(0-58) – Do Dziesieciu (2001) ***1/2

Krystyna Stanko - vocals
Maciek Grzywacz - guitar
Olo Wolicki - bass
with
Cezary Paciorek - accordion
Cezary Konrad - drums
Grzegorz Grzyb - drums
Adam Pieronczyk - saxophone

OLO 003


By Adam Baruch

This is the second album by Polish Jazz vocalist Krystyna Stanko and her debut recording with the group (0-58), which placed her as a co-leader with guitarist / composer Maciej Grzywacz and bassist / composer Olgierd Walicki. The group also included accordionist Cezary Paciorek and alternating drummers Cezary Konrad and Grzegorz Grzyb. Saxophonist Adam Pieronczyk guests on two tracks. The album includes nine original compositions, four each by Grzywacz and Walicki and one by Stanko with lyrics all written by Stanko.

Musically the album presents a process of searching after a unique identity, which takes the musicians exploring many different avenues, such as Blues, chanson, alternative Pop and of course Jazz. The songs are very diverse in their tempi, moods and melodic ranges and the album keeps changing quite dramatically between one song and another. Listening to the album is like embarking on a journey with destination unknown. On the whole the approach is acoustic and rather intimate.

The instrumentalists perform splendidly, improvising extensively between the vocal parts. Grzywacz and Walicki both play some outstanding instrumental parts as do the guest soloists. Stanko is theatrical and somewhat reserved, perhaps still not aware or her formidable vocal ability, which will flower on her later recordings.

In retrospect this is a very interesting document of the Polish Jazz scene at the turn of the Millennium. Obviously the young generation of musicians is looking for something different than the mainstream tradition and with Yass paving the way in the previous decade, everything is open and nothing is taboo any more. The album is unfortunately out of print since many years and it took me ages to track a copy down – lucky me!