Jozef Skrzek, Tomasz Szukalski - Ambitus Extended (1983)

Józef Skrzek - bass guitar, electric piano, synthesizer

Tomasz Szukalski - saxophone, bass clarinet

Ambitus Extended (1983)

Mind-blowing release!!! True hidden, very deeply hidden, gem of Polish jazz. Although this is duo with Józef Skrzek whole shows belongs here to legendary saxophonist Tomasz Szukalski. Best word to describe him is "genius". Like very few musicians in Polish jazz he got everything needed to become world class figure: talent, skill, individuality. He could play at the highest level in pop, mainstream or free. His musical ideas regardless of style he played in were always fresh and his creativity unbounded. This recording is excellent proof of such assumption. Although backed only by Skrzek who never was part of Polish jazz scene but was key player on our rock scene, he nonetheless transcends this meeting into something metaphisical. His saxophone yearns, wails and seduces like Salome in her famous dance in front of king Solomon. One song after another all our objections fall down like veils down from her sumptuous body. In the end naked truth remains: an awe in face of talent so grand and so... wasted... 

1. Ambitus extended (J.Skrzek, T.Szukalski) 6:10; 2. Sweet Pultyna (J.Skrzek) 3:31; 3. Crazy at times (J.Skrzek, T.Szukalski) 4:14; 4. For my Tina (T.Szukalski) 3:45; 5. Walk before a break (J.Skrzek, T.Szukalski) 1:20; 6. Trumpet and dwarfs in Kaeper's shack (J.Skrzek, T.Szukalski) 4:38; 7. Happy people from X (J.Skrzek) 3:50; 8. Out of the ordinary (J.Skrzek) 5:45; 9. Doublueben (J.Skrzek, T.Szukalski) 4:55 

By Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html

Tomasz Stanko – C.O.C.X. (1983)

Tomasz Stańko - trumpet

Antymos Apostolis - guitar, guitars drums, bass and percussion
Vitold Rek - bass, gong
Jose Antonio Torres - conga, percussion

This great album by Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz Stanko marks his entry into the second period of his career, which is an almost complete about face in comparison to his earlier work, which was mostly associated with Free Jazz. During the next decade (1980s) Stanko will record primarily with young musicians, often associated with Rock rather than with Jazz, creating a unique (as always) brand of Jazz-Rock Fusion. This album, recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Apostolis Anthimos (of SBB fame), bassist Witold Szczurek and percussionist Jose Torres, presents a series of beautiful melodies, which are performed in a pretty straight-forward manner, with Stanko and Anthimos exchanging licks and improvising on top of a steady rhythm section work. Hardcore Free Jazz / avant-garde enthusiasts might find this music "strange" and simplistic, but honestly it is far from being trivial at any point. It is simply different, and Stanko, as an artist, should be without doubt allowed some slack to move forward and change direction, same as Miles Davis and others did. His trumpet playing is a s virtuosic as always, and nothing beats Stanko playing a ballad – absolutely nothing! At the time of its release the album was received coldly and reluctantly by most of the local critics, who used the weathered "going commercial" arguments, without truly understanding the nature of the change. In retrospect this album is a valuable addition to Stanko's musical heritage, which has very few competitors. Brilliant stuff!

Author: Adam Baruch

http://www.adambaruch.com/

check also his music boutique: https://www.jazzis.com/shop/

Krzysztof Scieranski – Bass Line (Anex, 1983)

Bass Guitar - Krzysztof Ścierański
Drums, Percussion - Jerzy Piotrowski
Guitar, Percussion - Paweł Ścierański
Percussion - Marek Wilczyński

Bass Line (Anex, 1983)

This is the 1st album by Polish bass virtuoso Krzysztof Scieranski, who was a member of such notable Polish groups as Laboratorium and String Connection, before starting his solo career. He is accompanied on this album by his brother Pawel Scieranski on guitar, Jerzy Piotrowski (of SBB fame) on drums and Marek Wilczynski on percussion. Scieranski composed all eight compositions on this album, which are quite excellent examples of intelligent Jazz-Rock Fusion and of course his incredible abilities as an electric bass player. Wholeheartedly recommended!

(Editor) The tune comes from album"Krzysztof Ścierański" issued in 1984 and very similar style:

Author: Adam Baruch

http://www.adambaruch.com/

check also his music boutique: https://www.jazzis.com/shop/