Record Reviews
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  | ULF JOHANSSON WERRE ~ TWO HEARTS
FOR TUNE 0146 (Barcode: 5906395808618) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is a live recording by a Jazz piano trio comprising of Swedish pianist / trombonist / vocalist Ulf Johansson WerreFind albums by this artist and Polish bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech LubczynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are Jazz adaptations of Swedish and Polish Folk songs, all arranged by Werre.
The music is kept strictly within the mainstream Jazz idiom, sounding like something that might have been recorded in the 1950s. Striding, swinging piano and amicable accompaniment by the rhythm section create a very pleasant and easy Jazz atmosphere, which seems to be hanging to the glory of the Jazz tradition, but adds nothing contemporary to the proceedings.
The concept of arranging Folk songs and using them as a basis for the Jazz environment has been utilized with various degrees of success since many years. Some Polish Jazz albums managed to create sublime projects in this idiom, but this album sadly can´t be counted among them. It trivializes the Folk material rather than upgrading it within the cross-genre transition. The Folk roots and their aesthetics are completely lost here and there is nothing left except for occasional melody quote and a barrage of catchy boogie-woogie phrases.
Werre and his Polish cohorts are of course accomplished musicians and technically this music is without reproach of course, as is the excellent sound quality.
Overall, although this is hardly my cup of tea, this is still a very enjoyable easy Jazz album, which many listeners can enjoy, especially those who listen to Jazz looking for entertainment while drinking cocktails?
| | Updated: 17/08/2020Posted: 17/08/2020 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | REBIRTH ~ ON AIR
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2026 Released: 2026
This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet RebirthFind albums by this artist, which comprises of trombonist Tymon OkulusFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Andrzej FrytkoFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Leon JakubekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr GolecFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech LubczynskiFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Maciej KadzielaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents six tracks, all of which are composed by Polish Jazz Godfathers: Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist (four compositions), Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist (one composition each). The album was recorded at the excellent Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, which, as always, guarantees a superb sound quality.
The album is an obvious tribute to the three great composers, who established the artistic and aesthetic foundation of the post WWII Polish Jazz scene. All three of these great heroes are sadly no longer with us, but their music remains with us forever, always relevant and beautiful.
The interpretations presented by the quintet are full of respect to the original music, which is treated delicately, not disturbing the melodic and harmonic foundations, but also adding a very personal and quite unique touches. The atmosphere remains somewhat subdued, as if touching the original music must be done with great care and outmost delicacy, and the resulting music becomes incredibly effective, following the principle of silence speaking loudly.
Of course, as expected from the young generation of Polish Jazz musicians, the technique and performances are impeccable and the talents obvious. I must admit, with pleasure, that although tribute recordings to Polish Jazz greats are quite common on the scene, this one is definitely very unique conceptually, and far from the usual, mostly trivial attempts, which add nothing new.
Overall, this is surprisingly successful tribute album, which both pays deep respect and transforms the original music into a very personal, delicate, respectful and innovative creation, which happens very rarely on tribute albums. The only criticism is the short duration of the album (just over half an hour), which is sad, simply because I’d love to hear more of this incredible music. Well done and hats off!
| | Updated: 29/10/2026Posted: 29/10/2026 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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