Record Reviews

PIOTR BARON ~ WODECKI JAZZ POLSKIE RADIO 2213 (Barcode: 5907812244460) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist, which pays homage to the music composed by much respected and loved Polish singer / songwriter / musician Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist, who died in 2017. Baron, who plays saxophones and bass clarinet, is accompanied by trumpeter Robert MajewskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej AdamczakFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist and several guests. The album presents six songs composed by Wodecki (one is repeated twice in vocal and instrumental versions). One of the songs features vocals, one features a short rap part and another one includes spoken word, but most of the material is entirely instrumental. The music is a usual mainstream Jazz treatment of Pop material, definitely on the lighter side of the spectrum, but very professionally executed by the participating musicians, which is obviously intended for a wide audience of Wodecki´s fan base. Contrary to the opinion voiced by Polish Jazz "critics" this album does not cross over to kitsch and as far as the playing by the quintet is concerned it is a perfectly legit mainstream outing. Baron, Majewski and Tokaj are seasoned veterans and their performances are excellent as always, as is the job done by the rhythm section. Of course personally I´d prefer to hear Baron and his cohorts to play a way more ambitious material, as they did many times in the past, but there is nothing wrong with playing a bit of relaxing mainstream, based on the excellent melodies composed by Wodecki. At least they are not playing standards. Of course the circumstances sound a bit opportunistic, but the album´s liner notes explain that Baron and Wodecki, who loved Jazz and even had a Jazz period in his career, intended to record an album together since a long time but Wodecki´s untimely death sadly put an end to these plans. So this album is a sort of fulfillment of a promise rather than a less noble intent. Overall this is a very well rounded mainstream Jazz album, which does justice to Wodecki´s compositions and offers highly professional performances, with excellent soloing by Baron and Majewski and superb piano parts by Tokaj. Even the use of rap is tasteful and the arrangements of all the songs are elegant and even sort of cool. I wish the listeners were spared the one vocal part, but otherwise this is a nice, accessible but still very well done album, which will make many listeners very happy.

Updated: 06/07/2019Posted: 06/07/2019

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EWA BEM ~ BE A MAN (POLISH JAZZ VOL.65) MUZA 1065 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 Released: 2006 This is the 2nd album by the excellent Polish Jazz vocalist Ewa BemFind albums by this artist, who dominated the female vocals spot in her country in the late 1970s and 1980s and is still active today. The five songs, which were included on side A of the vinyl LP are standards, which she sings in English and the six songs on side B of the vinyl LP are all originals, written especially for her, which she sings in Polish. She is accompanied by a wonderful octet, called Swing SessionFind albums by this artist, led by Polish Jazz icon, trumpeter Henryk MajewskiFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the wonderful arrangements. The octet members include also reedmen Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew JaremkoFind albums by this artist, trombonist Zbigniew KonopczynskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Henryk StefanskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jerzy StwarzFind albums by this artist and drummer Tadeusz FederowskiFind albums by this artist. Male vocalist Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist guests on two songs and three songs have also string arrangements. Whatever Bem misses as a virtuoso vocalist, she fully compensates by her wonderfully warm tone and exceptional musicality. Her interpretation and delivery are first-rate and she is definitely a world-class performer. Although pretty mainstream, this music is done with elegance and taste, which is why it stands the test of time wonderfully. Warmly recommended to fans of female Jazz vocals!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ WODECKI JAZZ `70 - DIALOGI NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5904204733700) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is a tribute album dedicated to the music of Polish singer / songwriter / musician Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist. Initiated by his daughter Kasia Wodecka-StubbsFind albums by this artist, this highly unusual project consists of archival original recordings by Wodecki made in the 1970s, original recordings overdubbed by parts added especially for this project and finally contemporary arrangements of Wodecki’s compositions recorded for this project. Some top Polish Jazz musicians take part in this project: saxophonist Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, pianists Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist and Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist. Obviously the idea behind the project is to show the proximity and affinity Wodecki obviously held for Jazz music, proposing a “what if” alternative, which speculates how his music might have developed in a “parallel universe”, in which he would have chosen Jazz and not Popular Music as his main field of activity. The album shows Wodecki’s superb sense of melody, which of course is no surprise to any Polish music fun, and his wonderful compositional skills, which made his compositions timeless and borderless, paving the way for the arrangements present on this album to sound completely natural, as if the music was composed today. The arrangers and musicians performing on the album are all veterans and Masters of their trade, so it’s not a surprise that the music sounds wonderful and is overall a highly enjoyable listening experience. Of course it is important to keep the music in the correct context, which is all about Jazz arrangements of Popular music, resulting in music suitable for a wide audience and therefore obviously on the easier side of the Jazz spectrum. Nevertheless, the soloists and the wonderful rhythm section do exactly what is best for the music, except perhaps for Mozdzer, whose overdose of sugar-coating is, as usual, exaggerated. Overall this is a highly unusual, ambitious and emotional project, which sheds new light on Wodecki’s legacy and contribution to Polish Culture, which is accessible to a wide audience, not necessarily only to Jazz buffs, but all lovers of Wodecki’s wonderful music. Well done!

Updated: 28/07/2021Posted: 28/07/2021

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WIESLAW WILCZKIEWICZ ~ FLY ENSEMBLE GAD 038 (Barcode: 5901549197488) ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 1981 - 1983 Released: 2016 This album presents a collection of radio recordings by the Polish Jazz ensemble called Fly EnsembleFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist Wieslaw WilczkiewiczFind albums by this artist, who was a member in the legendary Alex BandFind albums by this artist. The ensemble also included several other ex-Alex Band members like keyboardist Marek WalarowskiFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Jerzy MuchaFind albums by this artist, and featured guest artists like violinists Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten instrumental pieces, five of which were composed by Wilczkiewicz, two by Walarowski, and one each by Mucha, Wodecki and American pianist Randy WestonFind albums by this artist. The music is a superb blend of Jazz / Groove / Funk, with excellent melodies and interesting arrangements, altogether perfectly executed. Although definitely on the easy side of the genre, it is fascinating and intelligent, and still sounds great over three decades later. The musicians involved in these recordings are all top professionals and manage to make the best of it. Although some people might consider this Smooth Jazz, it stands miles above what passes as Smooth Jazz these days and is infinitely more sophisticated. I had a great time listening to this music, in spite of its easy-going approach and perhaps even because of it. With music getting more and more convoluted over time, the simply stated but elegant phrases on this album are a truly relaxing and entertaining. Thanks to GADFind albums on this label Records for bringing this music back to circulation, as it fully deserves it.

Updated: 02/03/2016Posted: 02/03/2016

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ZBIGNIEW WODECKI ~ SNY PODROZNIKA GAD 082 (Barcode: 5903068120114) ~ POLAND ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1975 - 1977 Released: 2018 This is an archival album by Polish singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist, which presents previously unreleased recordings he made with the Entertainment Orchestra of the Polish Radio and TVFind albums by this artist in Katowice, led by composer / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. Of the twelve songs present on this album Wodecki composed six and Milian two and rest were composed by other songwriters. The orchestra was undoubtedly the best of its kind Big Band / instrumental ensemble in Poland at the time (mid-1970s), featuring many top Polish Jazz musicians. Directed by Milian, who gained a lot of experience working with Jazz orchestras around Europe, and who was also a first rate composer / arranger, the orchestra was able to achieve a highly professional level characterized by sophistication, which is immediately recognizable. Although the material was basically Pop oriented, the music was intelligent, ambitious and cleverly put together and executed, which is why it still sounds excellent four decades later. Wodecki, who was one of Poland´s most loved and respected singers (he died in 2017) was in top form when recording this material and his velvet voice and superb vocal performances are timeless, as are his wonderful compositions. This album is a true treasure chest and an excellent addition to his recorded legacy, especially in view of the fact that these recordings were completely forgotten until brought back to light by the GADFind albums on this label Records label, which never ceases to surprise. For the many fans of Wodecki this album is a true gem, but all Polish Pop connoisseurs should find this a first rate addition to their collection. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 06/02/2019Posted: 06/02/2019

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