Record Reviews

DZAMBLE ~ KAZDY MARZY KAZDY SNI GAD 063 (Barcode: 5901549197860) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2017 This is an archival release of radio recordings by the excellent Polish group DzambleFind albums by this artist. These recordings were done by the last incarnation of the group, which included the charismatic vocalist / saxophonist Andrzej ZauchaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Ryszard KwasniewskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Wieslaw WilczkiewiczFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Stefan SendeckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Marian PawlikFind albums by this artist and drummer Benedykt RadeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, five of which are originals composed by Sendecki, Pawlik and Wilczkiewicz, two are composed by the prolific Polish composer Jacek MikulaFind albums by this artist and another two are arrangements of Pop songs (sung in English). Two of these recordings are previously unreleased, six were released as singles and one was released in a compilation set only. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Pop / Rock / Groove / Funk / Jazz, which still sounds great as if untouched by time. All the instrumentalists are experienced and highly skilled players and the album sparks with ideas and excellent solo parts. Zaucha´s vocals are absolutely marvelous and his Jazz and Rock experience is of course quite evident here. Considering the fact that the group released only one studio album, eight years before this material was recorded, and the fact that Zaucha was tragically killed some years after these recordings, the material included here is a goldmine of excitement for many of the group´s and Zaucha´s followers. The recordings have an excellent sound quality and the album includes intelligent liner notes with historical background information about the group and the circumstances of the recording sessions. As usual thanks are due to GADFind albums on this label Records for bringing this music back to circulation.

Updated: 13/02/2020Posted: 29/01/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

WLADYSLAW SENDECKI / ATOM STRING QUARTET ~ LE JARDIN OUBLIE / MY POLISH HEART NEU KLANG 4198 (Barcode: 4012116419832) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by the Polish (resident in Germany) pianist / composer Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by the highly esteemed Polish Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist (violinists Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist and Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist and cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist). The album presents ten compositions, five of which are original composition by Sendecki, two were composed by his brother Stefan SendeckiFind albums by this artist, one was composed by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, another one by Polish Classical composer Karol SzymanowskiFind albums by this artist and finally one was composed by the German composer Wolf KerschekFind albums by this artist. Three of the compositions were arranged by the great British composer / arranger Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist. The music focuses on relatively little known facet of Sendecki´s activity and is mostly dedicated to contemporary Classical music, with relatively limited Jazz references. The piano / string quartet setting suits this musical direction ideally of course and the chamber atmosphere prevails throughout. The piano concerto "My Polish Heart" was composed especially by Kerschek for Sendecki and was performed by him with the NDR Big Band, of which he is the resident pianist. The intimate version of this wonderful piece present here includes only part of the entire composition, but reflects the spirit of the work perfectly. All the pieces on the album are full of the characteristic Polish melancholy and lyricism, which can be found in all Polish music regardless of the genre: Classical, Jazz, Rock or Folklore. The most Jazz oriented piece on the album is of course the "Komeda Hommage", which is a medley of two Komeda´s compositions, brilliantly combining the Jazz and Classical idioms thanks to the unique arrangement by Sendecki and the Atoms and taking a form of a beautiful suite. This album requires very serious listening with attention to details and patience, as it offers a wealth of musical thrills in every aspect. The compositions, arrangements and performances are all loaded with deeply emotional content and are full of virtuosic performances, which are very difficult to be absorbed all at once. Each listening experience promises new discoveries of course. Overall this is a wonderful album full of great music, which offers a Jazz-Classical Fusion of the highest caliber. Lovers of Polish music, regardless of style and fashion, should be delighted by what this album has to offer.

Updated: 11/11/2018Posted: 11/11/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend