Record Reviews
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  | ANGELA GABER ~ ZORIA: DZIEWCZYNKA Z GWIAZD – CICHY MEMORIAL
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
This is the third album by Polish World Music singer / songwriter Angela GaberFind albums by this artist recorded with the same group of musicians who worked with her on the two previous albums: cellist Anna Maria NiemiecFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tomasz DybalaFind albums by this artist, duduk and bodhràn player Wojciech LubertowiczFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Przemyslaw PankiewiczFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mateusz SzemrajFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, five of which are original songs (well one is an instrumental), with lyrics by Gaber and music co-composed by Gaber and other people. One song is a cover of a Polish Pop song. Since the playing time of the CD is only slightly above half an hour it is rather an EP than a full CD album.
Musically this album continues exactly what Gaber offered on her previous releases, i.e. deeply melodic, lyrical Folk influenced music, which is highly emotional and on this album especially deeply melancholic in view of the tragic circumstances which surround it. The instrumental accompaniments are all delicate and often even minimalist, but always superbly played by the musician involved, a classic example of "less is more".
Gaber´s vocals are as usual heartfelt and offer an excellent delivery both when singing lyrics or using vocalese. She is definitely one of my favorite Polish female vocalists across the genres, and personally I am sorry she does not record more frequently, which will hopefully happen in the future.
Although, as already mentioned above, this album is way too short to offer a full scale picture of the potential and talents of Gaber and her cohorts, it is still a gem of an album, which for lack of a better solution can be simply put on "repeat", while we wait for the next one. In the meantime enjoy the honesty, elegant modesty and incredible musicality it offers. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 28/06/2019Posted: 28/06/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TWO I AM ~ LAND ART
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5908252860807) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019
This is the debut album by Polish duo called Two I AmFind albums by this artist, which consists of vocalist / songwriter Barbara BlaszczykFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Przemyslaw PankiewiczFind albums by this artist. Cajon player Wojciech LubertowiczFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Blaszczyk and one is a standard. Four of the tracks feature lyrics, one in Polish and three in English. The music was arranged and produced by Pankiewicz.
The music absolutely escapes classification, and for lack of a better option I see it as a Jazz-World Fusion, as it amalgamates Jazzy moods and improvisations with strong Polish Folklore inspirations. But regardless of which definition one wants to apply here, the music is absolutely brilliant from start to finish.
The intimate vocal / keyboards setting is perfect in this case and lacks absolutely nothing to make this music work. Blaszczyk offers beautiful voice parts in a wide palette of vocalese and singing, while Pankiewicz provides sensitive and imaginative accompaniment, delicately emphasizing the vocal parts and managing to work out some impressive solo parts as well.
The music is like a breath of fresh air, deeply melancholic and highly melodic but at the same time spacey and open enough to include improvisation and leave something for the listener´s imagination.
Personally I prefer when Blaszczyk uses vocalese and honestly think that using lyrics, especially those in English, degrades the result on the whole, but it certainly is not fatal.
Overall this is an exceptional debut effort, which leaves the listener wishing for more, which hopefully will arrive soon. It proves that the young generation of Polish Jazz musicians is open to explore and bravely take the path less travelled. Congratulations are in order!
| | Updated: 04/04/2020Posted: 28/03/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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