Record Reviews

MIECZYSLAW KOSZ ~ DEBUT – JAZZ JAMBOREE `67/`68 POLSKIE RADIO 2464 (Barcode: 5905610874117) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Mieczyslaw KoszFind albums by this artist, recorded a year apart during his appearances at Poland’s most prestigious Jazz event at the time, the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival. The album presents eight tracks, four each from the 1967 and 1968 concerts, both recorded in a classic piano trio format with bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist. In the first set only one of the tracks is an original composition by Kosz, but in the second set three of the tracks are his compositions. The rest are Jazz standards or an interpretation of a Classical piece by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist. The carefully restored sound quality is pristine and considering the fact that these recordings were done almost sixty years ago, behind the Iron Curtain, the sound is absolutely astounding. The life story of Kosz, a blind Genius, who died tragically at the age of twenty-nine, less than six years after the first set on this album was recorded, is probably one of the most fascinating Polish Jazz tales, but the saddest fact is that his recorded legacy to this day is truly miniscule. Therefore, the importance of this album goes far beyond the fact that the music is not surprisingly brilliant, but because it opens a window into the hidden treasures of the Polish Radio vaults, sadly badly neglected for decades, which now opens an opportunity to uncover and release a vast amount of previously unheard music, all thanks to the diligence of the editor Adam DomagalaFind albums by this artist, who promises more music by Kosz and other Polish Jazz treasures to be revealed in the future. The album is accompanied by a modest, but interesting booklet, which sadly is entirely in Polish, leaving the many Polish Jazz enthusiasts abroad in the dark. Hopefully this can be rectified on the future releases with Polish Jazz music, which has a substantial following outside of the country’s borders. Overall, this is a beautiful piece of Polish Jazz history, miraculously saved from oblivion and neglect, for all to enjoy. It fills a gap in the story of one of the most fascinating figures of Polish Jazz and a world-class Artists, which deserves to be told in full, and nothing tells the story better than the music itself. But of course lovers of classic piano trio Jazz anywhere on this planet should find this album delightful. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 21/12/2024Posted: 21/12/2024

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MIECZYSLAW KOSZ ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.37 POLSKIE RADIO 2429 (Barcode: 5905610870249) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 1971 This is the thirty-seventh installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. 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 of that period. 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. The material collected here presents recordings made between 1967 and 1971 by the legendary Polish Jazz pianist / composer Mieczyslaw KoszFind albums by this artist, which are previously unreleased solo, duo and trio piano pieces. It is the second collection of recordings by Kosz in this series. The material covers a mixture of Jazz standards, Jazz arrangements of Classical pieces and original compositions by Kosz (six of the eighteen tracks of the album) and two excerpts from radio interviews. Kosz, who was blind since the age of 12, died tragically in 1973, at a ridiculous young age of 29. During the short period he was active on the Polish Jazz scene (1967-1973) he managed to record just one single studio album released as part of the "Polish Jazz" series ("ReminiscenceFind albums with this title" Vol.25) and some radio and concert recordings were released posthumously, but of course his overall legacy is criminally limited. Therefore, every bit of music he managed to record is absolutely priceless. Although often compared to Bill EvansFind albums by this artist due the obvious lyrical similarities, Kosz was infinitely more than a Bill Evans impersonator. He had a unique style, which was a mixture of Classical and Polish Folklore roots and Jazz, which was completely distinctive. He also had a very personal sound and technique, which created the impression that he barely touched the keys even during the most powerful passages. And of course he was also a superb composer, spinning superb melody lines, which often included sophisticated hooks and twists. His expression "only sadness is beautiful" reflects perfectly his tormented personality and private life, as well as most of his compositions. Some of his later compositions encompassed strong Free Jazz elements, which would have probably played a more central role in his music, which sadly remains a speculation. But above all Kosz was a virtuosic pianist, which is immediately apparent to anybody listening to any of his recording. His technique and even more importantly his wonderful feel for Jazz was simply phenomenal. His playing is captivating and mercilessly overwhelming, and in retrospect emphasizes the scale of the loss Polish and European Jazz suffered as a result of his death. The first track, recorded in 1967, is a solo piano piece The next three tracks, recorded in 1968, feature a trio with bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist. The next six tracks, recorded in 1969 and 1970 (three each year), are piano solo pieces The next track, recorded in 1970, is a duo with bassist Bronislaw SuchanekFind albums by this artist. The next five tracks, recorded in 1971, are solo piano pieces. The last two tracks, recorded in 1971, are excerpts from radio interviews. The series, which was brought back to life after three years of absence, offers an upgraded packaging, which finally offers bi-lingual liner notes, fitting the importance of this music. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. Overall this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan should consider as a must.

Updated: 05/07/2023Posted: 05/07/2023

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WLODZIMIERZ NAHORNY ~ HEART (POLISH JAZZ VOL.15) MUZA 1015 (Barcode: 5907783420153) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2005 This incredible album presents a trio recording by virtuoso Polish saxophonist / pianist / composer Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist with bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist. Definitely one of the earliest examples of European Free Jazz, and the first Polish Free Jazz album in the full sense of the genre, it is amazing that such album was released in Socialist Poland in the midst of the country´s darkest political age. Although based on short melodic themes, the music is adventurous and pioneering in every sense and as groundbreaking as any similar recordings made at the time in US or Western Europe. The level of virtuosity and interplay demonstrated by the musicians is breathtaking and the overall musical content is stunning. Nahorny plays also piano on some of the tracks and his performance is no less virtuosic, lyrical and melodic in contrast to his free saxophone excursions. Nahorny is also known for his association with the great Polish group BreakoutFind albums by this artist, as being the first Polish Jazz musician to cooperate with Rock musicians. This is an absolute must for all lovers of Polish / European Jazz and a great piece of Jazz history!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.33 POLSKIE RADIO 2182 (Barcode: 5907812241223) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2021 This is the thirty-third installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. 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. The tracks presented here were recorded live in October 1967 during the tenth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event. The first five tracks present the American multi-reed player Roland KirkFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which included pianist Ron BurtonFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Rahn BurtonFind albums by this artist), bassist Steve NovoselFind albums by this artist and drummer Jimmy HoppsFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs two original compositions by Kirk and three standards, all pretty standard American Bebop, which at the time was already considered somewhat passé in comparison to the work done by the great American Jazz innovators headed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, who died just a few months before these tracks were recorded. The next track presents the quintet led by great Polish pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist with saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist and Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Sergiusz Piotrowski). The quintet performs one lengthy version of an original composition by Trzaskowski, clearly showing that already at that time Polish Jazz was as good as anything originating across the pond and frankly the composition is light-years ahead of Bebop, somewhat on the thin line between composed and improvised music. The next two tracks present the German quintet led by trumpeter Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist with saxophonist Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist, pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist, bassist Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaki LiebezeitFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Liebezeit Jaki). The quintet performs two lengthy medleys, each of two compositions, all original by the members of the quintet. The music is a superb example of early European Free Jazz, which was exploding at the time across Europe, with Germany being one of the epicenters of the new direction. The music is absolutely sensational and sounds today as fresh as it was at the time of the recording, perfectly illustrating the notion that Free Jazz can make sense and be aesthetically viable. It also sadly proves that the genre did not move an inch ahead in the fifty-four years that passed since. The series, which was brought back to life after three years of absence, offers an upgraded packaging, which finally offers liner notes, albeit those could have been better, considering the importance of this music. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. Overall this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan should consider as a must.

Updated: 23/07/2021Posted: 23/07/2021

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