Stol Panski – Gadajace Drzewo (1997)

Stół Pański

Zbigniew Kunkowski - guitar
Andrzej Przybielski - trumpet
Sławomir Kulpowicz - keyboards
Janusz Smyk - flute & Saxophone
Krzysztof Ścierański - bass
Michał Zduniak - drums
and others

Gadające Drzewo

ZBIG 001

By Adam Baruch

This is the only album by Polish Jazz ensemble Stół Pański, led by guitarist/composer Zbigniew Kunkowski, which also featured trumpeter Andrzej Przybielski, flautist/saxophonist Janusz Smyk, keyboardist Sławomir Kulpowicz, bassist Krzysztof Ścierański, drummer Michał Zduniak, vocalist Joachim Janko, violinist Henryk Gembalski, saxophonist Aleksander Korecki and several other players. Some of these players used to be a decade earlier members of the legendary ensemble Free Cooperation. The album presents seven original compositions, all composed by Kunkowski and arranged by Kulpowicz. There is also a hidden/undocumented track, which follows the seven tracks, which is a free improvised piece.

Musically the album presents a fascinating amalgam of Jazz with Groove, Funk and World Music. Most of the music consists of a simple melody line played over a repetitive groove and serving as a background for extensive improvisations by the soloists. The main and most impressive soloist is of course the legendary trumpeter Andrzej Przybielski. Who plays on this album some of the most coherent and beautiful solos in his entire career, which bridge between his free improvising tendencies and the melodic approach he uses here. Especially impressive are his muted trumpet parts, which easily compare to those played by Miles Davis. Since every note of the Przybielski legacy is utterly sacred, this album is an absolutely must to every follower of the Polish Jazz trumpet heritage.

Overall this album is one of the hidden gems in the Polish Jazz discography, which disappeared from the shelves shortly after being released almost two decades ago and never reissued. True Polish Jazz fans should make every effort to get hold of a copy, at all costs.

Zbigniew Namyslowski – Dances (1997)

Zbigniew Namyslowski - saxophone, flute, trombone
Krzysztof Herdzin - piano
Olgierd Walicki - bass
Grzegorz Grzyb - drums
Cezary Paciorek - accordion
Maciej Strzelczyk - violin
Jose Torres - percussion

POLONIA 133



By Adam Baruch

This album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Zbigniew Namyslowski summarizes many years of his career by concentrating on one of the most important characteristics of his music: the symbiosis of Jazz and World Music, or more precisely Jazz and folklore, as represented by dances from different regions. The album comprises of fourteen original compositions by Namyslowski, all of which are based on specific dance rhythms, like tango, waltz and samba or Polish folk dances like mazurka, kujawiak and oberek. Several of the compositions included on this album are new arrangements of compositions recorded and released previously over time.

The music is performed by a quartet, which besides Namyslowski, who plays saxophone, flute and trombone (his original instrument) includes also pianist Krzysztof Herdzin, bassists Olgierd Walicki and drummer Grzegorz Grzyb. Three additional players expand the lineup to a septet: accordionist Cezary Paciorek, violinist Maciej Strzelczyk and percussionist Jose Torres. A Cuban percussion group guests on one tune (obviously the samba).

Namyslowski's ability to compose melodies, which fit the various rhythms and meters, including some very odd meters indeed, is absolutely phenomenal. This album is full of such clever tunes, which happen also to be delightful and sound completely "easy" in spite of their complex and capricious nature. The actual performance is of course first-rate, as always with ensembles led by Namyslowski, who is very strict and meticulous as far as playing is concerned.

In many respects this is the most unconventional album ever recorded by Namyslowski in which Jazz plays still a central role, but is intertwined with the folkloristic elements so tightly, that is sounds often like a soundtrack to a documentary produced by National Geographic. Jazz connoisseurs will find this album absolutely charming in every respect, even though it covers musical ground not habitually associated with Jazz.

It might be very difficult to find, but I urge every Polish Jazz enthusiast to lay their hand on a copy of this gem. Listening to this music is such a great fun!

Mazzoll, Knuth & Artythmic Memory - Cynober Manifest (1997)

Mazzoll (Jerzy Mazolewski) - Cl, Bcl, Voc, conducting

Maciej Cieslak - Guit, Voc
Adam Kaminski - Synth, G, Sampl
Piotr Pawlak - Pedal Guit
Wojciech II Mazzoll - 6str Bass
Jacek Puchalski - Live Electronics, Joy Od Sound
+
Robert Knuth - Voice,rainchord
Alfred Harth - Voice, Whistle, Reeds
Elbieta Maciarewicz - Vocal
Anna Siwiec - Vocal
D.J. PBM - Train Dat & Cd
Mikolaj Szajna - Keyboard
Iliao O' Tuoala - Voice
Weanij O' Tuoala - Voice

Cynober Manifest (1997)

Person you may like or not but his work one can only admire. Mazzoll as really very few other musicians in Poland consistently has been looking for what is new and surprising in jazz. Or better say contemporary music since in his case it is better not to impose any superfcial limits for music genres. Everything here is incredibly mixed up and yet perfectly coherent. Free improvisation, ambient, jazz, electronic music all coexist together with recitation, singing and (presumably) dancing, theatre, picture and other art activities. Encompassing listener totally this music however does not put stress upon novelty solely, its main reason is not to shock, but rather it focuses on authencity, straighforwardness and spontaineity of relationship with recipient. My soul do resonate to such a message. You should definitely check this out to discover what shall be your reaction?...

Tracklisting:

1 C. M. (Wietrzni Kochankowie)
2 ....A Wieczorem Po Cichu Nowy Taniec....
3 Moment LOM
4 Arhytmic Memory
5 Diffusion Ambient Pictures Fatamorgana
6 Woda Źródłem Życia
7 Przeciw Przemocy Cz. I
8 Gegen Gewalt Vol. II
9 Against Violence Part III
10 Endless Love
11 Midnight Shakespeare
12 Aminio O'Tuoala

By Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl

Bronislaw Duzy & Jorgos Skolias - Do It (1997)

Bronislaw Duży -trombone

Jorgos Skolias -vocals, percussion

Do It (1997)

One can pretty easily imagine an album made solely by a singer and a trombone player being nothing but an hour of goose farts. These two Polish jazz heroes perfectly avoided that trap and made just one goddamn groovey and enjoyable piece of record. Shame it didn't make it to vinyl...

Track listing: 01. Afryka [06:00]; 02. Piec napiec [05:07]; 03. Kolo [06:08]; 04. Bluesdla [07:06]; 05. Imena [04:55]; 06. Zolo [03:34]; 07. Foxy Lady [03:43]; 08. Zeimbekiko [06:19]; 09. Pentagon [05:52] 

By Pan Mietek
http://panmietek.blogspot.com

Antoni Gralak - Graal (Polonia Records, 1996); Graal 2 (Polonia Records, 1997)

Antoni Gralak - trumpet, trombone

Włodzimierz Kiniorski - tenor sax

Locko Richter - bass guitar, organ
Arkadiusz Skolik - drums
Stanisław Sojka - violin

Graal (Polonia Records, 1996)

Tracklisting: 1. Karuzela; 2. Chromatyczna; 3. Gruba Berta; 4. Wszyscy tańczą; 5. Pe pe sha; 6. Bajka; 7. Chudy patrzy; 8. Larwatus proteo 

Antoni Gralak - trumpet, trombone

Włodzimierz Kiniorski - tenor sax

Locko Richter - bass guitar, organ
Arkadiusz Skolik - drums
Stanisław Sojka - violin

Graal 2 (Polonia Records, 1997)

Tracklisting: 1. Miasto tańczy; 2. Marsz a masz; 3. Sarterras Ubi Bangoia; 4. Ornetto; 5. Korridor; 6. Mute Fanki; 7. Jak Kopciuszek; 8. Więc Dixi 

Small community of musicians centered around city of Częstochowa (located in the south of Poland close to bigger Upper Silesia region) produced fair amount of interesting if somewhat little known (even in Poland) music. Along with Janusz Yanina Iwański whose newest record 'Free Wave' (2011) was recently described on this blog, trumpeter Antoni Ziut Gralak (Ziut and Yanina cooperated in highly successful rock Tie Break band) shall be mentioned with this two albums being good example of what kind of music he likes the most. And this music is rooted in Polish yass movement. That means that though clearly inspired by free jazz it is also relying heavily on Polish folk, punk rock and drum'n'bass aesthetics. It sounds open, spontaneous and much more accessible than typical Ornettian free. Melody is strong here and improvisation is not that much in structure as in ludic character of this music which may change entirely its style from one song to another. Apart from this interesting idiom in which this music is placed one must be under great impression how well played it is. Apart from the leader on trumpet it features first rate musicians that is Włodek Kiniorski on tenor sax, charismatic German bassist Loco Richter, excellent drummer Arek Stolik and Stanisław Sojka on violin. Even more important then their skills however is the spirit of teamwork and obvious great joy coming from working together that pervades both these albums. This leaves me with no other options than to recommend these albums to any listener whose ears and heart are open to good music. 

Autor: Maciej Nowotny
http://kochamjazz.blox.pl

Andrzej Jagodziński - Deep Cut (1997)

Andrzej Jagodziński - piano, accordion

Adam Cegielski - bass
Czesław Bartkowski - drums

Deep Cut (1997)

(Editor) Andrzej Jagodziński impersonates what was best in Polish mainstream jazz in 80ties and 90ties last century: a perfect mixture of jazz rooted in Blue Note tradition with this specifically Polish blend of folk music and strong influence of classical (often Chopin) music. Skills of musicians in this trio are so high that make rehearsal of this music sound fresh and satisfactory even after many years since its recording...

"Welcome to the world of our music. Our world. Different to that of the end of 20th century. Without a violence, without clamour, here you are not exposed to the smell of a traffic jam. DEEP CUT. We cut ourselves off. Moving to a woodland clearing. As dusk falls the last rays of the sunshine at sunset. Smell of wet grass. Night. The descent is begining. GOING DOWN. It is becoming unquiet. Everybody fears the night. In its quiet nostalgia awakenes. Longing for something, for somebody... As for DJANGO. Only loneliness remains. LONESOME DANCER. And dawn breaks, and space opens up again. Bird song. WALK IN SPACE. Maybe even a dance. PETITE VALSE BRILLANTE. It's a pity to leave a pensive Mr B." (source:  http://www.jagodzinski.art.pl)

Tracklist: 1.Deep Cut (A. Jagodzinski); 2.Going Down (A. Jagodzinski); 3.Django (J. Lewis); 4.Lonesome Dancer (B. Suchanek); 5.Walk in Space (A. Jagodzinski); 6. Petite Valse Brillante (A. Jagodzinski); 7.Beethoven - 7th Symphony (2nd theme from II movement)

Krzysztof Fetras - Caravan (Polonia Records, 1997)

Krzysztof Fetraś - guitar

Polonia Records, 1997

Krzysztof Fetraś has already recorded three albums: "Night In Praha - Live", "Impresje" and "Caravan" but is relatively unknown on Polish scene. He somewhat vanished from it few years ago although he from time to time appears in Tygmont Club in Warsaw or recently in Harris Bar in Cracow where he played with excellent rhythm section of Paweł Kaczmarczyk in persons of bassist Maciej Adamczak and drummer Dawid Fortuna (more about it here). He also took part in few jazz festivals like Jazz Jamboree or Letni Festiwal at Piwinica Pod Baranami but it was long ago. I also never was able to listen to any of his record so he was kind of tabula rasa for me. But, as I mentioned above, he recently has become active again and I deciced to learn more about his music which revelead to be original and more than satisfactory.

After listening to this record I do not wonder that it passed reletively unnoticed. It's not that it's bad - on contrary - it is interesing but for two reasons it is not easy to apreciate it. First, it starts with version of famous jazz standard "Caravan" that do not fit at all with rest of music on the album. From second tune  one track after another we go deeper and deeper in a world of very delicate and sesitive solo guitar playing by Krzysztof Fetraś. His voice is inspired by classical guitar which is however treated in typical spontaneuos and indiviual jazz way bringing music always melodic and very, very lirical. This poetic moments are by far the best on this album and I must say that starting from 5th track titled "Time for Children" and up to the end of this album (11 tracks altoghether), this music becomes so involving, misterious, dreamlike that I can only described it as brilliant. It's a pity that whole album is not kept in the same mood as it would gain on artistic unity. All the same I find this recording as rewarding one, keep on returning to it and I am happy that its author has plans for future as he is definitely one the most talented guitarist in Polish jazz...

Check 7th tune on this album titled "Czy pamiętasz 29 czerwca" (Do You Remember 28th June). Intriguing indeed...

Author of text: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html  

Fazi Quintet Moon Ship - Stawka Wieksza Niż Życie (1997)

A trifle, nothing more, but I somehow like it. It contains set of standards, great tunes indeed, all coming from legendary Polish movies. Mariusz Mielczarek, playing on sax and leader of the band, his style rubato, very much like Coleman Hawkins, brings life to music that is so well known and never stray too far away from what listeners remember. Skip it if such film titles like "Stawka większa niż życie", "O7 - zgłoś się" or "Noce i Dnie" tell you nothing. But if they do you will love this music.

Please listen to sample of music from "07 - zgłoś się" which was local version of Bond movies taking place in communist Poland. Hardcore!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xccr-RmRjqU&feature=related

Bogdan Hołownia Trio - On The Sunny Side (1997)

It is a debut recording of jazz pianist Bogdan Hołownia, made on 1995 and published 2 years later. Since then he recorded more than 10 CDs proving to be permanent and valuable part of mainstream jazz in Poland. Born in 1957 he turned to playing piano professionally in 1990 when he decided to go to the US to study at famous Berklee College Of Music. This disc contains rehearsals of jazz standards and may be seen as a program prepared by a student to pass high school exams. And this student was very good indeed! His arrangements are usually faithful to originals but always very melodic, delicate and soulful. They go well with winter evening, fireplace, good book and a glass of old wine from your cellar. It may certainly appeal to all those for whom jazz is syncopated music that swings and is played on blue note. On the recording with Hołownia play following musicians: David Clark on double bass and Skip Hadden on drums, both professors at the Berklee.

Small sample of music of Bogdan Hołownia, from different album and accompanied by a vocal, yet representative for his style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tQqF3BBwA8

Tomasz Stańko Septet - Litania (1997)

This disc is probably the best Polish jazz recording of 90ties. But it would be impossible without the stellar support of Scandinavian musicians in persons of Bernt Rosengren (tenor saxophone), Joakim Milder (tenor and soprano saxophones), Bobo Stenson (piano), Palle Danielsson (double-bass), Jon Christensen (drums) and Terje Rypdal (guitar). Further it was great German producer and owner of ECM recording company Manfred Eicher who instigate Stańko to go back to Komeda's music.The effect of this project probably surpassed all expectations of poeple involved in its creation because after many years we may see this record as undisputed turn point in international recognition of Krzysztof Komeda music.

Inspired by Stańko and his marvelous companions many Polish and foreign artists since then delve deeper into Komeda's music finding inspiration in his highly original and charismatic ouvre. This year also brought many recordings dedicated to Komeda of which I personally choose these two as most appealing:

http://kochamjazz.blogspot.com/2010/07/kattorna-straying-to-moon-2010.html

http://kochamjazz.blogspot.com/2010/07/nbs-trio-komeda-2010_07.html

Without Komeda's music and Polański's film Knife In Water I would never become so enamored in jazz music. Every year I go to Mazury Lake District, I take a boat with CD recording and while sailing past locations where so many scenes from this film were shot, I either listen to this music or imagine that I listen to  it. Among tunes that I know by heart is this one, Ballada, astounding beauty of so Polish style:    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEVkoxd71fI&feature=player_embedded