Record Reviews

PIOTR RODOWICZ ~ RAZEM NA TEJ ZIEMI SOLITON 1008 (Barcode: 5903684230082) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr RodowiczFind albums by this artist recorded with a bunch of "friends" like pianist Bogdan HolowniaFind albums by this artist, flautist Ryszard BorowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jaroslaw BothurFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mark WaggonerFind albums by this artist and drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original pieces (one in two versions), seven composed by Rodowicz and three by Holownia. The music is all strictly melodic mainstream Jazz, on the lighter side of the idiom, but the compositions are solid and well crafted, and in the hands of these veteran performers they are all also splendidly executed. Although this is not the kind of Jazz I tend to listen to on an everyday basis, I firmly believe that it is a legitimate part of the genre, especially since it is accessible to a much wider audience than just the hardcore Jazz buffs. As long as the music has an intrinsic artistic value, is honest and professionally executed, it is fine with me, regardless of what the Jazz snobs my say. Overall this is a lightweight, pleasant listening experience, with Jazzy flavor and a solid entertainment value. Recommended for listeners with such inclinations!

Updated: 10/09/2020Posted: 10/09/2020

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PIOTR RODOWICZ ~ ZAPOMNIENI KOMPOZYTORZY POLSCY SOLITON 1325 (Barcode: 5903684233250) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr RodowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with pianist Bogdan HolowniaFind albums by this artist, flutist Ryszard BorowskiFind albums by this artist and guitarist Mark WaggonerFind albums by this artist. It is the 2nd release in a series, which commemorates the legacy of Polish / Jewish composers, who perished during the Holocaust and their work is sadly mostly forgotten. The album presents eight tracks, composed four each by Artur GoldFind albums by this artist and Leon BorunskiFind albums by this artist, both of which were highly active in the early Polish Jazz scene. During the period between the two World Wars, Polish Jews contributed a vast share of the Polish Culture, in Poetry, Literature, Theatre, Cinema and of course Music. Tragically, all those who did not manage to escape the Holocaust, perished with the rest of Polish Jewry, with most of their legacy lost forever. The music presents Jazzy interpretations of the original music, elegantly recorded in an intimate acoustic quartet by experienced musicians, and the result is a highly melodic, pleasant listening experience on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but full of respect to the original compositions. Overall, this is a wonderful tribute to forgotten heroes of the Polish / Jewish composers / musicians, who are truly worthy of being remembered. The life story and musical legacy of both these composers, whose music is included here, is a fascinating part of Polish Cultural legacy, and I am thankful to Piotr Rodowicz for keeping the flame alight.

Updated: 04/01/2024Posted: 04/01/2024

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STRZELCZYK / ERENC / RODOWICZ ~ CHOPIN ON STRINGS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the Polish trio comprising of violinist Maciej StrzelczykFind albums by this artist, guitarist Romuald ErencFind albums by this artist and bassist Piotr RodowiczFind albums by this artist, who as the title suggests present twelve Jazzy arrangements of musical pieces originally composed by the Polish composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist. The music of Chopin has been a source of inspiration for endless Polish Jazz recordings, up to the point where it seemed the subject is simply exhausted. In the last decade however, there have been considerably fewer attempts to tackle Chopin´s music, and this project is a nice breath of fresh air. Since most Chopin projects are obviously piano based, the idea to transcribe the music for string instruments is original and changes the entire point of view of contemporary interpretation of his music. The arrangements take a lot of liberties with the original music, especially in the rhythmic sense, which might be frowned upon by some purist, but the concept of freedom in interpreting music is a principle that should not be questioned. As a result, the listeners are exposed to familiar Chopin pieces, played in Bossa Nova rhythmic disguise, and other such unusual scenery, but the music is treated with respect and obvious love, as appropriate for the Polish National composer. The music is very carefully executed by the three gifted instrumentalists, and the album is altogether a pleasant listening experience, which bridges Classical and Jazz Music in a new and original way. Although definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, it certainly has its audience and is a lot of fun to listen to. The music is excellently recorded and the resulting sound quality is another asset of this album. Lovers of Chopin´s music and accessible Jazz should have a field day with this.

Updated: 24/09/2017Posted: 24/09/2017

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