Record Reviews

PETER LIPA ~ NEUPROSNE RANO / PETER LIPA T&R BAND OPUS 91 0116 (Barcode: 8584019011629) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 - 1989 Released: 2010 This wonderful reissue brings back to life two albums by the excellent Slovak vocalist / composer / bandleader / Jazz activist Peter LipaFind albums by this artist. Lipa was active on the Czechoslovak scene since the 1970s and recorded his debut album with top Czech players at the time: keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and many others, including a large brass section. The album, which contains a mixture of original songs (two written by Viklicky) and standards is beautifully arranged and performed and is a masterpiece full of Blues influenced Jazz-Rock / modern Jazz vocal extravaganzas. The second album, recorded six years later, presents quite a different stylistic approach, combining vocals with traditional Jazz (Dixieland, etc.). On that album Lipa sings mostly standards, which were arranged and "transposed" into traditional Jazz. His vocal virtuosity and highly original approach are clearly evident on these recordings. Together this set contains some truly excellent vocal Jazz with exceptional instrumental support, which should delight Jazz connoisseurs all over the world.

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GABRIEL JONAS ~ IMPRESIE / GENTLE RAIN OPUS 91 0125 (Barcode: 8584019012527) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1990 Released: 2010 This wonderful reissue brings back to life two albums by the excellent Slovak pianist / composer Gabriel JonasFind albums by this artist. Jonas was active on the Czechoslovak scene and recorded his debut album with top Czech players at the time: saxophonist Petr KralFind albums by this artist, bassist Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist, drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jiri TomekFind albums by this artist. The album, which contains all (but one, which is by the bass player) original compositions is most impressive and truly beautiful and ranks among the best Jazz albums recorded in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. The second album, recorded twelve years later, is a solo piano recording, but uses also two overdubbed pianos, creating a piano duet effect. On that album Jonas plays mostly standards, except for two original compositions. His virtuosity and highly melodic approach are also clearly evident on this recordings. Together this set contains truly wonderful piano playing, which should delight Jazz connoisseurs all over the world.

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MATEUSZ STRZELECKI / ANDRZEJ PAWEL SLAZAK ~ DEDYKACJA REQUIEM / OPUS 2018/30 ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 As the title of this album suggests and the liner notes describe, it is "…a tribute to the outstanding Polish (Classical Music) composers of the first half of the 20th Century, whose lives were marked by the war and oppression..." It includes compositions by Karol RathausFind albums by this artist, Aleksander TansmanFind albums by this artist, Wladyslaw SzpilmanFind albums by this artist, Jozef KofflerFind albums by this artist and Roman PadlewskiFind albums by this artist performed by violinist Mateusz StrzeleckiFind albums by this artist and pianist Andrzej Pawel SlazakFind albums by this artist. The music includes six relatively short pieces composed between 1925 and 1949, five of which are violin / piano duets and one is a solo piano suite, some of them multi-part, altogether fifteen tracks. The recording quality is excellent. To set the record straight Rathaus was not Polish; although born in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which has obvious Polish roots, at the time of his birth it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Rathaus was educated in Vienna and Berlin and is considered of Austrian-German heritage. Of course he was also, or perhaps primarily Jewish, as were Tansman, Szpilman and Koffler, a fact not mentioned in the album´s otherwise erudite booklet. Since the album also celebrates Poland´s hundredth Independence Anniversary, perhaps it also symbolizes the depth of the Jewish contribution to Polish Culture. The music is marvelous from start to finish, offering a kaleidoscopic display of modern Classical Music as diverse as one may wish for, moving between Neo-Romanticism, Impressionism, Dodecaphony and even Folkloristic influences. Seemingly limited by the scope of the duet (or solo piano) it offers a rich and elegant fabric, harmonic sophistication and above all ingenuity. Listeners, who would usually avoid Classical Music, could be easily enthralled by what this album has to offer. Both instrumentalists heard on this album are sophisticated performers and Masters of their instruments, which becomes immediately apparent from the opening notes. Their superb teamwork makes even the most complex parts of the compositions present on this album to sound coherent and effortless to absorb by the listener, which of course is admirable. Kudos are due to the classy RequiemFind albums on this label Records label for releasing highly prestigious, well researched and artistically significant projects like this one. Their collected catalogue includes some of the most interesting and challenging music made in Poland, always beautifully packaged and excellently produced. Hats off!

Updated: 17/06/2019Posted: 17/06/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MILOSZ WOSKO ~ URBAN RESIDENTS` BELIEFS REQUIEM / OPUS 2019/35 ~ POLAND ~ Classical Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish pianist / composer Milosz WoskoFind albums by this artist, one of the upcoming Polish contemporary Classical Music activists. The album presents three instrumental works: "Dawn" for strings and accordion, played by the excellent AUKSO Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist and accordionist Maciej FrackiewiczFind albums by this artist, "Urban Dances" a five part suite for string quartet, piano and percussion played by the Kwartet PolonikaFind albums by this artist, pianist Emilia SitarzFind albums by this artist and percussionist Hubert ZemlerFind albums by this artist and finally "Five Discussions On Difficult Topics" for brass quintet played by the Polish Brass QuintetFind albums by this artist. Although quite diverse stylistically and tonally the music of Wosko seems to have a close association to cinematic themes, which is hardly surprising considering his work as composer of film soundtracks and other audiovisual concept works. As he writes in the album´s liner notes, his music is about our day-to-day 21st Century hectic life under constant pressure of time and routine, and the possibility to find the emotions that the human race seems to be losing on its path. The music, although modern, is not Avant-Garde per se, maintaining a strong melody contents and using familiar Classical Music vocabulary. It also offers much of the typical Polish melancholy, that characterizes the works of Polish modernist Masters, and which is probably unavoidable, almost genetically implanted within all Polish music across the genres and generations. The diversity of the compositions makes this album a superb listening experience, never allowing the listener to get too comfortable within the framework of one piece and moving into another one, which requires a swift intellectual reboot. And yet all three compositions have common characteristics, even when performed by different instrumental settings, which again is hardly surprising and indicates that Wosko has already managed to achieve a voice of his own. Overall this is a splendid piece of music, highly interesting and aesthetically pleasing as well as excellently executed and recorded. This music should by highly appealing to a wide range of music connoisseurs, not necessarily only Classical Music buffs, but all quality music lovers. Congratulations are in order and wishes of good luck in the future!

Updated: 11/01/2023Posted: 26/11/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ENSEMBLE TUNING XIII ~ MUZYKA NA TRZY INSTRUMENTY REQUIEM / OPUS 2021/55 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 - 2020 Released: 2021 This is the third album by Polish Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Rafal GorzyckiFind albums by this artist, recorded under the Ensemble TuningFind albums by this artist moniker, now with a new variant of the moniker, i.e. Ensemble Tuning XIIIFind albums by this artist. The new lineup is extended into a quartet, which now includes alongside the leader clarinetists Piotr MelechFind albums by this artist and Michal GorczynskiFind albums by this artist and pianist Jakub KrolikowskiFind albums by this artist, which explains the album title, which in English means “Music For Three Instruments” (i.e. clarinet, piano and drums). Guitarist Jakub ZiolekFind albums by this artist guests on the final track. The album presents six original compositions / improvisations, credited to various combinations of the quartet members. The album is a continuation of the two previous recordings by Gorzycki: “PlayingFind albums with this title” (2016) and “Ensemble TuningFind albums with this title” (2018). I have been following Gorzycki and his work for the last two decades since he first arrived on the Polish Jazz scene as the leader of the Ecstasy ProjectFind albums by this artist (debuted in 2000) and Sing Sing PenelopeFind albums by this artist (debuted in 2004). He is certainly one of the constantly searching and horizon expanding Polish Jazz musicians / composers, with a strong tendency to amalgamate Jazz and contemporary Chamber music. This album is somewhat surprising as it presents almost entirely Improvised Music elements, which are not necessarily the usual modus operandi as far as Gorzycki is concerned. But the two clarinets, played by my favorite Polish Jazz clarinetists, add some thrilling moments and by the fifth and longest track the ensemble finally finds the nirvana spot and the music becomes magical. Personally the labeling of the music is somewhat misleading, as this certainly is not contemporary Chamber Classical music, so why try and use that particular label? But besides labeling, this music offers a lot of unexpected vistas, demanding dot-connecting and other cerebral exercises, which are always welcome. Overall, this is a very unique, unusual and highly demanding listening adventure, but at the same time a highly rewarding experience for open-minded music lovers, who are prepared to take risks in order to expand their horizons. Hats off to Gorzycki for his consistency and tireless searching!

Updated: 02/10/2021Posted: 27/09/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

GAWLAS / WISNIOWSKI / HERZYK ~ ABSTRACT TRIO REQUIEM / OPUS 2021/68 ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish trio comprising of synthesizer / electronic music sound creator / composer Krzysztof GawlasFind albums by this artist, Jazz flautist / saxophonist / composer Leszek HeFi WisniowskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Wojciech HerzykFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all being improvisations by the trio members and therefore uncredited as far as composing credits are concerned. The music is all about searching and experimentation, which of course means that it has much in common with Avant-Garde Rock and Jazz Improvised Music, being perhaps a tad more restrained and “cultural”, but in general displaying the characteristics of Freedom and spur of the moment music making, common to all such genres. The presence of Wisniowski naturally takes the music closer to the Jazz spectrum, whenever he becomes the focus of the music, whereas during his absence the music drifts more towards outer space, but the entire affair stays well within well-behaved so called “New Music”, which the Classical Academics like to call such experiments for the lack of a better term. The same question as to the validity of such music in a recorded form applies here as much as it does in Jazz Improvised Music – it might be quite a powerful and emotional experience when performed live in front of an audience, but the likelihood of someone listening to this music in a home environment is highly questionable. Nevertheless, artistic freedom and aesthetic expression make the recording of such music perfectly legitimate and praiseworthy. Overall, this is a very interesting and somewhat challenging aural experience, which although directed toward a narrow / limited audience, is definitely worth investigating by those fearless sound explorers, who are not avoiding challenges and exploring uncharted territories. I, for one, had a great time listening to this album!

Updated: 05/03/2022Posted: 05/03/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAWID LUBOWICZ ~ STORIES REQUIEM / OPUS 2022/75 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the 2nd solo album by Polish violinist / composer Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in an unusual setting of violin duo, with Argentinian, resident in Poland, violinist Christian DanowiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by Lubowicz. Lubowicz, primarily known as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, Poland’s Jazz-Classical Fusion ensemble, is by now well recognized first-class violinist and composer of his own right. On this album the music is primarily within the Classical vein, at least at the first encounter. But as the music develops, there is plenty of World Music influences, both Polish lyricism and melancholy and other livelier streaks, all subtly incorporated into the music. Although the music is obviously strictly written, the performances, especially the exchanges within the duo, offer some improvisation. As expected, the music is brilliantly performed and superbly recorded, which results in a most pleasurable ambience and aesthetic atmosphere, which keeps the listener enchanted for the entire duration. Lubowicz masterfully sculpts the miniature melodies, which are adorned by the duo’s virtuosic touches, as if dressed up in delicate musical satin-like fabric. The music crosses centuries between Baroque and Modernism, Tango and Polonaise but ever so smoothly and cleverly avoiding any clashes or clichés. Overall, this is a delightful, highly unusual piece of music, which manages to eschew precise classification, but delivers a solid dose of heartwarming, sophisticated and emotional experience, which should keep all connoisseurs of truly gorgeous music happy for a long time.

Updated: 02/01/2025Posted: 02/01/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

BKK ~ JAZZ FOR MR IVES, JAZZ FOR MR SEROCKI REQUIEM / OPUS 2023/87 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the BBKFind albums by this artist (Bydgoski Kolektyw KompozytorskiFind albums by this artist / Bydgoszcz Composer CollectiveFind albums by this artist) trio, which comprises of drummer Rafal GorzyckiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mikolaj SaradFind albums by this artist and electronic sound designer Bartlomiej ChmaraFind albums by this artist. Clarinetist Mateusz SzwankowskiFind albums by this artist appears as a guest. The album presents one lengthy track with a two-part composition, co-composed by the trio members and dedicated, as the title suggests, to the Classical composers: American Charles IvesFind albums by this artist and Polish Kazimierz SerockiFind albums by this artist. The music, although strictly composed, sounds often like Improvised Jazz and of course has closed links to Avant-Garde modern Classical Music, which of course means that it is not intended for an occasional listener, but rather for an advanced connoisseur of Modernism and seasoned Avant-Gardist. There is almost completely no melodic continuity as such or typical harmonic gestures, but rather a series of seemingly unrelated sonic sculptures. Having said that, the music certainly offers a coherent flow, and despite the limited instrumentation, certainly manages to present a highly interesting development, with all the participants displaying highly skilled abilities, albeit the minimalist approach. The decision to dedicate the music to two pivotal representatives of modernism, both still being only partly recognized and appreciated in their full might and glory, may perhaps allude to the career of Gorzycki, who despite the fact that he is one of the most inventive and fertile Polish Jazz (and beyond) musicians, receives relatively little recognition, which is sadly completely inexcusable. His collective discography, which includes over three dozen albums, among them some of Polish Jazz most interesting releases, is a solid body of his instrumental, compositional and leadership qualities. Overall, this is a highly unusual and uncompromising piece of music, which deserves to be heard by open-minded modern music connoisseurs, and is another step in the developing career of Gorzycki and his cohorts, which takes no shortcuts and firmly stand behind their aesthetic standpoint. Great to see the Requiem / OpusFind albums on this label label to support this kind of music!

Updated: 17/09/2023Posted: 17/09/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend