Record Reviews

EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ LIVE AT THE JAZZ CLUB U MUNIAKA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is a wonderful video by the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a quintet comprising of German baritone saxophonist August Wilhelm ScheerFind albums by this artist, Polish (resident in Munich) saxophonist / composer Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist, Polish pianist Wojciech GroborzFind albums by this artist and young rhythm section: bassist Wojciech SzwugierFind albums by this artist and drummer Wieslaw JamiolFind albums by this artist. During the two hours concert they perform mostly music by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist in the first set and standards in the second set. The U Muniaka Jazz Club in the old town of Krakow is one of the most legendary and oldest Jazz Clubs in Poland and has a wonderful atmosphere due to its location in an ancient cellar. Zadlo, my dear Friend since many decades, is undoubtedly the greatest Polish interpreter of Coltrane’s music, and his virtuosity, talent, dedication and decades of experience make him a true phenomenon on stage, as can be witnessed here. But the entire quintet performs brilliantly and fans of Modern Jazz should enjoy this music immensely. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to hear the music of John Coltrane performed by European musicians, with a different aesthetic and dynamic approach usually heard on the other side of the pond. This DVD could be quite difficult to find, but making an effort will be definitely worth it!

Updated: 15/12/2023Posted: 15/12/2023

DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend

EXTRA BALL ~ GO AHEAD (POLISH JAZZ VOL.59) POLSKIE RADIO 0543 (Barcode: 5901448115439) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2005 Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Extra BallFind albums by this artist was the best and most dominant ensemble on the local scene in the late 1970s. Founded by the best young Polish Jazz musicians at the time, members of the second generation of the country´s splendid tradition, they displayed an amazing level of individual talents both as players and composers. Led by guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, the initial incarnation of the band also included saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist. Following the departure of Olejniczak and Sendecki in 1978 to form Sun ShipFind albums by this artist, the leader re-vamped the band twice with a complete new lineup, this time including trumpeter Adam KawonczykFind albums by this artist (who also became the band´s second active composer), keyboardist Wojciech GroborzFind albums by this artist, bassist Antoni DebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Marian BronikowskiFind albums by this artist. Veteran Polish saxophonist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist guests on the album as well. Stylistically this album marks a somewhat less Rocky side of Fusion with more traditional Jazz elements, but is excellent in every sense, as everything the band recorded. An absolute must!

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAROSLAW SMIETANA ~ TALKING GUITAR (POLISH JAZZ VOL.93 DELUXE) MUZA 1093 (Barcode: 5907783420931) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1984 Released: 2007 This is an excellent debut album as a leader by Polish guitarist / composer Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, presenting a set of ten original compositions performed by a superb team of musicians, including his ex-cohorts from the Extra BallFind albums by this artist ensemble. The list of names reads like a who’s who of the local scene at the time and includes keyboardist Wojciech GroborzFind albums by this artist, bassist Antoni DebskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Jacek PelcFind albums by this artist, percussionist Jerzy BartzFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew JaremkoFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Henryk MajewskiFind albums by this artist and Robert MajewskiFind albums by this artist (father and son), trombonist Roman SyrekFind albums by this artist and flautist Jan BaytelFind albums by this artist. The music is all Fusion oriented, with great melody lines. Smietana plays some excellent solos and is well supported by his partners. Overall this is mainstream Fusion, which ruled in the 1980s, so one must not expect complexity and innovation in what is supposed to be “good time” music, which it certainly is. The level of professionalism and talent expected from Polish Jazz are certainly there. Recommended to Fusion fans!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LESZEK ZADLO / EUROPEAN ART ENSEMBLE ~ EMOTION JBBO ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 Polish (resident in Germany) Jazz saxophonist / composer / educator Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist (born 1945) is one of the most formidable representatives of the first post WWII generation of Polish Jazz musicians. He was also one of the first amongst the Polish Jazz musicians to leave his country, which he did in the mid-1960s, first to Austria and then to Germany. Of course he still keeps very strong ties with the Polish Jazz scene and plays there often, and his ensembles often include other Polish Jazz musicians. On a personal note, Leszek and I have been friends since many decades. Musically Zadlo is a modernist, playing contemporary Jazz based mostly on the post John ColtraneFind albums by this artist tradition and his virtuosic abilities as a player place him in the top class of the Polish Jazz saxophonists, if not at the very top. His compositions are all classics of the Polish Jazz tradition, continuing, perhaps in the closest possible way, the path set by the compositions of Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. This album is a live recording of a quintet led by Zadlo, which also features the German baritone saxophonist August-Wilhelm ScheerFind albums by this artist and Polish Jazz musicians: pianist Wojciech GroborzFind albums by this artist, bassist Tolek LisieckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Wieslaw JamiolFind albums by this artist. The quintet performs eight compositions, one of which is an original by Zadlo and seven are standards, three of them by John Coltrane and two by Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist, i.e. classic modern Jazz material. Obviously an informal session, this music is all about having a good time and playing some great music. For listeners unfamiliar with Zadlo´s abilities as a player this is a wonderful opportunity to hear a true Master at work. Scheer also plays some very fine solos. The rhythm section supports the two soloists sympathetically and solidly. Overall this is a classic live modern Jazz recording, which should appeal to all lovers of the genre. The Zadlo original, which is also the longest track on the album, is an absolute marvel.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend