Record Reviews

ANDRZEJ JAGODZINSKI ~ REQUIEM POLSKIE RADIO KATOWICE 142 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 The great Polish Jazz pianist / composer Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist has been a pillar of the local Jazz scene since the early 1990s, with an impressive recording legacy, which includes some of Polish Jazz classic albums, both as a leader and sideman / accompanist. His musical style is firmly based in the Jazz mainstream, but he also flirts passionately with the Jazz-Classical Fusion idiom. His groundbreaking 1993 album “ChopinFind albums with this title” established the Polish Jazz tradition of interpreting the music of the Polish National composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, which is still quite popular thirty years later, sadly largely abused and misunderstood by now. The music on this album perfectly depicts the marriage between Jazz and Classical / Sacred music. It incorporates the classic Jazz piano trio, which is Jagodzinski’s modus operandi in the last three decades, with bassist Adam CegielskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist, with a mixed choir Camerata SilesiaFind albums by this artist, directed by Anna SzostakFind albums by this artist and three renowned Polish Jazz vocalists: Grazyna AuguscikFind albums by this artist, Agnieszka WilczynskaFind albums by this artist and Wojciech MyrczekFind albums by this artist. The six-part Requiem is loosely based on the traditional Requiem structure and form, but obviously includes strong Jazz elements, as expressed by the trio improvisations and the vocalese parts by the three vocalists, with the choir providing the traditional sacred oriented parts. It is extremely difficult to balance the Classical and Jazz elements within one musical piece, which often leads straight into the kitsch pit. But in this case Jagodzinski and the wonderful performers manage to create a coherent, elegant and harmonious unification, which makes perfect sense musically and aesthetically, with a truly moving effect. As a result, the music is universally appealing to a wide range of music lovers, from both idioms. Overall, this is a beautiful example of cross-genre exploration, which as a result of the talent and experience of its creator and his team emerges as a sublime piece of music, which preserves both traditions and finds a peaceful coexistence, where the result is bigger than just the sum of its parts. Jagodzinski does not disappoint, and his “magic touch” is felt in every note, every nuance and every melodic theme on this album. As usual, I simply raise my hat to you Maestro, and wait for the next time I can hear you performing live, which is always a transcending experience.

Updated: 02/12/2022Posted: 02/12/2022

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JOHN TAYLOR ~ REQUIEM FOR A DREAMER CAM JAZZ 7834 (Barcode: 8052405140111) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2011 This is an album by British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist recorded with his last trio with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and British drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist, on this album expanded to a quartet with the addition of the British saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the legendary Bauer Studios in Ludwigsburg and although recorded in 2008 was only released in 2011. The album presents a seven-part suite composed by Taylor. The music, commissioned in 2007, was debuted and then recorded a year later. It is based on Taylor´s admiration of the works by American Science-Fiction author Kurt VonnegutFind albums by this artist, with the titles of the suite´s parts referencing to various works by Vonnegut, as described by Taylor in the album´s liner notes. The music, as expected, is a marvelous showcase of Taylor´s idiosyncratic compositional abilities, which have been his trademark for the duration of his entire career. A superb symbiosis of Romanticism, unique approach to Jazz and marvelous sense of harmony were always present within his music, which he, luckily for his followers, created prolifically over the years for his own recordings but also for many other Jazz musicians, British and others. Taylor´s death in 2015 was a devastating blow not only to the British Jazz community, but to the worldwide circle of Jazz lovers, as his presence on any recording was always a seal of the highest quality achievable. The Taylor / Danielsson / France trio recorded three additional albums between 2004 and 2006: "Angel Of The PresenceFind albums with this title", "WhirlpoolFind albums with this title" and "Giulia`s ThursdaysFind albums with this title", all of which are also absolutely marvelous and worth having. Overall this is an absolute must in any serious music collection and a most enjoyable listening experience, which can be repeated time after time with no fear of disappointment. It is unbelievable that it´s been five years since John left us in the void…

Updated: 03/07/2020Posted: 03/07/2020

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