Record Reviews

STANKO – MAKOWICZ UNIT ~ STANKO – MAKOWICZ UNIT FEATURING CZESLAW BARTKOWSKI B.FREE 6097 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1975 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of the little known album by the Polish Jazz ensemble Stanko – Makowicz UnitFind albums by this artist, released originally by a small independent German label JGFind albums on this label Records. It is one of the two albums this ensemble recorded, the other one being the eponymous album released by the legendary Polish label PoljazzFind albums on this label, which to this day was not reissued on CD. On this album the ensemble is a trio with Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Adam MakowiczFind albums by this artist on electric piano and Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist on drums, whereas the Poljazz album was recorded by a quartet with Pawel JarzebskiFind albums by this artist on bass. Both albums have a completely different set of tunes on them. On this album the ensemble performs seven tunes, two each by Stanko and Makowicz, one credited to all three members of the ensemble and the remaining two being standards one each by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. The album´s artwork does not specify the date or place of the recording, except for stating that it was recorded in 1975, same as the Poljazz album. Since there is no applause one can assume it is a studio recording. Chronologically this album was recorded shortly before Stanko recorded his first album for ECMFind albums on this label ("BalladynaFind albums with this title" recorded December 1975), which was the jumpstart of his international career. The music is typical of Stanko´s mid 1970s period, which marked his beautiful amalgamation of melody and Free Jazz excursions, dominated by his "dirty" hoarse sound, which was his trademark for many years. Makowicz, who was one of the leading pianists on the Polish scene at the time, before he left for the US, was an ideal partner for Stanko in this particular setup, using the electric piano he embraced while being a member of the Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist´s Fusion groups. Bartkowski, also a leading figure on the Polish scene, was a Master drummer and felt perfectly comfortable in any stylistic setting, supports the duo amicably. Although the recording quality and the overall sound of this album is not as good as one might have hoped for, it is definitely perfectly acceptable, in contrast to what some "critics" wrote about this album over time. The same, or even more strongly, is valid as far as the musical contents and the playing are concerned, which are absolutely superb. This is one of the most intimate Stanko recordings ever, and his trumpet playing is leading the music boldly and authoritatively. In retrospect this is a tremendous piece of history of the Polish / European Jazz and of course of Stanko´s contribution to the genre, as the leading Free Jazz trumpeter of the period. For Polish Jazz connoisseurs and Stanko followers this album is an absolute must have of course.

Updated: 28/04/2018Posted: 28/04/2018

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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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