cerebrally exciting and for listeners looking for new musical vistas this is a true prize.

Updated: 21/01/2022Posted: 21/01/2022

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MATEUSZ POSPIESZALSKI ~ TAM I SAM POLSKI RAP 04 (Barcode: 5902860144779) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is a solo (au naturel saxophone and Nature) album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, recorded outdoors in several locations. The album presents nine (one appearing twice) original compositions / improvisations, all by Pospieszalski, featuring the natural ambience and Nature sounds of the beautiful Polish landscape during the late autumn of the pandemic year and according to the social distancing protocol. Pospieszalski belongs to the highly respected Polish Jazz oppositionists, beautiful freaks and proud Avant-Gardists, who over time created some of the most interesting music on the local scene with ensembles like Free CooperationFind albums by this artist, Tie BreakFind albums by this artist, GraalFind albums by this artist, Voo VooFind albums by this artist and others, as well as cinematic and theatre music, a truly vast scope of creativity. This album presents Pospieszalski at the most intimate setting, not only completely solo, but also without the comfort and protection of a studio environment or concert audience. This is perhaps the reason the music sounds so brutally honest and penetrating, devoid of any mannerism or showmanship. The music is deeply lyrical, almost gloomy and desperate, perhaps a reflection of the atmosphere influenced by the pandemic, which took from us the most basic need of human contact. I cannot, of course, speak for the creator of this music, only as a listener, but it seems that the music carries universal human emotions, in this case of sadness and grief. It is a great artistry to be able to express grief through music, as heartbreakingly and boldly as present on this album. Perhaps one day in the future, this album will become an aural testimony of what 2020 was all about, like Allen GinsbergFind albums by this artist’s “Howl” remains a testimony of the Beat Generation. The is no doubt that this album is a monumental achievement in the already impressive legacy of Pospieszalski’s work. Probably not intended as such, as in most cases of important achievements, this intimate statement shouts more loudly than gigantic productions, which often turn to be hollow. My deepest respect and thanks for this gift of music are accompanied by a wholehearted recommendation to all music lovers to get a copy of this album, since there are but a few singular statements of such emotional authority out there as this one!

Updated: 06/03/2021Posted: 06/03/2021

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TIE BREAK ~ THE END AGORA 5903111494148 (Barcode: 5903111494148) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 - 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by the legendary Polish ensemble Tie BreakFind albums by this artist, which features four founding members of the ensemble: trumpeter Antoni GralakFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Janusz Yanina IwanskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Marcin PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist and also American (resident in Poland) drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all co-composed by the ensemble members, five of which also include lyrics which are chanted (rather than sung) by the ensemble in a Greek chorus manner. The music was recorded during three separate sessions between 2014 and 2018. Following the release of the marvelous "Tie Break (Box Set)Find albums with this title" in 2014, which summed up the ensemble´s output recorded between 1984 and 1995, it seemed that the fate of Tie Break was sealed, but apparently the protagonists thought otherwise and continued to make music together, which is collected here. Following this pattern, one might hope that the ominous title of this album is also only temporary, as Tie Break definitely has still more energy and creativity than most young contemporary ensembles. The music is, not surprisingly, completely unique; a zany mixture of Rock, Funk, Punk, World Music and Jazz worthy of epic Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist and his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist proportions. This music is bolder than most contemporary Rock, Funkier that today´s Funk, way Punkish than anything in Punk history and still Free Jazzier than most. The overall sound of the ensemble manages to create a wall of sound effect, which allows every tiny detail of the multi-layered complexity to be heard clearly and distinctly. The music has elements of marching funeral bands, Balkan wedding music, Polish Folklore and countless other relations, which can only be discovered as a result of repeated listening sessions. In short there never was anything in the Polish music history close to Tie Break, and following this album, the gap becomes even deeper. Although the ingredients of which the music of Tie Break is made of is not Avant-Garde as such, the unique combination and the obvious "oppositional" attitude to everything mainstream is still deeply implanted in this music and it is obviously refusing to be tamed. The album pays tribute to all the numerous members of the ensemble over the years and other outside of the mainstream great Polish musicians like the lamented Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, including the founding member Krzysztof MajchrzakFind albums by this artist, whom I had the pleasure to meet a few weeks ago and reminiscence early days of the ensemble and many other things with. In short this is a brilliant piece of music, full of creativity, ingeniousness and pure joy, completely unique and striking, unconventional and as musically anti-establishment as music can be. I refuse to interpret the album´s title literally and already long for the next chapter in Tie Break´s journey! The End of boredom is definitely here!

Updated: 21/12/2019Posted: 20/12/2019

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TIE BREAK ~ TIE BREAK (BOX SET) NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1984 - 1995 Released: 2014 This incredible Box Set is a long overdue tribute and homage to Tie BreakFind albums by this artist, one of Poland´s most important ensembles in the country´s modern music history, a cult phenomenon known mostly only to insiders and a cradle of the Polish rebellious musical underground, which kept the flame of uncompromised Artistic expression burning for decades, while the rest of the scene was drowning in opportunistic nothingness and anticultural shite. Of course analyzing the importance of Tie Break is impossible without explaining the political, social, economic and historical background of Poland during the period spanning about three decades from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, which is the period when the ensemble was active in one form or another. However, as usual, a scope of a music review is definitely way too limited to even attempt such a challenging task, therefore my references to these subjects will be naturally limited. It is important to remember that these were the most tumultuous years for the Polish People, and amongst them Polish Artists, which saw a gradual but dramatic transformation from the darkest pits of Socialist Regime to a free Democratic society, a process of unparalleled National trauma and Social upheaval. Tie Break hails from Czestochowa, a provincial Polish town (which happens to be the birthplace of my Father), famous as one of Poland´s most important religious centers, with the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora and its Black Madonna painting drawing millions of Catholic pilgrims every year from the world over. Even during the darkest times of the Socialist Regime the town kept being flooded by pilgrims, to the dismay of the ruling party officials. In order to change the town´s image a huge steel mill and other industrial enterprises were constructed in the area, which caused a rapid expansion of the town (and of course massive pollution). In retrospect Czestochowa had its share of unholy activities, with dozens of Beat and Rock groups active in the city since the late 1960s, and the early days of Tie Break are largely a result of this background, leading to the formation of the ensemble in the late 1970s. Music was, after all, a most popular method of escapism for young people living at the time on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The need to escape reality was as strong in the case of deep economic depression in the West as it was in the case of oppressive ideology in the East. The group went through many personnel changes during its early days, but eventually the core crystallized around four musicians: trumpeter Antoni GralakFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Janusz Yanina IwanskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Marcin PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist. The booklet accompanying this Box Set lists twenty three musicians, who cooperated with the ensemble for various periods of time over the years. The music of Tie Break was a completely unique and immediately recognizable amalgam of Rock, Funk, Jazz, Avant-Garde and World Music influences, which was light-years ahead of its time and kept developing constantly during the time of its existence. In parallel to their activities with Tie Break, the ensemble members also took part in other revolutionary enterprises on the local scene, like the legendary Free CooperationFind albums by this artist ensemble or the Young PowerFind albums by this artist ensemble, and appeared under different monikers playing more Rock oriented material, such as the SvoraFind albums by this artist group with vocalist Stanislaw SojkaFind albums by this artist or the WooBooDooFind albums by this artist group. And yet in spite of their obvious talents and brilliant music-making the musicians of Tie Break and the ensemble itself were left to vegetate on the very outskirts of the local scene, with obvious animosity and dislike from almost everybody connected to the music scene: media, record labels, press and even fellow Jazz musicians, especially those mainstream veterans who felt threatened by their innovative and uncompromising approach to music. Tie Break had to wait for over ten years to record their debut album, the eponymous live album recorded in 1988 and released a year later, and recorded only four proper albums altogether during their career. Although their music was mostly instrumental, they used sometimes lyrics in an imaginary gibberish language. Their fourth and last album was an outstanding Jazz & Poetry project, which featured the great vocalist of Greek origin, Jorgos SkoliasFind albums by this artist, singing poems written by the priest / poet Jan TwardowskiFind albums by this artist. Listening to the music of Tie Break brings on in retrospect the obvious influences that shaped the ensemble´s creations: first and foremost the improvisational freedom of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, which seems to be the most significant ingredient linking the ensemble members, but there are also obvious shades of the late Miles DavisFind albums by this artist bands with their heavy Funk, as well as contemplative Indian music, tribal chants and other folkloristic elements. And of course above all there is the omnipresent spice of craziness, madness, artistic folly and zaniness, which turn the music from being just great into being divine. Some music critics credit Tie Break for being precursors of Yass, but personally I don´t support this line of thought. Yass was motivated mainly by protest and revolt against old ways (of Jazz), whereas Tie Break were simply inventing new Jazz in a most positive way they could think off, in complete disregard of commercialism, opportunism and fads of fashion, as appropriate for true anarchists, and as most anarchist they never achieved fame and fortune, but they managed to expand the borders of our culture more than most others, for which they deserve our eternal gratitude. This Box Set includes remastered versions of the four Tie Break albums and three additional CDs with archive and radio recordings by Tie Break, Svora and WooBooDoo. Beautifully packaged and accompanied by a gorgeous booklet with original artwork and in-depth interviews with Tie Break members, this is obviously a labor of love and finally a much deserved retrospective of one of Poland´s most meaningful musical contributors. This is an absolute must to any serious Polish Jazz or Polish Culture connoisseur.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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ZAKOPOWER / ATOM STRING QUARTET ~ ZAKOPOWER / ATOM STRING QUARTET KAYAX 112 (Barcode: 5907678818737) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This album presents a live recording documenting a meeting between two Polish musical entities: The Folk-Rock group ZakopowerFind albums by this artist, which takes its name form the southern Polish town of Zakopane, the capital of the Polish Highlanders, and the Jazz / Classical Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, one of Poland´s most revered and prolific music makers in the last decade. The album presents an instrumental introduction and eleven songs, almost all composed by Mateusz PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, the musical director of Zakopower. Although all the songs (except one) are original, the music is decisively influenced by the unambiguous Highlander´s Folklore. The music is overall a typical Folk-Rock Fusion, with more that usual intricate string arrangements and some improvised Jazzy passages, which don´t dramatically influence the stylistic color of the music as a whole, but do enrich it enormously. In spite of the very crowded stage (fifteen musicians) the music is perfectly recorded and the individual vocals and instruments are all perfectly audible. Aside from the beauty of the music and the exquisite execution, the album is also important for other reasons. First, musically, as it demonstrates the infinite ways in which cross-genre possibilities are not only possible, but can also be immensely successful. And second, culturally, showing that Folklore and other musical traditions can and should be carefully preserved for the sake of our children´s children´s children. The album is breathtakingly beautiful and deeply emotional, saturated in the sound of violins, those played by Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist and Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist of Atom String Quartet as well as those played by Zakopower´s leader Sebastian Karpiel-BuleckaFind albums by this artist. The Polish melancholy and lyricism are also present, as usual, this time in a Folk-Rock costume but no less effective. The Atom String Quartet´s contributions to this music are a brilliant example of their diversity and open-mindedness, which simply knows no limitations whatsoever - a truly great achievement on their part. Overall this is a highly sophisticated as well as deeply emotional album, which should satisfy the most demanding music connoisseurs of all genres. Musical bliss!

Updated: 29/05/2017Posted: 29/05/2017

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