Record Reviews

ADAM BALDYCH & LESZEK MOZDZER ~ PASSACAGLIA IMAGINARY MUSIC 001 (Barcode: 5905817210015) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by a two Polish Jazz musicians: violinist / composer Adam BaldychFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short tracks, six composed by Baldych, two composed by Mozdzer, four co-composed by them both and finally three Classical compositions, one by Eric SatieFind albums by this artist, one by Medieval 12th Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist and one by Renaissance 16th Century composer Josquin des PrezFind albums by this artist. I have followed closely the development of Baldych’s career from the very early stage, noticing immediately not only his exceptional talent as a musician, but also his determination and understanding of the investment needed to build an international career, which was quite unique among his Polish peers. He asked of me to write the liner notes for one of his early albums, the “Magical TheatreFind albums with this title” from 2011, which I did with pleasure. This might have led to his acceptance as part of the roster of the German ACTFind albums on this label Records label, a step which boosted his international career tremendously. Baldych released a series of highly successful albums on ACT over the years, but this new release marks the next step in building his career, the establishment of his own record label / publishing company, called Imaginary MusicFind albums on this label, with this album being its debut release, and his Wife’s album “ButterflyFind albums with this title” appropriately released hand in hand. Considering the classy, fashionable design and packaging of these products, he certainly knows what he is doing. Classically trained, Baldych obviously feels close to his sources and knows perfectly well how to incorporate them in his music, which is always characterized by a deeply melodic appeal, with the Jazzy improvisations ideally suited to caress and delicately embellish the melodic core. He uses the beautiful sound of his Renaissance violin, in addition to the usual instrument, to extend the palette and uses plucking extensively, which makes the violin sometimes sound almost like a guitar, and again expanding the sound variety. Baldych always had an incredible talent to compose incredibly touching melodies, which are simply irresistible, and which are often heart-melting even in the case of most hardened opposition. While listening to the album I had often a notion that the music was somewhat out of contemporary time-frame, perhaps something one would expect from a Baroque-period collection of pieces. Although there is plenty if improvisation, it remains so “well-hidden”, almost camouflaged, as if being an integral part of the compositions, rather than their extrapolations. This might be a very clever way to bring listeners nor used to improvisation to listen to this music without any predispositions. Overall, this is a sophisticated cross-over between Jazz-Classical Fusion and almost cinematic contextual music, which offers beautiful melodic themes, richly encrusted in delicate improvisations, which should apply a wide range of listeners, mostly not necessarily Jazz oriented ones. It is a step into a different musical dimension from what used to be Baldych’s modus operandi, but not so radically different than it may appear at first glance. Almost meditative at times, it is surely a magical sound experience.

Updated: 28/03/2024Posted: 28/03/2024

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KARI SAL ~ BUTTERFLY IMAGINARY MUSIC 002 (Barcode: 5905817210008) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the second album by Polish vocalist / songwriter Kari SalFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team of musicians, which includes her husband, violinist Adam BaldychFind albums by this artist, Swedish pianist Jacob KarlzonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Kacper BudziszewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman ChraniukFind albums by this artist and drummer Dawid FortunaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs, all composed by her (three co-composed with her husband) and all (except one) with her lyrics, sung in English. Recorded at the fabulous Tokarnia 2.0 studio and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, the result offers the expected wonderful sound quality. It was released on the new Imaginary MusicFind albums on this label label, founded by Baldych. Sal kept us all in suspense since the release of her debut album in 2017, which I personally loved immediately. It seems the long break did not damage her creative flow and this album certainly delivers a refined and mature set of songs, beautifully performed by all the participants. Baldych’s superb violin (also Renaissance violin) parts provide the sophisticated ornamentation and settle the mood, while Karlzon’s piano add a Romantic as well as Jazzy accents. The music is a delicate amalgam of many diverse influences, from clear Polish folkloristic themes, improvised Jazzy parts, Folky melody lines and poetic atmosphere, all combined together to create a coherent flow of musical continuity and lyrical contents. Sal’s idiosyncratic vocal approach suits the aesthetics perfectly and her vocal abilities are impeccable. She stays completely focused when using a wide vocal range, always staying perfectly in tune, both musically and emotionally. It is commonly known that I am usually not supportive of Polish vocalist singing in English, for the obvious reasons. However, this album is a rare case when the language, accent and pronunciation barriers are minimized to such degree, that they are completely acceptable and hardly noticeable at all. Having said that, I’d love to hear her singing in Polish again. Also I miss a bit of her vocalese parts. But hey, this album was not made specifically for me of course. Overall, this is a remarkable sophomore effort, full of great songs, stylistic diversity, brilliant vocals and stunning instrumental parts, all exquisitely arranged, performed, recorded and finally packaged, to create a true bomboniere of an album, which sweetens the long waiting period we had to bear. Thank you again, my Dear, for this gift of music!

Updated: 05/03/2024Posted: 05/03/2024

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ADAM BALDYCH QUINTET ~ PORTRAITS IMAGINARY MUSIC 003 (Barcode: 5905817210039) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the 2nd album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer / bandleader Adam BaldychFind albums by this artist, released on his Imaginary MusicFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded in a quintet setting with pianist Sebastian ZawadzkiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marek KonarskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Dawid FortunaFind albums by this artist. Vocalists Kari SalFind albums by this artist and Piotr OdoszewskiFind albums by this artist guest on one track, which uses the lyrics written by poet Krzysztof Kamil BaczynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents sixteen tracks, all but one composed by Baldych and one composed by Zawadzki. The album’s extended booklet features a liner note by Jacek SolkiewiczFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. MirrormanFind albums by this artist). In his liner note Baldych states his reflections about the meaning of music in human life, especially in face of brutal reality. He refers to the fate of the Polish Jewish violinist / composer / author Szymon LaksFind albums by this artist, who is known for his role as the head of the inmate’s orchestra in the Auschwitz concentration camp, which Laks described in his memoirs. The absurdity and inhuman cruelty of the orchestra performing twice a day in the midst of the Auschwitz inferno is definitely something to ponder about, especially as the Holocaust Remembrance Day is just four days away. The music is full of deep melancholy and reflection, gently intertwining Jazz and Classical (mostly Medieval) as well as World Music influences, with profoundly lyrical and even at times gloomy themes. Baldych’s renaissance violin fits perfectly to the tonal structures and his virtuosity of expression is able to project the entire aesthetic atmosphere clearly and vividly. I have followed the work of Baldych since his early steps on the music scene and I am happy so he that he matured extremely well, as his recent work, and this album in particular, takes him to the pedestal of exemplary musical personalities, well beyond just the Jazz scene. All the music on this album sounds like one coherent continuity, and the division into tracks is simply a technical matter, as I can’t imagine listening to any part of this music separately. Baldych’s team comprises of some of the best Polish Jazz musicians, so the ensemble performances are, not surprisingly, sublime. There is limited soloing herein, not because of lack of ability, but obviously since this music is an ensemble effort, not a showcase of individual abilities, other than those by the leader of course. But when solos do appear, they are truly brilliant, albeit being relatively short. Overall, this is a true Masterpiece of an album in every possible sense: the compositions, the performances, the team effort of the ensemble, the interplay, the dynamics, in short everything just fits perfectly in place. It is Baldych’s most mature work so far, which will be extremely hard to follow, but he has proven time and again that he can be full of surprises. Congratulations are in order!

Updated: 23/01/2025Posted: 23/01/2025

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