Record Reviews

MICHAL URBANIAK ~ JAZZ LEGENDS 1 UBX 1013 (Barcode: 5905912551907) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rap Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the album by Polish Jazz violin virtuoso / composer / bandleader Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, originally released in the US in 1981 as "Music For Violin & Jazz QuartetFind albums with this title" and credited to the one time ensemble called NY5Find albums by this artist, which included Urbaniak and four distinguished American Jazz musicians: guitarist Ted DunbarFind albums by this artist, pianist Kenny BarronFind albums by this artist, bassist Buster WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist. The album was released on the short-lived JAMFind albums on this label (Jazz America Marketing) label, founded by Richard SpringFind albums by this artist, and was the label´s first release with catalogue number 001. The album was produced by the legendary Jazz producer Michael CuscunaFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded on December 17 & 18, 1980 following a week´s residency by the quintet at the renowned NY Village Vanguard club, where the music was polished live and readied to be recoded. The album presents eight tracks, three of which are original compositions by Urbaniak and five are standards For Urbaniak, who arrived in NY from Poland in 1973, this album was an important milestone in his life-long quest to be recognized as a bona fide Jazz musician by his American idols and playing and recording with such luminaries was definitely a seal of approval. Although he recorded a stream of revolutionary albums earlier on, both in Poland and in the US, he was playing a unique Jazz-World Fusion / Funk, which was brilliant but not exactly recognized as "pure" American mainstream Jazz as such. Therefore this album was practically his first mainstream Jazz recording, symbolizing Urbaniak becoming a part of the "pack", or at least his hope to achieve that status, which in retrospect proved to be an impossible dream. Listening to this album from a forty years perspective proves a few interesting aspects. Urbaniak was at his peak an absolutely amazing violin player, way better that any other violinist on the US scene at the time. His technique, impeccable aesthetics, superb groove and Swiss clock precision timing, combined with a natural feel for Jazz, improvisation and harmony set him apart from other Jazz musicians on the NY scene. He was also an absolutely brilliant composer, which is why his original compositions on this album are way more interesting than the rest of the material. As for the contributions by the quartet; well they are exactly what one would expect from highly experienced and professional players – they do their job. They keep time, they solo adequately and they play the same way they have been playing always, regardless what gig was on, in short they play American Jazz. Despite the effort, Urbaniak, even on this album, stays faithful to his basic instincts. The Polish melancholy, the childhood melodies and the European aesthetics are all still there for all see (and hear). Thank God for that! Not surprisingly the original album sold poorly and was ignored by American media, soon to be deleted from the market. It is great to see it reissued by Urbaniak on his own UBXFind albums on this label label, as it surely deserves to be remembered and enjoyed!

Updated: 14/06/2020Posted: 14/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend