Record Reviews

TOMASZ STANKO ~ JAZZMESSAGE FROM POLAND B.FREE 6098 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1972 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of a relatively obscure album by the Polish Jazz icon Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, released originally by a small independent German label JGFind albums on this label Records. The album was recorded by the first quintet Stanko formed as a leader, shortly after the death of the Godfather of Polish Jazz, pianist / composer / bandleader Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, with whom Stanko recorded extensively for years. The quintet included the best Polish Jazz musicians at the time: violin virtuoso Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, bassist Bronislaw SuchanekFind albums by this artist and drummer Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist. This album is one of three albums this quintet recorded, following the legendary "Music For KFind albums with this title" (from 1970) and proceeding "Purple SunFind albums with this title" (from 1973, with Hans HartmannFind albums by this artist on bass instead of Suchanek), also originally released on a small German label CaligFind albums on this label Records. The album was recorded live and presents just three extensive pieces, the longest almost half an hour in duration. The pieces are credited to Muniak / Stanko, Seifert and Stanko respectively. The music is a brilliant example of early European Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which illustrates the differences between the American approach to Free Jazz and the European Free Jazz aesthetic, with is much more settled and sophisticated already at this early stage. It also shows the development of Stanko and the members of his quintet and their involvement with Free Jazz, proving to be a major step forward from what they played together on their debut album. All the musicians are prominently featured on the album, which in spite of the fact that it was recorded live, offers a crystal clear sound quality and allows the individual instruments to be perfectly audible. Seifert is spiritually closest to Stanko´s explorations and proves to be also an equally brilliant instrumentalist, being able to transform the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist inspirations into the European sphere of aesthetics, which Stanko is pursuing as well. Muniak also contributes very valuable input and the rhythm section offers an exquisite mixture of free time and discipline, which holds this music brilliantly together. In retrospect this is a milestone recording and an essential piece of Polish / European Jazz history, which is worth its weight in gold and should be a part of every serious European Free Jazz collection!

Updated: 22/04/2018Posted: 22/04/2018

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TOMASZ STANKO ~ PURPLE SUN MILO 003 (Barcode: 5907513047230) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2006 Brilliant early album by Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, one of the founding fathers of modern Polish and European Jazz and one of the most important Jazz pioneers in music today. The album was recorded in Germany and originally released on LP by the tiny private CaligFind albums on this label label, being unavailable for 33 years, so this reissue is a true blessing. The album was recorded by Stanko´s quintet, which comprises of the violin virtuoso Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, German bassist Hans HartmannFind albums by this artist and drummer Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist, and is a superb example of revolutionary modern European Jazz. The album is full of brilliant solos and telepathic group interplay with endless climaxes which go right down the listener´s spine. This is European Jazz at its best, with intelligent music and virtuosity predominant at every step of the way. I can´t imagine any serious fan of modern Jazz not wanting this album in their collection. Brilliant stuff!

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