Record Reviews
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  | KRZESIMIR DEBSKI / TADEUSZ SUDNIK ~ BORELLO
AUDIO CAVE 2023/011 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023
This is an album by the duo of legendary Polish Jazz musicians: violinist / composer Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / electronic music pioneer / wizard Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, all co-composed by the participants. The first track includes a few phrases by another Polish Jazz legend, trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, recorded during a telephone conversation between him and Sudnik, shortly before his death, and the track is dedicated to his memory.
The music floats somewhere between Improvised Music, Ambient, Classical Music and Jazz, and eschews any attempt of categorization. Debski offers his expressive violin virtuosity, while Sudnik frames the atmospheric background, harmonies and rhythms, using a wide array of electronic devices and synthesizers. The outcome is quite beyond verbal description and requires to be listened to attentively and patiently, probably more than once, before the music really sinks in.
Although Debski is mostly associated since many years with Classical Music, his improvising abilities prove to be still potent and challenging, fondly reminding the heydays of the legendary String ConnectionFind albums by this artist. Sudnik, although mostly in the shadows, following his appearances in ensembles led by Stanko, remains an innovator and dreamer, always busy with crossing borders. My visit last year in his flat in Warsaw was truly an eye opener and he has a huge collection of unreleased music, which hopefully will be revealed in time. Together, they are able to create music, which transcends genres and is wholly mesmerizing.
Overall, this is a demanding, but highly rewarding piece of cross-genre music, by two Masters of their trade, which deserves to be discovered by all true music lovers, who are constantly searching to expand their horizons. Of course it can be easily embraced as a highly original example of the “Art of the Duo”. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 23/10/2023Posted: 23/10/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANDRZEJ OLEJNICZAK ~ NEW SAX CONCERTOS
POLSKIE RADIO 1855-1856 (Barcode: 5907812248550) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014
This is a wonderful album by Polish (living in Spain) Jazz saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, who performs three "borderline" pieces bridging Jazz and Classical music, which feature the saxophone as the leading instrument. The album was recorded live with Olejniczak performing the music with the Polish Radio OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist. Drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist is featured as co-soloist on one track.
The first piece, entitled "Focus Suite", was written by American composer Eddie SauterFind albums by this artist specifically for saxophonist Stan GetzFind albums by this artist, who recorded the suite in 1961 on the album entitled "FocusFind albums with this title", which to this day remains as one of the most revered Jazz recordings of all times. The original recording features Getz supported by a Jazz piano trio (pianist Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist, bassist John NevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist) and a small string ensemble, with the music beautifully arranged by Sauter.
The second piece, entitled "Sax Concerto For Soprano Saxophone And Symphony Orchestra, was written by American composer Mark KussFind albums by this artist in 2006.
The third piece, entitled "Jazz Concerto For Saxophone And Orchestra", was written by Polish violinist / composer / conductor Krzesimir Debski in 2008. Debski and Olejniczak were both members of the legendary Polish Jazz ensemble String ConnectionFind albums by this artist, which was active in the 1980s. The concerto was written for Olejniczak and incorporates many of the themes that appeared on the albums String Connection recorded at the time and the solo saxophone parts are based on transcriptions of the violin solos played by Debski at the time. In many respects this concerto symbolizes the closing of a time loop bringing the two great musicians together again.
The music is excellently performed by Olejniczak, who has a beautiful tone and superb technique. Although most of the music here is composed, there are plenty of opportunities for Olejniczak to express his own improvised passages, making this entire performance a once in a lifetime event. The orchestra is also top notch, supporting the soloist with elegance and obvious sympathy.
Fans of Jazz-Classical fusion will find this music right up their alley, but listeners of both Classical Music and Jazz should find this music worth their attention, especially in view of its aesthetic merits. Warmly recommended!
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  | ANDRZEJ OLEJNICZAK / APERTUS STRING QUARTET ~ DIFFERENT CHOICE
QUADRANT 00022 (Barcode: 4040824081706) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
Veteran Polish saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, who was a member of such legendary ensembles as Extra BallFind albums by this artist, Sun ShipFind albums by this artist and String ConnectionFind albums by this artist, left Poland in the mid 1980s and disappeared completely from the local scene for many years. He continued his career as a musician and educator in Spain, which is quite successful and fruitful. The idea to record an album featuring the saxophone playing with a string quartet and improvising to its accompaniment fascinated Olejniczak for many years and was finally realized in 2010, when this album was recorded in Poland with the Polish Apertus String QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music was mostly composed and arranged by the great Polish violinist / composer Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist, the leader of String Connection, with Olejniczak contributing three compositions and two additional compositions being by other composers. The overall concept is to create a synthesis between Jazz and contemporary Classical music, with Olejniczak, who plays tenor and soprano saxophones, improvising at length over a pre-arranged background performed by the string quartet. This is definitely "serious" music, which has absolutely nothing to do with the popular sax & strings muzak, a music which requires attentive listening and quite an intellectual effort to follow. Olejniczak is a very experienced improviser and his tangled and convoluted solos are often challenging, and with the complex layers of the music played by the strings the total musical experience might easily prove a bit too much for a casual listener. Serious music connoisseurs however, should be able to enjoy this music profoundly. It does require several listening sessions, but the effort is definitely worth it. Such musical journeys are rare and Olejniczak (and Debski, who is definitely a major force behind this music) deserves praise and respect for pulling it through and making "different choices" indeed. It won´t probably prove to be a very "popular" album, but this is exactly the reason why such music should be made, especially at a time when Artistry is fighting for its very existence. Wholeheartedly recommended!
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  | JANUSZ SKOWRON ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.35
POLSKIE RADIO 2322 (Barcode: 5907812243319) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 - 1998 Released: 2022
This is the thirty-fifth 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 music on this album presents radio recordings of live performances by one of the most prominent Polish Jazz musicians, keyboardist / composer Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist, who sadly departed recently (February 2019), paying tribute to his artistry. Skowron was active on the scene since the early 1980s and his music embraced diverse environments, playing Jazz and Fusion. The album presents eleven tracks recorded between 1981 and 1998 and are a rather incidental collection spanning his various activities. Skowron composed three of these tracks.
The first track, recorded in 1981, features the quartet led by drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist, where Skowron played piano, which also included violinist Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Andrzej LukasikFind albums by this artist.
Next track, recorded in 1982, features one of Poland’s most important Fusion groups String ConnectionFind albums by this artist, which also included Debski.
Next track, recorded in 1985, features Skowron’s own band, which includes bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist (departed 2012).
Next track, recorded in 1985, features the quartet led by trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (departed 2018), which includes drummer Tadeusz FederowskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2018).
Next track, recorded in 1987, features the FreelectronicFind albums by this artist band also led by Stanko, which includes synthesizer player Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist.
Next track, recorded in 1990, features the quartet led by saxophonist Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist (departed in 2022).
Next track, recorded in 1991, features also the Zbigniew Namyslowski quartet.
Next two tracks, recorded in 1992, feature the quartet led by trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, which includes saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2012).
Next track, recorded in 1995, features the reunited String Connection group.
The last track, recorded in 1998, features a duo of Skowron and Tomasz Stanko.
The fact that six of the musicians playing on this album are no longer with us is a sad reminder of the phenomenon of the first generation of the Polish Jazz scene disappearing.
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: 25/02/2023Posted: 25/02/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STRING CONNECTION ~ 2012
POLSKIE RADIO 1419 (Barcode: 5907812244194) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011
Over 20 years after the Polish Jazz ensemble String ConnectionFind albums by this artist ceased to exist after several years of leading the local Jazz scene, here they are again, reunited, rejuvenated and recharged with new energies. Led by the violin virtuoso / composer Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist, who founded the original group in 1981 and who was also responsible for group´s breakup due to his mounting commitments as a composer for film and contemporary Classical music, the group also includes original members: saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist, bassist Krzysztof ScieranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof PrzybylowiczFind albums by this artist. Female vocalist Anna JurksztowiczFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The music was composed mostly by Debski (six of the eight tunes on the album) with Olejniczak and Scieranski contributing one composition each. All these players are of course masters of their trade and their performances are always top notch, as expected. The music covers a wide spectrum of compositions, from World Music influences to Fusion, with the typical Eastern-European awareness of somewhat quirky melody lines and rhythmic patterns. There are no surprises here or groundbreaking innovations, but a lot of excellent and enjoyable music. For Jazz violin connoisseurs this is a must of course, as Jazz albums with violin are unfortunately a rarity, especially those of such quality like this one. Recommended!
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