Record Reviews

MARIA POMIANOWSKA & GROUPE GAINDE ~ WARSZAWA - DAKAR FOR TUNE 0069 (Barcode: 5902768701715) ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is an album by Polish multi-instrumentalist / vocalist / composer Maria PomianowskaFind albums by this artist, who is a leading figure on the local Ethno / Folklore / World Music scene, on which she cooperates with a Senegalese ensemble called Groupe GaindeFind albums by this artist and a couple of Polish World Music multi-instrumentalist: Pawel BetleyFind albums by this artist and Gwidon CybulskiFind albums by this artist. Together the collective ensemble performs eleven pieces, most of which are Polish or Senegalese traditional songs and three are originals by Pomianowska. The idea behind such multiculti projects is of course a process of amalgamation of the separate cultural ingredients into a new entity, which is supposed to be different from the original sources of influence. In this respect this album fails its objective, as the resulting music remains very closely connected with Polish Folklore and the African vocals, instruments and rhythms serve only as ornamentation and are unable to have any profound musical influence. Even the traditional Moroccan or Senegalese tunes sound more Polish than their true place of origin. This happens due to the arrangements by Pomianowska, who is the driving force of this project, and who has a very dominant influence on these proceedings. Nevertheless the music is still a fine example of Folklore / World Music, very well executed both vocally and instrumentally, and a nice listen to all fans of the genre. Polish lyrics might be a hurdle for non-Polish listeners, but these days it is of little significance. The beautiful melancholic Polish Folklore songs are all true gems, with the only problem being that they are all very similar melodically and harmonically, and after a while start to sound a bit tiresome. Overall this album is certainly worth exploring by World Music fans, although it offers a much "localized" perspective of the genre.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JANUSZ SZROM ~ JANUSZ SZROM NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is a brilliant album by veteran Polish Jazz vocalist / composer Janusz SzromFind albums by this artist, performed using only multi-tracked vocals and no instrumental backing whatsoever. The album presents twenty-one relatively concise tracks, mostly originals, composed by Szrom (eight tracks) and Pawel BetleyFind albums by this artist (also eight tracks) and a few others. Only two tracks are songs including lyrics, all the rest are pure vocalese. Although the concept of unaccompanied solo vocal albums is not new as such – see the phenomenal and revolutionary "The VoiceFind albums with this title" by Bobby McFerrinFind albums by this artist from 1984 – but those are very rare indeed. It takes not only skill and talent, but first of all also courage and imagination to undertake such a demanding task and it´s great to see Szrom fearlessly and proudly facing the immensely difficult challenge and successfully create a beautiful piece of music. The music offers a diverse collection of musical themes, which mix Jazz with World Music, Pop and other genres. The performances utilize a plethora of vocal techniques, including a cappella, imitation of instruments, rhythmic phrasing, scat, complex harmonies and so on. Szrom´s impressive vocal range manages to produce an imitation of vocal groups, like the legendary Polish NOVIFind albums by this artist vocal ensemble, or other ensembles like Les Double SixFind albums by this artist or Swingle SingersFind albums by this artist, all created in this case by the voice of a single person. It doesn´t really make sense to say much more about this music, as nothing is able to replace the actual experience of listening to it of course. Overall this is a stunning, unique, and completely overwhelming album, which should astonish the connoisseurs of vocal Jazz, or in fact all lovers of the human voice, knocking them out of their socks. I can´t imagine any true music lover not falling in love with this gem immediately and I hope it gets to be heard by as many music lovers around the world as possible. Hats off my Friend! Chapeau bas, etc.!

Updated: 30/03/2020Posted: 30/03/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend