Record Reviews

RANDY BRECKER / WLODEK PAWLIK ~ NIGHT IN CALISIA LICOMP 014 (Barcode: 5903034005490) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the second album on which the legendary American trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist cooperates with Polish Jazz pianist / composer Wlodek PawlikFind albums by this artist, performing a Jazz suite composed by Pawlik. Their previous cooperation resulted in the album "Tykocin Jazz SuiteFind albums with this title", which was very warmly received by critics and audiences alike. This time they perform the "Night In CalisiaFind albums with this title" suite, which was commissioned by the Polish City of Kalisz to commemorate its 1850 Anniversary. The music is performed by Brecker, a piano trio led by Pawlik with bassist Pawel PantaFind albums by this artist and drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist and the Kalisz Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Adam KlocekFind albums by this artist. The suite is sub-divided into six sections, which together provide a continuous flow of integrated music. The suite is based on several melodic themes, which reappear throughout the sections, with some passages performed by the orchestra and others featuring the piano trio and the trumpeter. There are several extended solos, all executed perfectly as expected from such high-class musicians. The instrumentation and arrangements balance beautifully between the Jazz undercurrent and the orchestral parts, with naturally tend to sound more Classical in nature. The music is wonderfully lyrical and melodic, tranquil and serene most of the time, simply stroking the listener´s attention note by note. Brecker plays simply outstanding, with exceptional clarity and stability, which is extremely difficult. Pawlik fills the space with the melodic motifs, always attentive and gentle. The bassist displays sheer virtuosic qualities and a warm sound of rare beauty and the veteran drummer keeps time, when keeping time is needed and gently strokes the set during the more atmospheric passages. This is pure bliss. I suppose some listeners and Jazz connoisseurs might find this music to be slightly "sugary" at times. Well, perhaps so, but it certainly does not bother me at all. This is supposed to be a melodic, Jazz oriented amalgam of cross-genre explorations, well framed within the Classical tradition as well as the Jazz heritage. Pawlik is obviously a Master of his trade, which anybody listening to this recording must admit fair and square. There is a plentitude of wonderful Jazz / Classical interplays, which are intelligent, interesting and entertaining. The artistry involved both in the composition as well as the execution of this music is definitely praiseworthy. This album is highly recommended to listeners, who love the proximity of Jazz and contemporary Classical music, and who will find this work delicious at all times. Pawlik confirms his position as a major force on the Polish Jazz scene and listening to Brecker´s trumpet is always a pleasure. Well done!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

WLODEK PAWLIK ~ GRAND PIANO ARMS 06-07 (Barcode: 5900238791051) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 Polish pianist / composer Wlodek PawlikFind albums by this artist has been one of the most prolific and multifaceted / versatile musicians on the local scene. His activity spans cross-genre projects, ranging between contemporary Classical, Jazz and music for films, all of which have been warmly received by critics and the public. His discography since the late 1980s includes over 20 albums, which is a remarkable achievement by any standard. This double CD package presents Pawlik playing two sets of solo piano music, recorded during two consecutive night recording sessions. The music is completely improvised and consists of a series of pieces, or as the artist calls them impressions, which were created on the spur of the moment. They are left unnamed and are listed as Track 1 to Track 11 on the first CD and Track 1 to Track 14 on the second, perhaps in order to avoid and unnecessary associations while listening to the music. Solo piano albums, and double albums at that, can present an enormous challenge both to the performer and the listener. Two hours of improvised music can and often do evolve into obsessive New Age doodling, pretentious pseudo-intellectual masturbation or deadly boring elevator muzak. Pawlik skillfully and intelligently manages to avoid any of the above traps, producing a sequence of musical vistas, which sound like a soundtrack to an imaginary movie, constantly changing moods, tempi and harmonic structures, but unified and consolidated by a certain frame of mind of the artist, which he passes to the listener. This is certainly a challenging music, stimulating the listener to take part in the creative process when absorbing it into his consciousness or perhaps sub-consciousness. Perhaps not suitable for everybody, this music can serve as a great source musical pleasure to the apt listener. It is also deeply European in character, with distant echoes of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy and others at least in spiritum. The obvious Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist association also comes to mind, although Pawlik´s approach to on the spot composition / improvisation is much more introvert and relaxed than Jarrett´s. Solo piano lovers will find this album a chest a treasures, as all serious music connoisseurs. This is a treat!

CD 2 Gold Recommend To A Friend

WLODEK PAWLIK ~ STRUNY NA ZIEMI POLSKIE RADIO 1395 (Barcode: 5907812243951) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is a beautiful album by Polish pianist / composer Wlodek PawlikFind albums by this artist, which presents a Jazz & Poetry project dedicated to the poetry of Jaroslaw IwaszkiewiczFind albums by this artist, one of the most renowned 20th Century Polish literary figures, although quite controversial on the convoluted Polish political landscape. Pawlik created sixteen musical settings to poems by Iwaszkiewicz, which are executed by a fabulous cast which includes vocalists Lora SzafranFind albums by this artist and Marek BalataFind albums by this artist, actor Robert WieckiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel PantaFind albums by this artist, drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mikolaj WieleckiFind albums by this artist. The Jazz & Poetry idiom has always been one of great fortes of Polish Jazz and the beautiful Polish poetry seems always to magically inspire musicians and makes them to come up with their best work. This album is another example of this phenomenon and it is absolutely wonderful from start to finish. Pawlik seems to be completely comfortable with the short "song" oriented environment and weaves a series of beautifully melodic, expressive and impressive pieces, which are certainly among his strongest manifestations as a composer. The vocals and recitation are also superbly executed, with Szafran demonstrating again that she has but a few equals. A pity she does not record more, as her singing is always a source of heavenly pleasure. The instrumental quartet performs spotlessly, with Pawlik sensitive and lyrical phrases amicably and masterfully accompanied by the excellent rhythm section. Overall this is a classic example of the Jazz & Poetry idiom, which glorifies the Polish Culture in the best possible way. The combination of words and music is probably the most powerful tool to bring the best out of the Artists and the listeners. Of course the lyrics in Polish seemingly limit the audience to the Polish speakers, but honestly this album can move the hearts of listeners who do not understand a word of Polish by the sheer magic of its intelligence and intellectual content. Strangely this album made very little impact on the Polish scene at the time of its release. Some people probably can´t bury political hatchets even when it comes to Culture…

Updated: 10/10/2016Posted: 10/10/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend