Record Reviews

ZOFIA ESDEN ~ ACCIDENTAL SAMPLING NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut solo album by Polish vocalist Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist, who utilizes electronics, synthesizers, loops and other devices in addition to her vocals. Several guest musicians take part in the recording, most notably bassist Jacek MazurkiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, some composed or co-composed by Esden and the rest being her interpretations of songs by others. Although featuring vocals, the music is mostly generated by electronic instruments and devices, and almost completely non-melodic in the conventional sense. It mostly escapes any attempt to be precisely categorized, which of course is completely legit. Like most Ambient music, it is totally dependent on the listener’s state of mind at any given moment. Even as far as Ambient it is pretty Avant-Gardist, certainly eschewing any conventional approaches. It is certainly a courageous statement by an Artist, who knows exactly what she wants, disregarding trends and fashions, which is certainly not something one finds around too often. Avant-Garde is not meant to be obvious, and as such it is up to the listener to make up his mind how much he can communicate with this music. Overall, as all experimental music, it is not for everybody and can be controversial, but with some open-mindedness and tolerance it can be interesting and challenging. Definitely worth investigating by listeners willing to step beyond the obvious.

Updated: 18/12/2023Posted: 18/12/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ZOFIA ESDEN ~ CONVERSATIONS WITH MYSELF NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garge Pop Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is the 4th album by Polish vocalist Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist and her first truly solo album on which she accompanies her vocals by playing various instruments, with the only exception being pianist Bogumil GralaFind albums by this artist, who guests on one track. The album presents eleven tracks, all of which are her original compositions (in two cases co-composed by others), and all the lyrics (in English) are also her own. The music is completely beyond classification, freely embracing Ambient, Avant-Garde Pop, Improvised Music and whatever seems to be on her mind at a specific moment. The only way to enjoy the music is to put away everything one knows about how music should sound and go with the flow. Most of the time Esden is vocalizing, rather than singing traditionally, often multi-tracking her vocals, creating a vocal group effect rather than being a single vocalist. The instrumental accompaniment is very limited, mostly adding rhythmic support, but occasional piano parts support the vocals harmonically. Considering the fact that Esden released four albums in just two years, all of which are quite different from each other, means that she definitely has a strong drive to express herself and is highly creative. Her music is not conventional and hardly commercial in any sense, but for open-minded listener it can be not only fascinating, but also very enjoyable aesthetically. Of course it takes an effort to get used to, but the estranged and even weird external appearance makes perfect sense after a while. Overall, this is a very unusual and courageous statement from an Artist, who strongly feels a need to express herself in as many ways as possible and is bursting with activity and creativity, all of which I respect and admire. Her music is always welcome in my ears!

Updated: 24/09/2025Posted: 24/09/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GDYNIA IMPROVISERS ORCHESTRA ~ MILIONY SLONC NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the 2nd album by Gdynia Improvisers OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. GIOFind albums by this artist), recorded live during the celebration of the sixth anniversary of the orchestra’s founding. The orchestra includes nineteen instrumentalists and vocalists (including Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist) and is conducted by Marcin BozekFind albums by this artist, the founder and leader, who employs a non-conventional conducting technique using body gestures. The album presents four lengthy tracks, which are not credited. Four years ago I published a review of the debut album recorded by GIO, called "Plastikowy JednorozecFind albums with this title", which was recorded live during the orchestra’s first public appearance. I must say that surprisingly, the main point of my review, which stated that there was almost no improvisation whatsoever in the music on that album, and which makes the usage of “improvised” rather misleading, is still somewhat valid on this album, but I am happy to say that there are many, and more importantly quite wonderful improvised music parts present this time, which makes the whole album way more interesting. But there are still extensive parts, which are obviously pre-composed and rehearsed, same as on the debut album. Another characteristic, which connects this album to the debut, is the fact that most of the improvisations are performed by the vocalists, and those are unquestionably the most thrilling element of this album. Of course the concept of the large ensemble, which includes musicians from a cross-genre environment, is most welcome and the outcome is a fascinating musical experience, which offers a truly exciting listening adventure. Overall, this is a much stronger effort by the orchestra, in comparison to the debut, which is of course great news. Although this music is obviously way more interesting when heard live, as is always the case with Improvised Music, this album is definitely a nice document of the event and offers a fascinating listening journey. Well done!

Updated: 26/09/2025Posted: 26/09/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

OSNIALOWSKI / ESDEN / GRALA ~ POZA CZASEM NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Sung Poetry Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 3rd album by Polish vocalist / composer Zofia EsdenFind albums by this artist, and her second cooperation with keyboardist / composer Bogumil GralaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, eleven of which feature lyrics by poet Marian OsnialowskiFind albums by this artist and one is an instrumental. All the compositions are co-credited to Esden and Grala, except one track, which is by Esden. The music completely defies categorization, which seems to be the usual modus operandi with Esden, who seems to have no problem with shunning any conventionality. In addition to her vocals / recitation, she uses electronics and plays the glass harp. Grala plays mostly acoustic piano, which creates an interesting contrast to the rather eerie effects used by Esden. There is an obvious melodic coherence, which tends to be mostly within typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, but combined with the texts and additional sound effects, the overall atmosphere is rather uncanny / mysterious, fitting perfectly the lyrics. Of course the focus here is on the poetry by Osnialowski, who is sadly very little known in his homeland. He tragically took his own life in Paris, where he lived after leaving Poland, with no possibility to return, being refused entry by the Socialist regime. He is considered as one of the Polish “Cursed Poets” (Poètes Maudits) and surely deserves more exposure. Overall, this is a highly interesting album, which pays tribute to a forgotten Polish poet, who deserves a wider recognition. It is challenging musically and aesthetically, but is definitely worth the effort required in order to absorb its full meaning. As usual in such cases I raise my hat in honor of the intellectual courage and nonconformity.

Updated: 16/12/2024Posted: 16/12/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend