Record Reviews
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  | MAREK BLIZINSKI ~ WAVE
POLJAZZ / ANEX 327 (Barcode: 5907513047827) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 - 1980 Released: 2009
This is the only album as a leader recorded by Polish Jazz guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, who was one of the first Jazz guitar players on the local scene. He was a very in-demand session player and participated in many recordings as well as recording with several groups of which he was a formal member, led by such Polish Jazz luminaries like Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. He was a brilliant improviser and had a wonderful tone, which ornamented many important Polish Jazz recordings.
His solo career, however, never really took off and this was the only album he managed to release as a leader, before his untimely and tragic death at the age of 42. The album consists of two radio sessions, with Blizinski playing on both in a trio format, first with bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist and then with bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. Both these rhythm sections are considered to be among the best ones ever active on the local scene. The album includes seven compositions, all of which are standards.
Although well played, both by Blizinski and the rhythm sections, this album does not present his true abilities and sensitivities and in retrospect is unfortunately much less impressive than it could have been. Playing these standards, which present no true intellectual challenge for these experienced musicians, was a poor decision. His numerous recordings with other artists are much more impressive.
Guitar enthusiasts will obviously find here many beautiful moments of mainstream Jazz, with are every bit as good as those recorded across the pond. Definitely worth remembering!
Side Note: The PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which originally released this album, was active for 20 years (between 1972 and 1991) and was owned by the Polish Jazz Society. Considering the fact that the music industry in the Socialist State was centralized and totally controlled, with just one State owned music company producing all the albums, the possibilities to record and release Jazz albums were extremely limited. Poljazz was conceived and founded in order to allow for many more Jazz (and other) albums to be released independently from the State owned Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label and as such revolutionized the music industry at the time, being the only such enterprise in Eastern Europe. The Polish label AnexFind albums on this label reissued many of the original Poljazz albums on CD, bringing this fabulous music back to life.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | DON ELLIS / WOJCIECH KAROLAK TRIO ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.02
POLSKIE RADIO 1590 (Barcode: 5907812245900) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1962 Released: 2013
This is the second installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venue, the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The material presented here was recorded in 1962 during the 5th Jazz Jamboree and features American trumpeter Don EllisFind albums by this artist, accompanied by a Polish rhythm section consisting of pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman DylagFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. All the six tracks were recorded live during the Festival, the last of which is an extended suite composed by Polish pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist presented as part of a concert dedicated to the Third Stream (early Jazz-Classical Fusion initiated by American composer Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist in the late 1950s). On that track the quartet is accompanied by the Polish National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Of the five shorter Jazz pieces, two are original compositions by Ellis and the remaining three are standards.
Ellis was the second US musician who opted to play with a local rhythm section, following Stan GetzFind albums by this artist who did so two years earlier (as captured on the first volume of this series). Although he was just 28 years old at the time, he already had a lot of experience and quite a reputation as a result of playing with many top American Jazz acts in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His Polish partners: Karolak (aged 23), Dylag (aged 24) and Dabrowski (aged 24) sound like veterans, obviously ready and able for the occasion. Ellis was the ideal choice as a performer of the orchestral piece by Trzaskowski, as he was one of the musicians / composers involved in this genre from its early stage.
There is a clear division between the first part of this album, which includes the five Jazz pieces and the orchestral suite, which is quite Avant-Garde and geared more towards Classical music listeners. Both parts are excellent, each presenting different merits of course. The fact that Trzaskowski composed the orchestral suite at that time is quite astonishing, considering the limited information about contemporary musical trends and developments that managed to cross over from behind the iron curtain. Obviously he was a man of great vision beyond his obvious talents as a player and composer.
The wonderful ambience of the hall and the remastered sound quality are spectacular, worm and natural, leaving many contemporary recordings way behind, even though they were done 51 years ago using quite primitive equipment.
The only note of criticism about this new edition is the lack of a proper booklet with proper liner notes, photographs and other well deserved details, which this monumental music truly deserves. Polish Radio really should have made an effort there. A pity!
In retrospect this is a great document of the era and an integral part of the Polish Jazz saga, which deserves to be told and studied. The presence of the orchestral suite makes this an absolute must for collectors of Polish Jazz albums and Third Stream followers.
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | KAROLAK / SZUKALSKI / BARTKOWSKI ~ TIME KILLERS (POLISH JAZZ VOL.89 DELUXE)
MUZA 1089 (Barcode: 5907783420894) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1984 Released: 2006
This is the only album by Polish Jazz supergroup Karolak / Szukalski / BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, which united three veterans of the local scene: keyboardist / composer Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, who wrote and arranged all the music included on this album, saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album has a very unique sound due to the unusual instrumentation, as well as a superb groove, which is usually associated with American recordings. Karolak performs the difficult task of both soloing and accompanying his partners, using the organ bass pedals to supply the bass parts. Szukalski again proves his excellent taste and technical abilities, especially on the track where he plays the baritone sax. Bartkowski is stable like a rock and drives the music forward constantly, with his usual virtuosity. This music sounds remarkably fresh almost thirty years after it was recorded, and it´s probably only a matter of time before some DJ lays his hands on this stuff and makes people dance to it. Highly recommended!
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  | KAROLAK / URBANIAK / BARTKOWSKI ~ MOVING SOUTH
POLJAZZ / ANEX 314 (Barcode: 5907513047698) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2009
This is the only album recorded by the fabulous Polish Jazz trio, comprising of keyboardist / composer Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, violinist / saxophonist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist and legendary drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. In many respects this is a companion album to the groundbreaking album by the Michal Urbaniak ConstellationFind albums by this artist, which was released as part of the Polish Jazz series ("In ConcertFind albums with this title", Vol.36) and recorded the same year as this album. Both Karolak and Bartkowski were members of Constellation and therefore it´s hardly surprising that stylistically the music is very similar.
The album includes five compositions (one is a three-part suite), four by Karolak and one by Urbaniak, which can be roughly categorized as Jazz-Rock Fusion, but they are so unique and eons ahead of their time that simplistic labeling is not doing them justice. This is truly visionary music, capturing all three musicians at the peak of their creative powers. Although Karolak composed most of the music on this album, Urbaniak´s concept of Fusion / Funk are the primary forces at work here. His use of electronics to enhance the sound of his violin is simply brilliant and completely innovative. Karolak plays also brilliantly, with his Hammond ripping the sound-space to shreds. Bartkowski is driving the music forward like mad, being the Jazziest element of the music, busy but not intrusive, with fantastic polyrhythmic feel and incredible technique.
In retrospect this is one of the most important Polish Fusion albums, which sadly remains mostly unknown even to the local fans and especially so abroad. This reissue creates another chance for this album to be re-discovered, and I recommend to all the Fusion diehard fans to start looking for this gem ASAP!
Side Note: The PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which originally released this album, was active for 20 years (between 1972 and 1991) and was owned by the Polish Jazz Society. Considering the fact that the music industry in the Socialist State was centralized and totally controlled, with just one State owned music company producing all the albums, the possibilities to record and release Jazz albums were extremely limited. Poljazz was conceived and founded in order to allow for many more Jazz (and other) albums to be released independently from the State owned Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label and as such revolutionized the music industry at the time, being the only such enterprise in Eastern Europe. The Polish label AnexFind albums on this label reissued many of the original Poljazz albums on CD, bringing this fabulous music back to life.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | WOJCIECH KAROLAK ~ EASY! (POLISH JAZZ VOL.81 DELUXE)
MUZA 1081 (Barcode: 5907783420818) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2005
This relatively little known but excellent album presents Polish Jazz keyboardist / composer / arranger / bandleader Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist in a relaxed atmosphere and in company of the crème de la crème of the Polish Jazz musicians of the period that he cooperated with on many occasions before. The idea was to present a less complex / sophisticated music performed by top Jazz players, but in retrospect the result surely surpassed all the intensions and expectations and this is definitely some of the best of his work. Recorded at a time when the Jazz-Rock Fusion in Poland was rapidly developing and achieving the peak of its creativity, spearheaded by Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist and his group, of which Karolak was a member. It is hardly surprising therefore that this album includes many of the characteristics of the early 1970s Polish Fusion, which of course in term was strongly influenced by the pioneering and groundbreaking work done by Miles DavisFind albums by this artist at the time, which served as a model to the entire worldwide music community. Although perhaps more melodic than the Urbaniak´s recordings, this album has plenty of innovative moves, like the usage of early synthesizers, electric piano and of course his organ, excellent brass arrangements on some tunes and superb soloing by the musicians involved, which include trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist and Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist and many others. Karolak composed seven of the eight tracks on this album with one track being contributed by the great Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. Lovers of Polish Jazz should be rejoiced by the fact that this album was reissued as part of the extended legendary Polish Jazz series. A must!
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  | WOJCIECH KAROLAK ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.34
POLSKIE RADIO 2377 (Barcode: 5907812242374) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1977 - 2010 Released: 2021
This is the thirty-fourth 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 Godfathers of Polish Jazz, pianist / organist / composer Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, who sadly departed this year (June 2021), paying tribute to his artistry. Karolak was active on the scene since the late 1950s and his music embraced diverse genres, which included in addition to Jazz, also Blues, Rock and Fusion. The album presents nine tracks recorded between 1977 and 2010 and are a rather incidental collection spanning his various activities. Karolak composed or co-composed six of these tracks.
The first two tracks, recorded in 1987, feature the trio Time KillersFind albums by this artist, where Karolak played organ and synthesizer, which also included saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist (departed in 2012) and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist.
The next three tracks, recorded in 1985, also feature Time Killers performing three original tunes by Karolak from their only LP.
Next track, recorded in 2010, features a duo with Karolak on piano and bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist (departed 2012).
Next track, recorded in 1977, features a trio with Karolak playing organ, trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (departed 2018) and Bartkowski.
Next track, recorded in 1983, features a quartet with Karolak playing piano, trumpeter Henryk MajewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2016) and drummer Tadeusz FederowskiFind albums by this artist (departed 2018).
The last track, recorded in 1992, features a trio with Karolak playing organ, Szukalski and drummer Jose TorresFind albums by this artist.
The fact that six of the nine 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 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: 25/02/2023Posted: 22/12/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JERZY MILIAN ~ FOUR HATS
GAD 294 (Barcode: 5903068125348) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 - 1966 Released: 2024
This is the 12th installment of the archival series released by GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents the work of Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. This chapter is dedicated to Milian´s early trio and quartet recordings.
The first four tracks present the quartet with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1965 in Brussels at the BRT Studios. One composition is by Milian, one by Karolak, one is credited to all four musicians and finally one is an arrangement by Karolak of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist’s composition.
The next four tracks present the trio with bassist Janusz MarianskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz GierlowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1966 in Poznan at the local Polish Radio studio. Saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. Three of the compositions are by Milian and one is by Wroblewski.
The music is a classic mainstream Jazz, strongly influenced by the Cool stylistics, but also very much Milian’s own, full of his idiosyncrasies and Third Stream tendencies. Milian’s vibraphone playing is concise and precise, but filled of his intrinsic flare and unique sense of humor. The compositions are all excellent, as always, and reflect the incredibly high level of Jazz behind the Iron Curtain, which is on all levels as good as anything done in the “West” at the time.
Despite the fact that the recordings originate from Milian’s private archive, the sound quality is absolutely perfect, which makes listening to this music a true pleasure. As usual one has to admire the dedication and consistency of the GAD Records label for bringing these treasures back to life.
Overall, this is an incredible piece of Polish / European Jazz history, which absolutely deserves to be heard and studied. With Milian´s passing it is even more important to document his work and bring it to the public. For Polish Jazz enthusiasts this album is an absolute must!
| | Updated: 31/05/2024Posted: 31/05/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | WLODZIMIERZ NAHORNY ~ Z TAMTEJ STRONY TECZY (SOUNDTRACK)
GAD 286 (Barcode: 5903068125249) ~ POLAND ~ Soundtracks
Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2024
This is the soundtrack of the Polish film entitled “Z Tamtej Strony Teczy” (Eng. “From The Other Side Of The Rainbow”), directed by Andrzej Jerzy PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist. The music was composed by legendary Polish Jazz saxophonist / pianist / bandleader Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist and performed by an orchestra conducted by another Polish Jazz icon, recently deceased Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, and Jazz vocalist Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist. The orchestra included many top Polish Jazz players active at the time. Nahorny takes part in the recording, as does Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Wroblewski on saxophone, Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist on guitar, Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist on organ (all these names are my educated guess based on what I can hear in the recording). The album presents nineteen short tracks, which were part of the soundtrack, and one bonus track, which was recorded but omitted from the final soundtrack.
The music presents a collection of stylistically diverse pieces, which include mainstream Jazz, brilliant vocal and vocalese pieces by Wanat, electronic effects and even some Free / Avant-Garde Jazz outings, all of which were part of Nahorny’s enormously rich Jazz vocabulary, as evident by his Jazz recordings from that period, as well as other soundtracks he composed.
Of course Polish Jazz was an integral part of the Cultural scene at the time and Jazz music was very often used as soundtrack music for Polish cinematic productions, going back to the 1960s, and sadly almost completely abandoned in later years.
Overall, this is a brilliant snapshot / chapter of the “Polish Jazz in Polish Cinema” phenomenon, which presents the incredibly advanced and out of the box attitude to Culture, prevalent at the time. Nahorny, who is still actively playing and composing as we speak, is a Great icon of Polish Jazz and one of its great last Mohicans. I hope you say with us for many years to come and thank you for all that music you bestowed on us over time, my Dear Friend!
| | Updated: 08/06/2024Posted: 08/06/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZBIGNIEW NAMYSLOWSKI ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.36
POLSKIE RADIO 2422-2423 (Barcode: 5907812247720) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 - 1995 Released: 2023
This is the thirty-sixth 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 Godfathers of Polish Jazz, saxophonist / composer / bandleader Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist, who sadly departed recently (February 2022), paying tribute to his artistry. Namyslowski was active on the scene since the late 1950s and his music embraced diverse environments, playing Jazz in all its forms and idioms, between Traditional Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion. The 2CD album presents nineteen tracks recorded between 1974 and 1995 which are a wonderful collection spanning his various activities. Namyslowski composed all but one of these tracks.
The first four tracks on CD1, recorded in 1974, feature a quintet with saxophonist / flautist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist.
The next four tracks on CD1, recorded in 1975, feature a sextet with saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, Karolak, Jarzebski, drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jerzy BartzFind albums by this artist.
The first four tracks on CD2, recorded in 1992, feature a quartet with pianist Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist and drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist.
The last seven tracks on CD2, recorded in 1995, feature a quintet with the same lineup as the quartet above, with the addition of trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist.
The fact that five of the musicians playing on this album (Namyslowski, Muniak, Karolak, Szukalski and Wegehaupt) 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: 25/03/2023Posted: 25/03/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | NOVI ~ FIVE, FOUR, THREE
GAD 025 (Barcode: 5901549197310) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2015
This is a reissue of the fifth album by the Polish Jazz vocal ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist, recorded after the ensemble´s founder / leader / primary composer / arranger Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist left Poland for the greener pastures of the Big Apple, following a whole wave of his compatriots, like Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and others. Kawka´s departure seemed to have little impact on the remaining three members of the ensemble: Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist, Janusz MychFind albums by this artist and Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist. They immediately embarked upon the recording of this album, which as usual included original material, composed by Parzynski (seven of the nine compositions on this album) and Mych (the other two compositions). Three of the compositions included also lyrics (in English).
The ensemble was accompanied by an instrumental combo, which featured top Polish Jazz musicians: keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, and the Polish Radio Jazz Studio OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. In addition to the original album, this remastered edition includes four bonus tracks, two of which feature the vocalist Tomasz OchalskiFind albums by this artist, who expanded the ensemble to the original quartet lineup for a brief period. The original album was released only three years after it was recorded, which was an example of how political bureaucracy dictated the fate of musicians behind the Iron Curtain.
Musically this album was a continuation of the fantastic work they did on the previous releases, but the stress of loosing their leader and the confusion that followed is pretty obvious. The selection of material and inclusion of songs is obviously a step towards commercialism, but the album still presents several top-notch numbers, beautifully and skillfully executed, which stand up to par with their earlier work. But overall the glory days of NOVI were over and although they would record a couple of additional albums, they were moving further away from the revolutionary and innovative vocal achievements of their early days.
Considering the fact that this music has been unavailable for such a long time this is definitely another project by GADFind albums on this label Records, which deserves to be praised. NOVI fans will find this an indispensable part of their collection and hopefully we will get a complete set of NOVI reissues sometime in the future.
| | Updated: 13/10/2016Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | POLISH JAZZ QUARTET ~ MEETS STUDIO M-2
GAD 054 (Barcode: 5901549197709) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 - 1966 Released: 2017
This is a sensational archival album presenting the recordings by one of the formative modern Polish Jazz ensembles, the Polish Jazz QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprised of saxophonist / composer Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, pianist / composer Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. The music included herein was recorded at the Polish Radio Studio M-2 with the studio orchestra conducted by Boguslaw KlimczukFind albums by this artist. Twelve wonderful pieces of early modern Polish Jazz are included on this album, seven of which are original compositions by Wroblewski, two are original compositions by Karolak and the remaining three are by other Polish composers, arranged by Wroblewski or Karolak. This album is the only source of recorded material by the Polish Jazz Quartet other than their debut album released in 1965 as the third volume of the legendary "Polish Jazz" series.
The fact that the album does not include any American standards is extremely significant and points the way towards the development of the newborn Polish Jazz scene, which from its early days tried to create music different from the Jazz tradition, breaking away from the limitations and exploring new avenues, combining Jazz with the European musical tradition, local folklore and other influences, which eventually were to produce the "Polish Jazz Sound", which became an integral part of the Polish Cultural heritage.
Stylistically the music moves between Swing, Bebop and Orchestral Jazz, still very much rooted in the American Jazz tradition, but already clearly trying to break away from it, which can be heard especially in Wroblewski´s masterful arrangements, which are very different from the American Big Band convention. The melodies are also much more sophisticated and diverse that the standard Bebop tunes, which served as vehicles for improvisation, whereas in the tunes present here the melodic contents has a much larger presence and position.
The performances by all the musicians involved in these sessions are brilliant and one would never guess that this music was recorded beyond the Iron Curtain, where Jazz was in its early stages of development (at least on the National scale) and the musicians involved had very limited access to recorded material or performing experience. Listening to this album feels like taking a time machine trip five decades back in time, in order to visit the early childhood of modern Polish Jazz and the experience is truly magical.
As usual the fact that this music is available for us to enjoy is by no means trivial and only thanks to the efforts of Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, owner of the GADFind albums on this label Records label, it became a reality. Polish Jazz connoisseurs should be ever so grateful to this man for his unprecedented work.
| | Updated: 15/04/2017Posted: 15/04/2017 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | S.P.P.T. CHALTURNIK / POLISH RADIO JAZZ STUDIO ORCHESTRA ~ S.P.P.T. CHALTURNIK / POLISH RADIO JAZZ STUDIO ORCHESTRA
POLJAZZ / ANEX 312 (Barcode: 5907513047674) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2009
The material presented on this album originates from two separate LPs released by the PoljazzFind albums on this label label, each contributing one side of the original LP. The logic behind it is that the original Poljazz releases often included two sides of completely unrelated material, artificially combined for a variety of reasons, mostly economic. These two sides of two separate LPs are connected by the central personality behind the music, the Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist.
Wroblewski was the founder and leader of the band S.P.P.T. ChalturnikFind albums by this artist, which was formed in order to present Jazz with a humorous and tongue in cheek attitude, featuring well known standards as well as original material by the leader. The band included the absolute crème de la crème of the Polish Jazz scene: saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Bronislaw SuchanekFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The wonderful arrangements and whimsy performances are all brilliant, especially in view of the fact that they show that Jazz doesn´t have to be treated always so seriously.
Wroblewski was also the director of the Polish Radio Jazz Studio OrchestraFind albums by this artist during the years 1968-1978, which was one of the most important incubators and places of refuge for the young Polish Jazz musicians under the Socialist regime, providing them with a steady income. The orchestra performs a very ambitious piece of music composed by the young pianist Jan JarczykFind albums by this artist called "A Double Concerto For Five Soloists And Orchestra", which features as soloists top Polish Jazz players of the time: violinist Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz Szukalski and Janusz Muniak and trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist. Legendary American drummer Stu MartinFind albums by this artist also participates in the recording. The music is a very interesting example of early Orchestral Jazz works, which combine contemporary Classical techniques with Free Jazz improvisation.
Side Note: The PoljazzFind albums on this label label, which originally released this album, was active for 20 years (between 1972 and 1991) and was owned by the Polish Jazz Society. Considering the fact that the music industry in the Socialist State was centralized and totally controlled, with just one State owned music company producing all the albums, the possibilities to record and release Jazz albums were extremely limited. Poljazz was conceived and founded in order to allow for many more Jazz (and other) albums to be released independently from the State owned Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label and as such revolutionized the music industry at the time, being the only such enterprise in Eastern Europe. The Polish label AnexFind albums on this label reissued many of the original Poljazz albums on CD, bringing this fabulous music back to life.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STANISLAW SOJKA ~ BLUBLULA (POLISH JAZZ VOL.63)
MUZA 1063 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2005
This is the 2nd album by the excellent Polish Jazz vocalist Stanislaw SojkaFind albums by this artist, who dominated the male vocal spot on the local scene since the early 1980s and is still very much active today. Always in the gray area between Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Rhythm And Blues and even Pop, Sojka is a first rate interpreter and lately also composer. His live performances are legendary and his versatility is awe inspiring. This early album finds him in a superb company of top Polish Jazz players: pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist and veteran drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, a fantastic trio by any standard. He performs eight Jazz standards, but performed with flare and outstanding originality, using scat singing, playing with words and other improvisational techniques. This is a breathtaking performance, from start to finish, which every Jazz fan should be exposed to at some point. An absolute must!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | TOMASZ STANKO ~ WOLNOSC W SIERPNIU
FIRE 001 (Barcode: 5907587611009) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
This magnificent album by Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist includes the music commissioned by the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which accompanies the permanent exhibition. The heroic and tragic struggle to free the Polish Capital from the Nazi occupation in August of 1944 is to this very day a pivotal episode of modern Polish history, in many respects unresolved (morally and politically) to this very day. The bold decision to bestow the task of composing the music played at the museum upon Poland´s most distinguished Jazz composer is surely unusual and highly commendable. Stanko, of course, had little trouble to produce a masterpiece, which consists of a six-piece suite for Jazz combo and string orchestra. The participants are all Polish Jazz heroes, starting with the members of Stanko´s regular quartet at the time: pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. Additional players include Stanko´s veteran partners: keyboardist Janusz SkowronFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist and guitarist Apostolis AnthimosFind albums by this artist (who plays only percussion here). Another old friend, keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, is responsible for the string orchestra arrangements, played by the Polish Radio String Orchestra. The music, as always with Stanko, is absolutely breathtaking, from start to finish, performed brilliantly by all the musicians involved. Stanko´s trumpet, with its distinctive and unique sound, soars vigorously and caresses gently, both with the same magic quality only he seems to be able to produce. Overall, this is definitely one of the finest Stanko´s later period albums and an essential peace of European Jazz. An absolute must!
Side Note: It´s a great pity that this album as now out of print and absolutely impossible to find. A repress is desperately in order!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | TOMASZ SZUKALSKI ~ TINA KAMILA (POLISH JAZZ VOL.83 DELUXE)
MUZA 1083 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1986 Released: 2005
This wonderful album is the debut recording as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, one of the veterans of the local scene. Although Szukalski has been active on the scene for many years and participated in many recordings, the opportunity to make an album under his own name came only relatively late in his career path. This album is quite a surprise in many respects, as it presents Szukalski playing Jazz standards accompanied by the Grand Standard Orchestra led and conducted by Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. His tenor sounds absolutely marvelous against the orchestra´s strings and the album is one of the most beautifully melodic Polish Jazz releases. Stylistically the album resembles similar sax and strings recordings, such as those by Ben WebsterFind albums by this artist for example, and Szukalski´s virtuosity and incredible feel easily match those of the legendary Jazz Masters. He is accompanied by a great rhythm section with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Darek OleszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The music comprises mostly of Jazz standards, but includes also compositions by Polish Jazz composers like Karolak, Wroblewski, Bronislaw SuchanekFind albums by this artist and one tune by the Szukalski himself. In retrospect this album lost nothing of its power and intrinsic beauty, and any Jazz lover in the world should be able to enjoy it wholeheartedly. Brilliant stuff!
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  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ ATMA
UBX 1022 (Barcode: 884502405217) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of the second US album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, released originally on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label in 1974. It was recorded by the same group of Polish musicians, who played with Urbaniak since several years: his wife at the time, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. American percussionist Ray MantillaFind albums by this artist also took part in the recording. The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Urbaniak, including the three parts suite that gave the album its title.
The music continues the development that Urbaniak presented on his recordings since the early 1970s, creating a unique Fusion of Jazz and Ethnic elements, mostly sourced from Polish Folklore. The distinctive instrumentation and the use of the idiosyncratic explosive vocals by Dudziak resulted in one of the most advanced Fusion albums of all times, which remains completely original and groundbreaking to this very day.
Although Urbaniak authored all the music there is no doubt that Dudziak added a crucial element to the final result. Her vocal pyrotechnics are absolutely stunning and without those the music would have never reached the expressive power it offers. Her solo vocals / electronics track reveals her imaginative abilities, which were fully exposed on her solo album "Newborn LightFind albums with this title" recorded in 1972 and later also released in US on Columbia.
There is no doubt that this music was light years ahead of its time, and being deeply based in European Jazz experimentation, which at the time of its release was almost completely misunderstood in the US, resulted in commercial failure on the US market, despite its superb musical achievement. In retrospect this album was undoubtedly the absolute peak of Urbaniak´s career, especially as a composer and pioneer of innovative music exploration. All three of the Urbaniak´s Columbia albums ("FusionFind albums with this title", "AtmaFind albums with this title" and "Fusion IIIFind albums with this title") can be combined as one of the most artistically successful album triptychs in Jazz / Fusion history.
This is an absolute must to all Fusion fans the world over, now more than ever, as the genre proved to run out of steam decades ago and absolutely nothing comes even close to the quality and the electrifying powers of the music included here. Grab it as long as you can get hold of a copy! Beyond essential!
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: 08/09/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ~ FUSION
COLUMBIA 5099706552529 (Barcode: 5099706552529) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 1998
This is a reissue of the first US album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, released originally on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label in 1974. The album was actually recorded in Germany in June of 1973 and released that year by CBSFind albums on this label on the European market under the title "Super ConstellationFind albums with this title", since the group was called Michal Urbaniak ConstellationFind albums by this artist. The US release added one track recorded in the US by Urbaniak with American musicians, which was used as the title track of that edition. The Constellation was a quintet which included also Urbaniak´s wife at the time, vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, two keyboardists: Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, all top Polish Jazz musicians at the time. Constellation recorded also a live album in May of 1973, called "In ConcertFind albums with this title", which was released in Poland as Vol. 36 of the legendary Polish Jazz series, and included mostly live versions of the same material that is included on this album. The album presents seven original compositions, six by Urbaniak and one by Karolak.
The album is one of the most unique Fusion albums of all time, presenting a sensational amalgam of Fusion and Polish Folklore, pioneering the Jazz-World Fusion idiom light years ahead of anybody else. Dudziak´s vocalese pyrotechnics were completely innovative at the time and the double keyboards lineup, which allowed usage of early electronic wizardry, topped with Urbaniak´s idiosyncratic violin sound created a tapestry of sound unmatched by any other group on both sides of the pond.
The fact that Columbia released the album was truly surprising, as this music is completely European at its very core, which usually was way above the heads of American music industry executives. It took a Jewish Columbia executive Sol RabinowitzFind albums by this artist and his visionary openness to give Urbaniak a chance on the US scene, which sadly did not last for very long. Urbaniak recorded two more albums for Columbia: "AtmaFind albums with this title" (1974) and "Fusion IIIFind albums with this title" (1975) before the label gave him the boot.
In retrospect this album remains to this very day as one of the best Fusion albums ever recorded and is an essential chapter in Fusion history. It is also one of the best Polish Jazz albums of all time. Sadly Urbaniak did not manage to repeat the Artistic peak he reached on the Columbia recordings and although he is still active today, his triumphant days are long gone.
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: 30/07/2019 | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK / CONSTELLATION ~ IN CONCERT (POLISH JAZZ VOL.36)
MUZA 1036 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2005
This is a reissue of the second album on the legendary "Polish Jazz" series by the Polish saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. A veteran Polish Jazz musician, Urbaniak was a member of the legendary ensembles led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, where he played the saxophone, but by the early 1970 he switched to the violin and plunged into Jazz-Rock Fusion, rapidly becoming one of the most inventive and creative pioneers of the genre.
This album and the albums recorded in Germany and later in the USA are absolute Fusion milestones, but also stand out as completely unique in their approach to the genre. Urbaniak combined the marvelous abilities of his wife Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and her extraordinary and experimental vocalese technique with his common usage of Polish Folklore motifs, creating a superb and completely unparalleled Fusion music.
This live recording captures his baseless / double keyboard ensemble, which also includes organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Urbaniak, is simply out of this world, brilliant and fresh, absolutely resistant to the tides of time and fashion. In retrospect one can only regret that Fusion followed mostly the direction of flashy virtuosic display of neck-breaking guitar races rather than the direction proposed by Urbaniak´s Fusion, but it´s unfortunately too late now. At least we can savor this music, 40 years after it was recorded, well aged and beautifully eternal. A must!
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK / CONSTELLATION ~ IN CONCERT (POLISH JAZZ VOL.36)
POWER BROS 00119 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 1993
This is a reissue of the second album on the legendary "Polish Jazz" series by the Polish saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. A veteran Polish Jazz musician, Urbaniak was a member of the legendary ensembles led by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, where he played the saxophone, but by the early 1970 he switched to the violin and plunged into Jazz-Rock Fusion, rapidly becoming one of the most inventive and creative pioneers of the genre.
This album and the albums recorded in Germany and later in the USA are absolute Fusion milestones, but also stand out as completely unique in their approach to the genre. Urbaniak combined the marvelous abilities of his wife Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist and her extraordinary and experimental vocalese technique with his common usage of Polish Folklore motifs, creating a superb and completely unparalleled Fusion music.
This live recording captures his baseless / double keyboard ensemble, which also includes organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, pianist Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Urbaniak, is simply out of this world, brilliant and fresh, absolutely resistant to the tides of time and fashion. In retrospect one can only regret that Fusion followed mostly the direction of flashy virtuosic display of neck-breaking guitar races rather than the direction proposed by Urbaniak´s Fusion, but it´s unfortunately too late now. At least we can savor this music, 40 years after it was recorded, well aged and beautifully eternal. A must!
| | Updated: 08/09/2019Posted: | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAL URBANIAK ORGANATOR ~ D-DAY IN TOMASZOW
FOR TUNE 0171 (Barcode: 5906395808878) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2024
This is a live album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / violinist / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of the modern Polish Jazz scene and one of a few Polish Jazz musicians, who managed to develop a career in the US, including even a short stint with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. The music was a recorded by a quintet, which includes another Polish Jazz legend and Urbaniak’s collaborator for many years, pianist / organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, which sadly marks one of Karolak’s last live appearances before his untimely death in 2021. The rest of the quintet comprises of trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, guitarist Gabriel NiedzielaFind albums by this artist and American, resident in Poland, drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, three of which are original compositions by Urbaniak and three are standards. Karolak’s presence hints as to the quintet’s moniker chosen for this quartet.
As appropriate for a live album, the tracks are extended, all bar one lasting for over twelve minutes, which of course offers a splendid opportunity for musicians to solo at length, and which is highly enjoyed by the audience. Urbaniak displays his incredible virtuosity on the violin, which actually was his second instrument, as his early career was devoted to the saxophone. During this concert he plays the saxophone on three tracks. Karolak’s Hammond playing is absolutely delightful, and he was always a completely reliable player of great imagination and most importantly superb taste. The rest of the team also performs splendidly, supporting the two veterans amicably and with obvious respect.
Urbaniak’s compositions are obviously the more interesting material, especially his reference to the fusion of Polish Folklore elements with Jazz, which brought him fame in the 1970s, when he recorded the series of three such Fusion albums (“FusionFind albums with this title”, “AtmaFind albums with this title” and “Fusion IIIFind albums with this title” for ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records in the US), which were revolutionary and visionary at the time and still remain as some of the most rewarding example of this genre. Karolak played on the first two of these albums.
Overall, this is a wonderful snapshot of two Polish Jazz greats in action, which captures them at full swing, to the delight of the concert audience, and now also available as a lasting reminder of their talent. For Polish Jazz lovers this is obviously a must have item, and as usual kudos to the For TuneFind albums on this label label for keeping these memories alive.
| | Updated: 13/02/2025Posted: 13/02/2025 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ ILLINOIS JACQUET IN MEMORIAM
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2017
As the title suggests, this is a tribute album to the great American saxophonist Illinois JacquetFind albums by this artist, recorded live by top Polish Jazz musicians. The album presents eight tunes recorded over a period of one year at the Gdynia Jazz club UCHO and two bonus tracks recorded earlier at the NOSPR concert hall in Katowice. The album features ten Polish tenor saxophone players, whose ages span four generations: Piotr CheckiFind albums by this artist, Michal Jan CiesielskiFind albums by this artist, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist, Tomasz GrzegorskiFind albums by this artist, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist, Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist, Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist and Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist. They are accompanied by various rhythm sections comprised of organist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarists: Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist, Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist and Michal ZienkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummers: Eric AllenFind albums by this artist (an American in Gdynia who played with Jacquet´s quintet and Big Band) and Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Two of the tracks are originals by Jacquet and the rest are standards. Although recorded live, the album offers excellent sound quality.
The music is everything one might expect form a tribute album like this one: familiar tunes, superb playing and an obvious joy ride. This is Swing and Bebop at its best and the participants seem to have great fun but the performances are all professional and heartfelt. It is great to see four generation of Polish Jazz musicians cooperating on one stage and playing every inch as good as any American musician might do, again simply wiping out any inferiority complexes still present among Polish Jazz musicians and many Jazz fans in Poland.
Mainstream classic Jazz fans all over the world should have a great fun with this music, as it is full of the Jazz spirit and offers a high standard of playing well beyond of what is present on similar album recorded over the pond.
The entire project, including this superbly produced album with beautiful artwork and fabulous photography is an obvious labor of love and the people standing behind it deserve all the praise we can offer them, including buying the album. Great stuff!
| | Updated: 24/11/2019Posted: 31/07/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.03
POLSKIE RADIO 1599 (Barcode: 5907812245993) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1962 Released: 2013
This is the third installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venue, the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The material collected here presents recordings made during the 5th Jazz Jamboree, which took place between October 27 and 29, 1962 in Warsaw. The artists include two Scandinavian Jazz ensembles: Swedish trombonist Eje ThelinFind albums by this artist and his quintet and the Jazz FraktionenFind albums by this artist quintet featuring the Danish saxophonist John TchicaiFind albums by this artist. One track features the American trumpeter Don EllisFind albums by this artist accompanied by a Polish trio led by pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, which was already presented on volume 2 of this series, offering here an alternate take. Another track presents the quintet led by Polish vibraphonist Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, which features the legendary Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist on piano. The last track presents the Danish vibraphonist Louis HjulmandFind albums by this artist also accompanied by pianist Wojciech Karolak and his trio. At the time Poland kept a relatively open relation with the Scandinavian countries, as opposed to the Western Europe, which explains the presence of several Scandinavian players at the festival. Also some Polish Jazz managed to play in Scandinavia at that time, including Komeda.
Except for Ellis, who plays an original composition, all the other ensembles play Jazz standards, mostly Bebop, which was the model for most modern European Jazz musicians at the time, leading to the development of a new style, which would crystallize over the next few years. The performances are all excellent and their invaluable historical significance is beyond reproach. Beautifully restored sound quality and a warm ambience of the live analog recording is a true joy.
As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its meaning to the development of Polish Jazz in particular and Polish Culture in general. Nevertheless this is an essential piece of history which every Polish Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
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  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.06
POLSKIE RADIO 1625 (Barcode: 5907812246259) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1962 Released: 2013
This is the sixth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venue, the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The material collected here presents a second batch of recordings made during the 5th Jazz Jamboree Festival, which took place between October 27 and 29, 1962 in Warsaw. The artists include mostly Polish Jazz ensembles: Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist quintet (with Kurylewicz playing trumpet rather than piano), legendary singer Wanda WarskaFind albums by this artist with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist trio, Jan TomaszewskiFind albums by this artist Big Band, Jerzy MatuszkiewiczFind albums by this artist Swingtet and New Orleans StompersFind albums by this artist. In addition the album also includes two tracks by the Hungarian pianist Atilla GarayFind albums by this artist and his trio and one track by Soviet pianist Vadim SakunFind albums by this artist and his sextet, which includes legendary Soviet Jazz players like guitarist Nikolaj GrominFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Aleksiej KozlovFind albums by this artist. In many respects this is a review of Eastern European Jazz at the time.
The music includes original compositions (Kurylewicz, Garay and Gromin) and Jazz standards, from Dixieland to Bebop, which were the model for most modern European Jazz musicians at the time, leading to the development of a new style, which would crystallize over the next few years. The performances are all excellent and their invaluable historical significance is beyond reproach. Beautifully restored sound quality and a warm ambience of the live analog recording is a true joy.
As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its meaning to the development of Polish Jazz in particular and Polish Culture in general. Nevertheless this is an essential piece of history which every Polish / Eastern European Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
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  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.08
POLSKIE RADIO 1627 (Barcode: 5907812246273) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1961 - 1962 Released: 2013
This is the eighth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venue, the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well.
The material collected here presents recordings made during 1961 and 1962 by the top Polish Jazz musicians active at the time, exhibiting a wonderful panorama of the local scene at the time. All the thirteen tracks are Jazz standards performed by Jazz musicians all over the world and therefore the album is a superb opportunity to compare the level of musicianship of the first post WWII generation of Polish Jazz to their American and European counterparts. Listening to the album immediately shows that technically these players were as gifted and skilled as any other Jazz performers at the time, despite the disadvantage of living and playing behind the Iron Curtain and being almost completely isolated from the current developments. Stylistically Polish Jazz at the time was still very much under the American mainstream influence, and although Free Jazz was already making a rapid progress and breaking all the established boundaries in the US, it would take a few years until it bloomed in Poland as well.
The material was recorded by four iconic figures of the early Polish Jazz and their respective ensembles: pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist and his quintet, saxophonist / composer Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and his quintet called Jazz RockersFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist and his quintet and trumpeter / composer Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist and his group. The most renowned sidemen include saxophonist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman DylagFind albums by this artist and many others.
The performances are all excellent and their invaluable historical significance is beyond reproach. Beautifully restored sound quality and a warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy.
As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Polish Jazz. Nevertheless this is an essential piece of history which every European Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
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  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.15
POSKIE RADIO 1665 (Barcode: 5907812246655) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1961 - 1962 Released: 2014
This is the fifteenth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 material collected here presents the second volume of recordings made in 1961 and 1962 by Polish Radio in several Polish cities, presenting Polish Jazz ensembles performing American Jazz standards. Although played well, this music presents very few challenges as far as Jazz development is concerned, but from a historical perspective that stage of development was an important step towards a the creation of a new voice in modern Polish Jazz, which was just around the corner. Playing standards prepared these musicians for the challenges that were in store for them when the music made a decisive leap forward towards the new Polish / European Jazz.
The album includes sixteen tracks, by two ensembles, playing as mentioned earlier standards, in a manner still very similar to their American models. The ensembles are: Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist (saxophone) Jazz RockersFind albums by this artist with saxophonist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, pianist Krzysztof SadowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam SkorupkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej ZielinskiFind albums by this artist (thirteen tracks) and Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist (piano / trumpet) quintet with saxophonists Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman DylagFind albums by this artist (bassist Jan ByrczekFind albums by this artist plays on one track) and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist (three tracks).
Stylistically the music is based on mostly Bee Bop and Hard Bop standards, played with obvious talent and affinity, but lacking any originality. Of course this is still an important document of the era and fans of mainstream Jazz and Polish Jazz history should be happy with it.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 12/06/2018Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.20
POLSKIE RADIO 1872 (Barcode: 5907812248727) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 Released: 2015
This is the twentieth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. 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 ten tracks collected here were recorded during the seventh Jazz Jamboree Festival, which took place between October 24 and 26 1964 in Warsaw. The music was performed by four different ensembles, which are: a quartet led by the German brothers Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist on clarinet and Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist on piano with Polish rhythm section consisting of bassists Tadeusz WojcikFind albums by this artist or Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist (here misspelled as Julian) and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist (four tracks), a trio led by Hungarian bass virtuoso Aladar PegeFind albums by this artist with Polish pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej Dabrowski (also four tracks), a quintet led by Polish pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist with trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam JedrzejowskiFind albums by this artist (one track only) and finally a trio led by Dutch pianist Pim JacobsFind albums by this artist with his brother Ruud JacobsFind albums by this artist on bass and guitarist Wim OvergaauwFind albums by this artist (also one track only).
Most of the music consists of standards and the only original material is one piece by Rolf Kuhn and the only track by the Trzaskowski quintet, which was composed by Stanko and which is absolutely the best and most interesting track on this album.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 02/12/2016Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.22
POLSKIE RADIO 1874 (Barcode: 5907812248741) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 Released: 2015
This is the twenty-second 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 ten tracks collected here were recorded during the seventh Jazz Jamboree Festival, which took place between October 24 and 26 1964 in Warsaw. This is the third part of the Jazz Jamboree 1964 recordings. The music was performed by four different ensembles, which are: the Italian Flavio Ambrosetti All StarsFind albums by this artist (five tracks), led by saxophonist Flavio AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist with trumpeter Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist, Swiss pianist George GruntzFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Tadeusz WojcikFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and three Polish Jazz ensembles, Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist Quintet (one track) with trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, Polish Jazz QuartetFind albums by this artist (two tracks) led by saxophonist Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist with pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist Quartet (two tracks) with pianist Wlodek GulgowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Tadeusz Wojcik and drummer Czeslaw Bartkowski.
This is by far the most interesting of the three volumes of the Jazz Jamboree 1964 recordings, as it presents the modern Polish Jazz about to explode into modernism, which will shape its destiny for generations to come. Stanko, Urbaniak, Wroblewski, Bartkowski are still active on the Polish scene, fifty years latter, carrying the fire which was first sparkled around the time these recordings were made. The Ambrosetti set is also interesting, as it allows a glance at two legendary Jazz figures: Gruntz and Favre, at their early days. Most of the music performed on this album is original.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 08/07/2020Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.26
POLSKIE RADIO 2058 (Barcode: 5907812247119) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2016
This is the twenty-sixth 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 December 1965 during the eighth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event.
The first five tracks present the great British vocalist Annie RossFind albums by this artist, who revolutionized the vocal Jazz idiom as a member of the legendary trio Lambert, Hendricks & RossFind albums by this artist, which she left in late 1962 to start her solo career. She is accompanied by a trio consisting of Polish pianist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, bassist Juliusz SandeckiFind albums by this artist and Swedish drummer Rune CarlssonFind albums by this artist. All the songs are Jazz standards.
The next four tracks present the great Polish vocal ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist in their earliest incarnation as a quintet, which includes in addition to their leader Bernard KawkaFind albums by this artist also Ewa WanatFind albums by this artist, Janusz MychFind albums by this artist, Waldemar ParzynskiFind albums by this artist and Aleksander GluchFind albums by this artist, who left the ensemble before they recorded their debut album Bossa NovaFind albums with this title in 1967. NOVI modeled their vocal style on earlier vocal Jazz ensembles like Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and their tracks appearing immediately following the Ross´s tracks is symbolic. NOVI are accompanied by pianist Adam MatyszkowiczFind albums by this artist (Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist), bassist Janusz KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. All the tracks are vocal arrangements of Jazz standards.
The next three tracks present a quartet led by legendary Polish Jazz pianist / trombonist / composer Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist with guitarist Janusz SidorenkoFind albums by this artist, bassist Edward DylagFind albums by this artist (older brother of Roman DylagFind albums by this artist, who is mistakenly listed here) and drummer Jerzy BartzFind albums by this artist. The rare appearance of Kurylewicz playing the trombone is one of the highlights of this album. They perform a couple of adaptations, one of a classical piece by Polish composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist and the other of a folk tune and finally one original composition by Kurylewicz.
The last two tracks present a quartet led by legendary Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist with pianist Wojciech Karolak, bassist Juliusz Sandecki (here misspelled as Janusz), and drummer Andrzej DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform on original composition by Wroblewski and an extended version of a Miles DavisFind albums by this artist classic.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 03/12/2016Posted: 02/12/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN PTASZYN WROBLEWSKI ~ SPRZEDAWCY GLONOW (POLISH JAZZ VOL.90 DELUXE)
MUZA 1090 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1971 - 1973 Released: 2006
This relatively little known brilliant album presents Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist mainly in the capacity as the director of the Polish Radio Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, a superb collection of top musicians, which functioned as a catalyst and incubator to generations of Polish Jazz musicians as well as a first rate workshop and recording platform. Wroblewski, one of Polish Jazz veterans and Godfathers, led the orchestra for many years with great success and these recordings prove how great it really was. He also composed three of the six extended compositions included here with the other three composed by Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist each contributing one composition. The arrangements are absolutely brilliant as are the performances, with the orchestra fronted as such first rate soloists like Stanko, Namyslowski, Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist (playing sax on one track and violin on another), Tomasz SzukalskiFind albums by this artist, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist, Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist, Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist and of course Wroblewski himself, in short the crème de la crème of the Polish Jazz scene at the time. The music is very modern and even borders on Free at times, presenting very rare examples of Jazz orchestra accompanying a freely improvising soloist. This album is an absolute must to all Polish Jazz lovers and in retrospect is of the best Polish Jazz albums ever recorded. Grab it!
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  | JAN PTASZYN WROBLEWSKI / WOJCIECH KAROLAK ~ MAINSTREAM (POLISH JAZZ VOL.40)
MUZA 1040 (Barcode: 5907783420405) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2007
This album presents a meeting between two Polish Jazz veterans: saxophonist / composer Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist. The two cooperated in various Jazz ensembles since the late 1950s and until mid 1960s and this album marks their reunion in the studio after several years of not playing together due to Karolak´s residence in Sweden in the late 1960s / early 1970s. The two are joined by another veteran, drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, and excellent guitarist Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist and together they play six tunes, five of which are standards and one id a Wroblewski original. Karolak plays the Hammond Organ, a sound that would be associated with him for his entire future career, and his passion fro that instrument is clearly evident here. Wroblewski and Blizinski play fire solos and Bartkowski drives the quartet forward at all times. Although typically mainstream, this is still great Jazz, performed with passion and considerable talent, which should be enjoyable to all Jazz connoisseurs. Recommended!
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