Record Reviews

WOJCIECH KONIKIEWICZ / FREE FUNK TRIO ~ LIVE AT RURA 1982 GAD 091 (Barcode: 5903068120237) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1982 Released: 2019 This is an archival album presenting a live concert recording by Polish Jazz keyboardist / composer Wojciech KonikiewiczFind albums by this artist and his Free Funk TrioFind albums by this artist, which also included bassist Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek RatajczykFind albums by this artist. Recorded at the legendary Wroclaw Jazz Club Rura, it presents eight original compositions, all by Konikiewicz. To properly understand the historic perspective of this recording it is important to remember that this music was recorded just a few months after Martial law was imposed in Poland in December of 1981, in a desperate attempt of the Socialist regime to quench growing social and political unrest in the country. As usual in Poland, political dictatorship was always challenged by the country´s intelligentsia and Artistic circles, and although Cultural activities were severely limited and heavily censored, they became a primary form of resistance to the oppression. Some of that anger and frustration is evidently expressed by these young (at the time) musicians in their display of wild energy and complete disregard of authority, as much musical as political. The music is a raw mixture of Funk, Punk, Jazz, Rock and Groove, which will become the modus operandi for Konikiewicz for years to come and which was obviously influenced the late period stylistic explorations of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, who remains a major influence on Konikiewicz to this very day. Fate decided that Davis played at the Jazz Jamboree Festival in Poland just over a year after this music was recorded, immediately after the Martial law was lifted in 1983. Although the trio format might seem somewhat limiting for such explosive musical adventure, Konikiewicz and his cohorts squeeze the proverbial lemon to the max under the circumstances, giving everything, both musically and emotionally, they have to offer. Konikiewicz on acoustic piano and the Fender Rhodes is in charge of the melodic content, but his percussive playing goes hand in hand with the dynamic rhythm section, which takes care of the groove, with occasional outbursts of frenzy solo parts featuring the fretless bass and the drums. There is no doubt that the Free Funk Trio was a formative ensemble in the musical career of Konikiewicz. The same kind of attitude present here, which eschews pompous mannerisms and fake pretentiousness, will be his musical compass in the years to come, when he was involved in some the most important Polish Jazz projects during the 1980s and 1990s, alas hardly ever scoring any real-time recognition for his efforts. It was also the same attitude that ostracized him from the established domesticated Polish Jazz establishment, causing him to be active mostly on the fringe scene, refusing to compromise and sell out; an attitude which makes me proud to call him my friend. Overall this album is an important piece of the Polish Jazz history, which is brought back to life by the excellent GAD Records label, which never fails to nail the forgotten gems and expand our horizons. It is most educational and certainly warmly recommended!

Updated: 18/06/2019Posted: 18/06/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ZBIGNIEW LEWANDOWSKI ~ ZBIGNIEW LEWANDOWSKI GAD 121 (Barcode: 5903068120770) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1983 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the debut album by Polish Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Zbigniew LewandowskiFind albums by this artist, originally released on the legendary PoljazzFind albums on this label label. The music was recorded in 1983 during two sessions separated by several months, with two lineups. The first lineup was a quintet which included alongside Lewandowski also iconic trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist, guitarist Pawel ScieranskiFind albums by this artist and bass guitarist Krzysztof ScieranskiFind albums by this artist. The second lineup was extended to an octet and included also saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, second bass guitarist Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jose TorresFind albums by this artist. The original LP presented six tracks but this remastered edition was expanded by two additional tracks from the first session, previously unissued. All the compositions were by the musicians participating in the recording except for one standard. The music, influenced by the revolutionary work of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, has a distinct Fusion tinge, but is very far from an attempt to copy the great Master. Przybielski, aged thirty-nine at the time of the recording, was already Poland´s most idiosyncratic Jazz musician and trumpet Genius. He displays the full range of his abilities, and the fact that the music is Fusion oriented, offers a rare opportunity to hear him in that specific idiom, rather than within his "usual" Avant-Garde environment. His performances on this album are amongst the most extensive documents of his playing, including his weird sense of humor. In retrospect this album emphasizes the devastating loss Polish Jazz suffered with his untimely death in 2011. I had the immense luck and pleasure to produce the album "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title", just a couple of years after this recording was made, which also featured Przybielski at his absolute best. Baron, only twenty-two years old at the time, also contributes wonderfully to the album´s overall ambience, offering his compositions, most of the arrangements and excellent soloing. The rest of the players were already more experienced and their professionalism and obvious talents are clearly evident in the resulting music. Overall this is a momentous recording, perhaps one of the most important Polish Jazz albums from the 1980s, and beyond. Polish Jazz / Fusion fans should be grateful to GADFind albums on this label Records for resurrecting this gem and saving it from oblivion. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 23/09/2020Posted: 23/09/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MUZYCZNA SPOLKA AKCYJNA 1111 ~ AUTOPORTRET X GAD 049 (Barcode: 5901549197648) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 2005 Released: 2016 This is an archival album presenting material recorded by an excellent but sadly short-lived Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Muzyczna Spolka Akcyjna 1111Find albums by this artist, which consisted of guitarist Janusz KonefalFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Wojciech JaworskiFind albums by this artist or Zbigniew SzubaFind albums by this artist, bassists Maciej RodaFind albums by this artist or Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Leszek ChalimoniukFind albums by this artist. The material originates from two radio sessions recorded a couple of years apart (1975 and 1977), which produced seven tracks and a live performance at the Jazz Nad Odra Festival from 1977, which produced two tracks and finally a studio session recorded by a attempted comeback lineup of the band in 2005, which produced one track. Overall the album presents nine original compositions (one composition appears twice, in live and in studio version), eight of which were composed by Konefal and one by Szuba. Both the music and the execution are truly excellent from start to finish and the album is a hidden gem of Polish Fusion, which finally is able to reach a wider audience. Although the live tracks were released on vinyl at the time, they are long lost and with the addition of the radio and studio recordings this album finally pays proper homage to this splendid group. The music is very melodic and presents well written themes, which are ideal vehicles for the improvisations by the group members. The rhythm section supports the guitar and keyboards solos amicably and the music moves forward elegantly and intelligently, which is typical of European Fusion bands, which put sophistication and harmonic complexity ahead of flashy instrumental show-off. This is another superb discovery bestowed upon the Polish music lovers by the splendid GADFind albums on this label Records label, which manages time after time to uncover hidden treasures, which are all more than worthy to be available to the wide public. Considering the superb quality of the music and the great sound quality, this album is an absolute gem!

Updated: 21/03/2017Posted: 20/03/2017

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SPISEK ~ SPISEK GAD 065 (Barcode: 5901549197884) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1977 - 1978 Released: 2017 This is an archival release collecting previously unreleased radio recordings by the short lived Polish Funk / Jazz-Rock Fusion group SpisekFind albums by this artist, which consisted of saxophonist Stanislaw WinskiFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Leszek PaszkoFind albums by this artist and Andrzej DieringFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Janusz GoralskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jacek KrzaklewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Leszek ChalimoniukFind albums by this artist. On three tracks they are fronted by the charismatic vocalist Krzysztof CugowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, six of which were written by the group members (three each by Winski and Paszko) and three come from outside of the group. Spisek originated in the early 1970s as the Jazz-Rock Fusion group Spisek SzesciuFind albums by this artist (Complot Of SixFind albums by this artist) founded by Winski, and over the years it incorporated or contributed members to the leading Polish bands of the time, like Alex BandFind albums by this artist, PerfectFind albums by this artist, Budka SufleraFind albums by this artist and Porter BandFind albums by this artist. The group never recorded an album and these radio recordings are the only legacy they left. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Brass-Rock, Funk and Jazz-Rock Fusion, sparkling with superb musicianship and excellently crafted music. The brass section and the rhythm sections sound as good as any American or European groups at the time, and they present many unique Polish hooks. For Brass-Rock and Funky Jazz-Rock of the 1970s this album is an absolute revelation, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and ingenuity over the years. Considering that this music is available on record for the first time should make it very interesting to collectors worldwide! As usual our thanks go to the terrific team of GADFind albums on this label Records for making this music available, and liberating it from oblivion. Hats off!

Updated: 02/02/2018Posted: 01/02/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend