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Pokazywanie postów oznaczonych etykietą 2014. Pokaż wszystkie posty
Pokazywanie postów oznaczonych etykietą 2014. Pokaż wszystkie posty

wtorek, 28 listopada 2023

Sutari - “Wiano”

Sutari 

Basia Songin — śpiew, bęben obręczowy, basetla, perkusjonalia, instrumenty codzienne (woda, tarka kuchenna)
Kasia Kapela — śpiew, skrzypce, perkusjonalia, instrumenty codzienne (deska kuchenna, nóż, kieliszek, butelki)
Zosia Barańska — śpiew, skrzypce, perkusjonalia, instrumenty codzienne (mikser kuchenny, klucze płaskie)

gościnnie:
Piotr Kędziorek – zapowiedź etnograficzna (5)
Piotr Pac-Pomarnacki – smażący jajeczniczę w kuchni (7)
Natalia i Grzegorz Ajdaccy – tańczący oberka (10)

“Wiano” (2014, reedycja z 2023 r.)

wyd. Audio Cave

Tekst: Szymon Stępnik


Ludowość to dość popularny (szczególnie ostatnimi czasy) motyw, po który sięgało wielu wybitnych artystów — nie tylko z pogranicza jazzu, ale też muzyki klasycznej i szeroko pojętej muzyki rozrywkowej w ogóle. Ostatnio miałem przyjemność wysłuchać wspaniałego koncertu Piotra Damasiewicza w ramach Letniej Akademii Jazzu, który na piękny, jazzowy sposób interpretował muzykę spod Beskidu Żywieckiego, gdzie swego czasu dostąpiłem okazji aby zdobyć szczyt Babiej Góry. Z motywem ludowym spotkać można się również w najnowszych “Chłopach” w reżyserii Doroty i Hugh Welchmana, którzy stali się zresztą polskim kandydatem do Oscara w kategorii najlepszego filmu nieanglojęzycznego. Zwieńczeniem mojej tegorocznej wędrówki po — zdawać by się mogło — oklepanym już temacie polskiej wsi, jest reedycja debiutanckiego albumu zespołu Sutari pod nazwą “Wiano”, który okazuje się być… zaskakująco świeży i dobry.

Zespół tworzą trzy intrygujące artystki specjalizujące się w szeroko pojętej muzyce ludowej — Basia Songin, Kasia Kapela i Zosia Barańska. Zadebiutował w 2012 roku na Festiwalu Folkowym Polskiego Radia „Nowa Tradycja” zdobywając II nagrodę jury i nagrodę publiczności. Działalność dziewczyn docenili też producenci filmu Chłopi, którzy zaprosili je wraz ze słynnym polskim producentem muzycznym Łukaszem Rostkowskim (znanym bardziej pod pseudonimem “L.U.C.”) do skomponowania soundtracku.

Już pierwszy utwór zwiastuje, że słuchacz będzie miał do czynienia z dziełem niezwykle oryginalnym. Jazzowo grające skrzypce (przypominające bardziej nowe Atom String Quartet, niż dźwięki etniczne) akompaniują tradycyjnym ludowym zaśpiewom. W tle słyszymy wiele intrygujących dźwięków, jak choćby skrzypienie drzwi oraz imitację śpiewu ptaków. Trzy kobiece głosy tworzą "swojski" klimat, choć harmonizują w sposób daleki od tradycyjnego. Każda piosenka na swój sposób ma coś niecodziennego, ciekawego oraz wyjątkowego. Uwielbiam ten fragment “Idzie niedźwiedź”, podczas którego jedna z artystek nuci w tle tytułowe słowa, tworząc tym samym swoisty wokalny akompaniament. Dzięki temu, album ten jest różnorodny i nie pozwala się nudzić.

Sutari daleko jest jednak do typowej grupy wokalnej a'la Novi Singers. Muzyka, choć schowana i oszczędna, odznacza się pomysłowością oraz wirtuozerią. O ile w twórczości Piotra Damasiewicza, którego ostatnimi czasy sporo słuchałem, bliżej jest do jazzu, bohaterów niniejszej recenzji należy utożsamiać raczej z muzyką ludową. Mimo to, subtelne dźwiękowe elementy są na tyle silne, szczególnie przy kolejnych przesłuchaniach, że skomponowanych motywów nie powstydziliby się najznamienitsi skrzypkowie jazzowi w Polsce. Świetnie wykorzystują też dźwięki tła, jak choćby wodę, kieliszki, tarcie ziemniaków lub nawet… smażoną jajecznicę.

Produkcyjnie również nie można niczego zarzucić. Dźwięki zostały nagrane bardzo wyraźnie, nowocześnie. Jestem wdzięczny, że nikt nie wpadł na pomysł, aby na siłę “postarzać” nagrania. Głosy poszczególnych dziewczyn nie są w stu procentach zsynchronizowane, co dodaje autentyczności i swojskości. Brzmienie instrumentów etnicznych oraz tzw. "dźwięków naturalnych" również zrealizowano na światowym poziomie.

Muzyka ludowa budzi skojarzenia z radością i sielanką. Sutari proponują jednak coś zgoła odmiennego. Zarówno w muzyce oraz w tekstach dominuje żal, rozpacz. To tylko potwierdza, jak nowatorskie w swoim wyrazie jest “Wiano”.

Tradycyjnie wianki noszone były przez dziewczęta i niezamężne kobiety, stąd stały się symbolem niewinności. O kobiecie zamężnej mówiło się, że „straciła wianek”. Tytuł płyty jest nieprzypadkowy, gdyż jest to de facto album koncepcyjny i opowiada o zmaganiach młodej niewiasty, która wyszła za mąż za niejakiego Jasia, a później przeżywała wszelkie perypetie z tym związane. Opowieść skupia się na cierpieniu i roli kobiet w dawnych czasach, których rola w społeczeństwie była przecież mocno marginalizowana. Bohaterka wyszła za Jasia, pomimo tego, że wcale tego nie pragnęła (“Kupalnocka”), przez co często się z nim kłóciła (“Konik morski”), a nawet sięgała po alkohol (“Wino”). Nawet gdy racja była po jej stronie, to ona musiała przepraszać swojego partnera (“Jeleń”). Ostatecznie, podobnie jak w przypadku Jagny z powieści “Chłopi”, jej jedyną winą była tylko jej uroda.

Swoją drogą, taka nowoczesna, feministyczna interpretacja motywów ludowych jest ostatnimi czasy dość popularna w kulturze. "Wiano" robi jednak krok do przodu i tworzy swoistą paralelę odnośnie dzisiejszych czasów, stanowiąc swoisty komentarz społeczny. Jako przykład wskażę tutaj fragment utworu “Chłopacy”:

"zegarek na ręku z kartofla zrobiony

i to jest nie jego — tylko pożyczony"

Aby nie było tak cukierkowo, wspomnieć należy też, niestety, o pewnych wadach dzieła. Nie wiem co tu robi “Zapowiedź etnograficzna”, która kompletnie zabija klimat i wyrywa z transu słuchacza. Nie rozumiem też, czemu znalazła się jedna piosenka w wersji koncertowej (a jeśli taką wersją nie jest i te brawa dograne zostały w studio — jest bez sensu jeszcze bardziej). Do nietrafionych pomysłów zaliczyć należy umieszczenie dwóch niemalże takich samych piosenek, czyli “Konika morskiego” i “Konika polskiego”. Te drobne kwestie psują klimat całości.

Do utworu Tranś nagrany został teledysk w reżyserii Tomasza Knittela, który chyba najlepiej podsumowuje czym jest muzyka Sutari, gdzie członkinie zespołu, ubrane na ludowo, podróżują samochodem po nowoczesnym mieście. “Wiano” jest więc takim niecodziennym i intrygującym połączeniem tradycji z nowoczesnością. Jeżeli komuś wydawało się, że w temacie polskiej muzyki etnicznej powiedziano już wszystko, po wysłuchaniu przedmiotowej płyty z pewnością zmieni zdanie.


poniedziałek, 12 kwietnia 2021

Jazz w Rybniku (2014)


"Jazz w Rybniku"
Czesław Gawlik, Anna Małecka
Rybnicka Agencja Wydawnicza

By Krzysztof Komorek

Sześć dekad historii jazzu w Rybniku prezentuje książka autorstwa Czesława Gawlika - muzyka i osoby od lat zaangażowanej w promocję kultury - oraz Anny Małeckiej - dziennikarki i autorki związanej ze sceną jazzową od strony organizacyjnej, a przez pewien czas również artystycznej - jako wykonawca.

Pierwsza, najobszerniejsza, cześć opracowania skupia się na przedstawieniu historii rybnickiego jazzu. Jako ciekawostkę warto wspomnieć, że autorom udało się znaleźć rybnickie wzmianki jazzowe jeszcze z lat 1920-30. Jednak zasadnicza narracja historyczna rozpoczyna się w roku 1954 od powstania kwintetu rytmicznego w jednym z lokalnych domów kultury. W poszczególnych rozdziałach Gawlik i Małecka opisują miejsca, wydarzenia i osoby, które wiążą się z powstaniem rybnickiego jazzu. Dokładnie przedstawiane są programy cyklicznych imprez, które odbywały się w regionie, nie brakuje również przypomnienia najważniejszych wydarzeń z konkretnych obiektów regularnie goszczących muzykę jazzową.

Druga część wydawnictwa skupia się na teraźniejszości rybnickiej sceny jazzowej. Przywoływane są najświeższe koncerty oraz ostatnie edycje festiwali (Silesian Jazz Meeting). Jeden z rozdziałów poświęcono Rybnickiej Szkole Jazzu i Muzyki Rozrywkowej. Autorzy nie zapomnieli również o "okolicach jazzu" - tytułując tak jeden z fragmentów, opowiadający o działaniach dotyczących bluesa i muzyki gospel. Tę cześć publikacji zamyka zestawienie biogramów najważniejszych osób związanych z jazzem w Rybniku. Krótka, trzecia część podsumowuje całość zbiorem barwnych anegdot. Co ciekawe i oryginalne, pomyślano również o miejscu na notatki, dzięki czemu treść można uzupełniać i aktualizować już we własnym zakresie.

Ogromną zaletą książki jest bardzo bogaty materiał archiwalny, uzupełniający główny wywód. Zdjęcia, reprodukcje plakatów, artykułów prasowych robią duże wrażenie. Należy docenić wysiłek autorów włożony w ich zgromadzenie i opracowanie. Uznanie wyrazić należy również za przygotowanie szerokiego indeksu nazwisk (co wbrew pozorom nie jest ostatnio oczywistą praktyką wydawniczą). "Jazz w Rybniku" to ważna i absolutnie cenna publikacja. Niezbędnik dla zainteresowanych jazzem w szerszym znaczeniu, jako zjawiskiem. Nieoceniona pomoc dla pasjonatów i profesjonalistów.   

środa, 7 listopada 2018

Weston/Majchrzak/Gembalski – Magic Hands (2014)

Weston/Majchrzak/Gembalski

Henryk Gembalski - violin
Krzysztof Majchrzak - guitar, bass
Calvin Weston - drums

Magic Hands

PRIVATE EDITION




By Adam Baruch

This is a live recording by a trio comprising of American drummer/multi-instrumentalist Calvin Weston and two Polish musicians: bassist/guitarist Krzysztof Majchrzak and violinist Henryk Gembalski. The album presents eight original pieces, all spontaneously improvised by the trio and co-credited to them.

The music is an amalgam of influences but basically comes down to Avant-garde Jazz-Rock Fusion, which although improvised has a clear melodic backbone, which serves as the underlying element for the extended improvisations. The unusual instrumental lineup creates a very effective ambience and the use of violin brings fond memories of early Fusion ensembles that featured the violin, like Flock, Hands and others.

Gembalski, one of the most underappreciated Polish Jazz figures, clearly proves that he is as good as any of his contemporaries, but his association with the Polish Avant-garde prevented his recognition in the mainstream Jazz circles, which is a great pity. Majchrzak drives the trio with his full bodied bass lines, which provide the continuity needed to avoid total mayhem. He is a perfect link between the stratospheric violin parts and the down to earth rhythmic layer provided by the drums.

Weston, a veteran improviser who played with some of the most important American Jazz innovators, turns out to be a gifted trumpeter as well, and his tribal drumming is exactly what this music needs. Overall this is a very interesting musical adventure, different stylistically and aesthetically from the usual Fusion outings, full of excellent solo parts and superb cooperation between the participating musicians, especially in view of the fact that the music was improvised live. For connoisseurs of the violin in Jazz / Fusion, this is a revelation.

piątek, 22 września 2017

Michał Milczarek Trio – Squirrels And Butterflies (2014)

Michał Milczarek Trio

Michał Milczarek - guitar
Bartosz Łuczkiewicz - bass
Mateusz Modrzejewski - drums

Squirrels And Butterflies

PRIVATE EDITION




By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by the Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion trio led by guitarist/composer Michał Milczarek, with bassist Bartek Łuczkiewicz and drummer Mateusz Modrzejewski. The album presents ten original compositions, nine by Milczarek and one by Łuczkiewicz.

The music is typical contemporary Jazz-Rock Fusion, with catchy riffs and somewhat unusual sound, which uses ambient effects in addition to the guitar power-trio format. The compositions are pretty basic, but serve the purpose as vehicles for the lengthy improvisations. The performances are solid, and within the Fusion idiom suit the music well. The overall sound of the album and the flow of the music are a bit repetitive, but there are enough interesting moments here to keep the listener attentive.

Overall this is a promising debut album, which offers some fresh approach to guitar based Fusion, but does not manage to deliver anything truly innovative. However, Fusion fans should find this album very interesting, especially due to the ambient associations and excellent guitar and bass parts. Recommended! The trio's second album entitled "Ambient Works", which left the Fusion direction and concentrated on Ambient Music, turned out to be a disappointment for me.

piątek, 26 sierpnia 2016

3D: Dąbrowski/Davis/Drury - Vermilion Tree (2014)

3D: Dąbrowski/Davis/Drury

Tomasz Dąbrowski - trumpet
Kris Davis - piano
Andrew Drury - drums

Vermilion Tree

FOR TUNE 0030




By Eyal Hareuveni

The international 3D trio was initiated by Polish, Denmark-based rising trumpeter Tomasz Dąbrowski during his 2012 visit to New York that already yielded a duo with drummer Tyshawn Sorey ("Steps", For Tune, 2013). Canadian, New York-based pianist Kris Davis and American drummer (with Nordic roots) Andrew Drury join Dąbrowski in a set of eight concise, snapshot-like duo and trio improvisations that blur the distinction with written compositions. The five longer compositions penned by Dąbrowski (plus one by Drury), all emphasize Dąbrowski's beautiful sound. 

Dąbrowski's aesthetics are praised in the liner notes by saxophonist Lotte Anker, trumpeters Axel Dorner and the Americans Ralph Alessi and Nate Wooley. All emphasize his personal voice "that is an extension, not a recreation of a tradition". Davis and Drury, no doubt, share a similar spirit. All three are informed by the past but aim for the future, open to experiment and search with forms, atmosphere, rhythm and sounds. Still, the adventurous spirit of search and discovery is channeled with an impressive focus and imagination to music making, through supportive and playful interplay that is often articulated in contemplative and lyrical motifs. 

Drury's powerful composition "Modules" pushes the envelope further. It alternates between an intense and conflictual opening that challenges Dąbrowski to follow dense, rhythmic clusters of sounds produced by Davis and Drury, and a sudden turn to a subtle, almost silent meditation on sounds, embracing gentle and weird ones alike. Dąbrowski's "Mattock Phrasemonger" is a moving, melancholic piece that highlights his poetic, emotional power and the spare manner that Davis and Drury outline Dąbrowski's flights. His "Ruddy Rudi" sketches a more experimental and dramatic exploration of a search after a form and "Apricot, apricot" is one of the few pieces that has a linear narrative. Highly impressive. Another testimony to the unique and original voice of Dąbrowski.

czwartek, 11 sierpnia 2016

Swingujące 3miasto (series) - Emil Kowalski (2014)

Swingujące 3miasto (series)

Emil Kowalski - clarinet
Leszek Możdżer - piano
Sławek Jaskułke - piano
Dominik Bukowski - vibraphone
Cezary Paciorek - accordion
Piotr Lemańczyk - bass
Janusz Mackiewicz - bass
Tomasz Sowiński - drums
Adam Czerwiński - drums


Emil Kowalski

SMJ 2014

By Robert Ratajczak

Seria płytowa "Swingujące 3miasto" ukazująca się początkowo nakładem wydawnictwa Soliton, a następnie przejęta przez Stowarzyszenie Muzyków Jazzowych Sopot, przypomina, a wielu miłośnikom jazzu dopiero przedstawia, najciekawszych wykonawców w historii pomorskiego jazzu. Jak dotąd pojawiły się na rynku płyty: Antykwintet, Baszta, Flamingo, Rama 111 i Leszek Dranicki (oraz kompilacja "Był Gdańsk" wydana przez Jazz Forum). Inicjatorem i szefem artystycznym tego niezwykle interesującego przedsięwzięcia jest Marcin Jacobson.

Szósta płyta z serii poświęcona została w całości nagraniom Emila Kowalskiego, zmarłego przedwcześnie w 2008 roku, jednego z najwybitniejszych klarnecistów w dziejach polskiego jazzu. W trakcie swej niezwykle obfitej w rozliczne konstelacje działalności, Kowalski zasilał składy takich formacji, jak Rama 111 czy Seaside Dixieland, oraz współpracował z całą rzeszą jazzowych instrumentalistów, pośród których warto wymienić choćby Eddie'ego Hendersona, Brada Terry'ego, Eda Schullera czy artystów polskich, takich jak Sławek Jaskułke, Leszek Dranicki, Wojciech Niedziela, Dominik Bukowski czy Leszek Możdżer.

Niewątpliwą frajdą dla jazzowych archiwistów są kompozycje Fryderyka Chopina w aranżacji na klarnet, akordeon i w jednym przypadku kontrabas, jakie Emil Kowalski przygotował z myślą o kolejnej płycie. Pozostałe nagrania wybrano z albumów: "Children Of Bird" (1999), "Kolędy" (2002) i "Playing Benny Goodman" (2003). 

Podczas drugiej w zestawie kompozycji Goodmana - "Benny's Buggle" - zwraca uwagę "ciężka" praca kontrabasu, będącego w tym nagraniu niejako wyznacznikiem brzmienia całego utworu. Janusz Mackiewicz funduje nam ponadto w czwartej minucie doskonałą partię solową. Akordeon Cezarego Paciorka świetnie współgra z wibrafonem Dominika Bukowskiego, przekomarzając się z klarnetem lidera. Kunszt Mackiewicza zachwyca w każdym spośród siedmiu nagrań zrealizowanych w składzie z kontrabasem. To właśnie niskie tony basowe wraz z ciężkimi akordami fortepianu Leszka Możdżera i szaleńczą perkusją Adama Czerwińskiego wyznaczają nurt dla linii klarnetu podczas rozimprowizowanego tematu Charlie'ego Parkera "Diverse", zarejestrowanego w Gdańsku w 1999 roku.

Uwagę przyciągają też klasyczne kolędy w aranżacjach Dominika Bukowskiego ("Jezus Malusieńki") i Emila Kowalskiego ("Oj, maluśki, maluśki") zamieszczone na końcu albumu. Wydawać by się mogło, iż w tak ogranych tematach trudno przekazać cokolwiek, czego jeszcze muzyczne ucho nie dostrzegło, a jednak... To po prostu kawałek świetnego jazzowego grania z dominującą rolą zarówno klarnetu, jak i wibrafonu oraz gitary basowej (Piotr Lemańczyk). Doskonałe przypomnienie, a zarazem płytowa wizytówka jednej z najbardziej nieodżałowanych postaci polskiego jazzu, jaką jest Emil Kowalski. Wyjątkowa perełka całej serii "Swingujące 3miasto".

www.longplay.blox.pl

sobota, 30 kwietnia 2016

Kazana/Twister/Alban Juarez – Mam Dwóch Wnuków W Birmingham (2014)

Kazana/Twister/Alban Juarez

Marek Kazana - saxophone
DJ Twister - turntable
Jose Manuel Alban Juarez - drums

Mam Dwóch Wnuków W Birmingham

BIG FLOW 01


By Adam Baruch

This is an album, which documents a cross-genre project by Polish trio, which consists of avant-garde Jazz saxophonist Marek Kazana, Grzegorz Czerkasow (a.k.a. DJ Twister) who spins the turntable and adds additional sound effects and instrumental parts and drummer Jose Manuel Alban Juarez. The trio co-composed seven original tracks, two of which feature Rap vocals by Adam Bogumił Zieliński (a.k.a. Łona).

The music demonstrates the multifaceted Polish music scene, which lacks any inhibitions as far as mixing diverse genres into a new amalgam. This album is not the first album of this sort and quite a few similar projects were released on the local scene in the last three decades, since the Polish Yass revolution completely buried conventions and "proper behavior" limitations.

Contrary to the expectation the music on this album is mostly "well behaved" and easily accessible by a wide variety of listeners. Kazana plays quite melodically and shows great restrain in comparison to his avant-garde Jazz output, Czerkasow keeps his effects well in check and Alban Juarez drives the music steadily forward with his solid drumming, which is full of textures and polyrhythmic tension.

Overall this is an interesting insight into the Polish scene, which might surprise listeners, who are not familiar with its diversity. There is not much innovation here perhaps, but the album reflects a successful cooperation of musicians coming from different backgrounds, which works well.

środa, 16 marca 2016

Adam Wendt Acoustic Set – Acoustic Travel (2014)

Adam Wendt Acoustic Set

Adam Wendt - tenor & soprano saxophones
Paweł Zagańczyk - accordion, bandoneon
Jarosław Stokowski - double bass
Tomasz Wendt - tenor saxophone
Grzegorz Nagórski - euphonium
Laura Cubi Villena - vocal

Acoustic Travel

SOLITON 367

By Adam Baruch

This is the sixth album as a leader by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist/composer Adam Wendt, recorded in an acoustic setting with his trio which features accordionist Paweł Zagańczyk and bassist Jarosław Stokowski. Three guest musicians are heard on a few tracks: vocalist Laura Cubi Villena, saxophonist Tomasz Wendt and euphonium player Grzegorz Nagórski. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are originals by Wendt (two of which are repeated in vocal and instrumental versions) and two come from the Jazz-World repertoire, composed one each by Richard Galliano and Astor Piazzolla. Villena wrote the lyrics for the three songs she performs on the album.

The music is a Jazz-World Fusion/Smooth Jazz effort, presenting a set of nice melodic compositions by the leader, all of which have a South American feel about them, mostly associated with the Tango. Wendt has a beautiful saxophone tone but his improvisations are limited within the melodic "safe" zone. It's great to hear the accordion, which is such beautiful and yet so neglected instrument in the Jazz idiom. The bass plays clean and precise backing notes and keeps the trio well together.

Overall this is a pleasant album, which offers no innovation or exploration whatsoever, staying well within the mainstream formula at all times but on the other hand it is very well executed and is very accessible for listeners who are well outside of the strict Jazz milieu.

wtorek, 8 grudnia 2015

Mike Parker's Unified Theory – Embrace The Wild (2014)

Mike Parker's Unified Theory

Bartek Prucnal - alto saxophone
Sławek Pezda - tenor saxophone
Cyprian Baszyński - trumpet
Mike Parker - double bass
Dawid Fortuna - drums

Embrace The Wild




PRIVATE EDITION

By Adam Baruch

American bassist/composer Mike Parker spent a period of a year and a half living in Kraków and playing with local young Polish Jazz musicians. He was a member of the NSI Quartet, together with trumpeter Cyprian Baszyński, saxophonist Bartłomiej Prucnal and drummer Dawid Fortuna, recording with them their excellent eponymous debut album. In parallel and with the addition of the saxophonist Sławomir Pezda they also recorded this album, Parker's second recording as a leader so far, which is released only now. It presents eight original compositions, all by Parker (except one co-composed with Prucnal), three of which are parts of a suite.

As already mentioned in my review of the NSI Quartet album, Parker had a huge influence on his Polish cohorts, taking them away from the European Jazz idiom into more traditional American approach. On this album this is even more perceptible, as the band is playing Parker's compositions and not those by the Polish players, like on the a.m. album.

Parker's music is a great example of modern American Jazz, which keeps up with the changes happening in the music and manages to get itself free from the stagnation that characterizes most American mainstream. His compositions are all well structured and include melodic statements, which then are improvised on, but the freedom and breathing space present in the music allow the musicians to take off and express their individuality, before returning to the compositional structure. All of his pieces are a pleasure to listen to, and the three-part suite that concludes the album is a profound and very moving composition that proves his great talent as a composer.

Of course Parker also plays some tasteful bass parts and his Polish colleagues, all of them superb musicians as well, make this music to come alive in its full splendor. These are after all some of the young lions that will represent the European Jazz scene in a few years. Overall an excellent effort, in every respect, definitely worth listening to, so get it ASAP and help Parker to move on and create some more great music for all of us to enjoy!

poniedziałek, 2 listopada 2015

Infant Joy Quintet – New Ghosts (2014)

Infant Joy Quintet

Ray Dickaty - tenor & soprano saxophones
Jan Małkowski - alto saxophone
Ksawery Wójciński - double bass, pocket trumpet
Michał Kasperek - drums, percussion
Dominik Mokrzewski - drums, percussion
Laura Waniek - chromatic harmonica, whistles, jaw harp

New Ghosts

FOR TUNE 0029

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut recording by the Polish Improvised Music ensemble Infant Joy Quintet, which consists of British (resident in Warsaw) saxophonist Ray Dickaty, and Polish musicians: saxophonist Jan Małkowski, bassist Ksawery Wójciński and drummers Michał Kasperek and Dominik Mokrzewski. Harmonica player Laura Waniek appears as a guest artist. The album presents three extensive improvisations, one of which is almost half an hour in duration, all credited to all the quintet members.

With a double saxophone/double drums lineup the quintet presents a solid showcase of concentrated group improvisation, which keeps a pretty steady level of intensity from the very first seconds the music starts to play till the very end, leaving almost no place for individual expression. The "wall of sound" effect hints (in addition to the album's title) as to the intention of the musicians to pay tribute to the legendary Albert Ayler, which is only partly successful.

Wojcinski, who is left alone in the "center" of this music, manages to keep the havoc in check, and his energetic, but well structured bass pulsations save the entire proceedings from disintegration. Collective improvisation is of course based primarily not on the ability of the musicians to play but rather on their ability to listen to what the other ensemble members play. On this album it often appears as if the mutual listening is secondary.

Overall this is a typical Improvised Music meeting, all a spur of the moment, completely unique and unrepeatable. As such it has its merits and is worth listening to, but there is hardly any groundbreaking, innovative or extraordinary statement being made here. It is important to listen to such music live but on record it loses its charm considerably.

piątek, 21 sierpnia 2015

Pulsarus - Bee Itch (2014)

Pulsarus

Dominik Strycharski - blockflutes
Tomasz Dąbrowski - trumpet
Aleksander Papierz - alto saxophone
Ray Dickaty - tenor saxophone
Stefan Orins - electric piano
Jacek Mazurkiewicz - double bass
Jakub Rutkowski - drums



Bee Itch (2014)

FOR TUNE 0023

By Glenn Astarita

When discussing progressive jazz contexts, let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Poland who have been riding the cutting-edge schema for decades, evidenced by pianists Adam Makowicz, Marcin Wasilewski, trumpeter Tomasz Stańko and other notables of the global jazz and improvising network. However, the young For Tune record label highlights fledgling talent and seasoned vets who may not be household names in the West. Hence, Pulsarus is a prime of example of a band that ventures outside the box. Formed in 2003, the acoustic-electric group features Dominik Strycharski's use of the recorder-like blockflute to link copious additives and bizarre effects into the big picture.

Interestingly enough, the ensemble launches the album with John Lennon's "Imagine." During the onset, soft horns shape the primary theme, but as the album progresses, the musicians execute a horde of off-center contrasts and bursting choruses along with experimental episodes. Strycharski's blockflute work is apt to affix a festive touch and eerie overtones into certain passages that uncannily sound electronically treated. The ensemble's restless spirit shines on a per-track basis as they pursue odd-metered conceptualizations and soundscapes, etched with expressionistic improvisational segments and avant-garde jazz interludes. But they often slam matters into the ozone via brute force soloing, layered passages, brash horns arrangements and ominous progressions. 

"Isogriv 2" commences with Stefan Orins' lower-register Fender Rhodes phrasings, steeped in a slow tempo groove, dappled with oddball background treatments, echoing horns and airy flutes. Here, they emit a foreboding vista; although the artists often intersperse gravelly dissonance with heavy metal jazz imagery amid bold works such as "Isogrov 3," that boast zany improvisational tactics and convey a shock and awe mindset. In sum, listening to this ensemble is a stirring experience that should excite the hearts and minds of jazz enthusiasts who yearn for something that goes against the grain, augmented by a highly entertaining form-factor.

niedziela, 16 sierpnia 2015

Piotr Wyleżoł – Improludes (2014)

Piotr Wyleżoł

Piotr Wyleżoł - piano

Improludes

HEVHETIA 0083






By Adam Baruch

This is the first piano solo album by Polish Jazz pianist/composer Piotr Wyleżoł and his sixth release as a leader/co-leader. It comes after a relatively prolonged period of silence (about five years) since his last recording. The album presents eight original compositions by Wylezol partly inspired by the work of the great Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, especially Liszt's etudes, hence the tongue in cheek album's title. The album was released by the Slovak Hevhetia label, which seems to be lately one of the favorite labels of the Polish Jazz artists, which is hardly surprising considering the great job the label is doing so far.

The association with Liszt's romanticism is hardly accidental, as Wyleżoł's music displays clear Classical Music influences. Combined with the Polish lyricism and a wonderful sense of melody, these pieces are a delightful set of melodic gems, which are easy on the ear but at the same time invoke deep emotions and a charming aptitude. Solo piano lovers will find here everything one might expect from a solo piano album – excellent music, beautiful and sensitive execution and a superb recording quality, which is always an essential ingredient of such projects.

Overall this music is not very innovative or groundbreaking, but its merits are clearly on quite a different musical layer, aesthetically close to the European Classical Music tradition, updated and transposed to contemporary language. Therefore this album should not be judged nor should it be approach from a strict Jazz point of reference, but should be allowed the leeway of a more open minded attitude towards its true artistic significance and impact.

One might speculate if this album marks a turning point in Wyleżoł's career, especially as a composer, leading to a whole new path combining his classical training and Jazz improvisation, or is this just a one time journey of discovery? Regardless of the answer, let's hope we won't have to wait for another five years to hear the answer to this question. Welcome back!

wtorek, 4 sierpnia 2015

Dzioboń/Wieczorek/Wielgosz – Payoff (2014)

Dzioboń/Wieczorek/Wielgosz

Dawid K. Wieczorek - guitar
Bartłomiej Wielgosz - saxophone
Michał Dzioboń - drums

Payoff

PRIVATE EDITION




By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Improvising Music trio, which comprises of drummer Michał Dzioboń, guitarist Dawid K. Wieczorek and saxophonist Bartłomiej Wielgosz. The music, recorded during an improvised session, was then split into ten tracks, and those were later given titles.

Contrary to most Improvised Music meetings, this trio's music is relatively mild, non-aggressive and even melodic to some extent. Although the guitar often plays with distortion and electronic feedback, it is balanced by the acoustic saxophone and down to earth percussive approach. Overall it is after all just an artistic experience shared by three musicians, captured and frozen in time by the recording.

There is definitely a dialogue (or trialogue) going on and the musicians have played together earlier on and listen to each other attentively. They employ a wide range of sound effects, especially the electronically aided guitar, but also the unusual usage of drums, which are quite effective and make this music quite interesting for the listener.

On the other hand, however, freely Improvised Music is by definition relevant almost exclusively only while it is performed live, and recordings of such material are simply drained of the emotional as well as artistic essence in most cases. I find it hard to believe that anybody would listen to such music on record more than once, except for extreme devotees. Overall this is an interesting endeavor, sadly limited to a miniscule specialized audience. Artistically of course it is completely relevant and engaging.

wtorek, 21 lipca 2015

Ptaszyn Wróblewski Sextet – Moi Pierwsi Mistrzowie (2014)

Ptaszyn Wróblewski Sextet

Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski - tenor saxophone
Robert Majewski - trumpet, flugelhorn
Henryk Miśkiewicz - alto saxophone
Wojciech Niedziela - piano
Sławomir Kurkiewicz - bass
Marcin Jahr - drums


Moi Pierwsi Mistrzowie

BOOGIE 007

By Adam Baruch

This is a live recording by one of Polish Jazz Godfathers, saxophonist/composer Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski and his sextet, which also includes trumpeter Robert Majewski, saxophonist Henryk Miśkiewicz, pianist Wojciech Niedziela, bassist Sławomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Marcin Jahr, all renowned Polish Jazz musicians. As the album's title suggests, Wróblewski (born 1936) pays tribute to three Polish Jazz icons, with whom he played as a young musician: Krzysztof Komeda (born 1931), Andrzej Trzaskowski (born 1933) and Andrzej Kurylewicz (born 1932). Sadly all three are no longer with us. Of the six tracks on the album, three were composed by Komeda, two by Trzaskowski and one by Kurylewicz. In the liner notes Wroblewski lists the many differences between these three legendary figures and his personal experiences from the encounters with them.

The music is kept well within the mainstream modern Jazz idiom, perfectly and flawlessly performed by all the musicians involved, but somehow lacking the excitement and exhilaration one might expect but such classy company and such ambitious task. The arrangements of the remarkable compositions presented herein are also not in par with the expectations, especially the Komeda tunes, which sound as if they were simplified and sound way too "smooth" in comparison to their original form, as intended by the composer.

Overall this is a first class collection of classic Polish Jazz compositions, played by a highly professional sextet, which sadly fails to reach the level of depth and sincerity these tunes deserve. Of course mainstream Jazz enthusiasts will find this album to be perfectly adequate, but for me a feeling of a missed opportunity is lingering as this music plays in the background. The individual solo spots, which are quite impressive in some cases, fail to save the day. I'm sure Wróblewski and his cohorts will rise to the challenge again next time.

poniedziałek, 13 lipca 2015

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet – Polka (2014)

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet

Oskar Torok - trumpet
Marek Pospieszalski - saxophone
Joanna Duda - piano
Wojtek Mazolewski - double bass
Qba Janicki - drums
Michał Bryndal - drums
Sara Brylewska- voice


Polka

AGORA 9788326813801

By Adam Baruch

This is the third album by Polish Jazz bassists/composer Wojtek Mazolewski and his quintet, which also includes Slovak trumpeter Oskar Torok, saxophonist Marek Pospieszalski, pianist Joanna Duda and drummers Qba Janicki and Michał Bryndal. The album presents twelve compositions (one repeated twice), six of which are originals by Mazolewski, two are originals by Duda, one is credited to the entire quintet and three are covers.

The music on this album was written over a long period of time and reflects the personal life of the leader and the touring experiences by his quintet, as well as their musical preferences. It is a mixed bag of various influences, including Jazz but not necessarily strictly connected with Jazz, as usual with Mazolewski's albums. His tap-dance between Jazz and more popular Pop & Rock idioms seem to work miracles during the quintet's live shows, which are extremely well attended by enthusiastic audiences, but it does not translate that well into albums, like this one, which are a mixed, unfocused bag.

Of course these are top-notch players, especially Duda, who displays a remarkable ability to adopt her playing to the various musical environments present herein and sets her own voice in her compositions. The sound is smooth and likeable as is the music and overall this album is a lot of fun to listen to, but leaves very little of an afterthought.

The album is beautifully packaged in a fancy digibook format, with great photos and Mazolewski's reflections about the music. BTW the work "Polka" has a double meaning: a Folk dance (of Czech origin) and a Polish female person; a dichotomy Mazolewski explores in detail.

I had a lot fun listening to this album but at the same time, as with all albums by Mazolewski, I feel a bit cheated, always getting a bit less than I hoped for. Some music simply does sound better live…

środa, 8 lipca 2015

Marcin Masecki - El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido (2014)

Marcin Masecki

Piotr Nowicki - piano

El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido

BR 1023





By Marta Januszkiewicz

Marcin Masecki, porzucając na chwilę rolę pianisty-improwizatora, wypróbował swych sił jako kompozytor. Autor wykorzystał formę klasyczną o sporej tradycji: wariacje. Ułożył ich dziewiętnaście, każda trwa od dziewięciu sekund do dziewięciu minut. Nowością jest też to, że nie zagrał swego dzieła sam: wariacje powierzył Piotrowi Nowickiemu.

Za ich temat wziął pieśń "El Pueblo Unido, Jamás Será Vencido!" (tłum. Lud zjednoczony nigdy nie będzie zwyciężony!). To nieformalny hymn przeciwników Pinocheta z czasów puczu w Chile w 1973 roku. Pieśń rewolucyjna. Piosenkę tę przejmują i modyfikują na swoje potrzeby różne ruchy lewicowe i antywojenne, została choćby sparafrazowana przez raperów ukraińskiej "Pomarańczowej rewolucji" w 2004 roku (a potem wykonana na Eurowizji…) – jako "Razom nas bahato". Czyżby Masecki poszedł tropem pianisty-eksperymentalisty – i lewicowca zaangażowanego politycznie – Frederica Rzewskiego, który stworzył na temat "El Pueblo Unido, Jamás Será Vencido!" cykl trzydziestu sześciu wariacji?

O ile u Rzewskiego rozumiemy kontekst, przesłanie, to u Maseckiego temat staje się formą zabawy. Nie ma w jego wariacjach krzty powagi wpisanej w naturę tej pieśni. Jest za to nieustanne burzenie i budowanie jej interpretacji. Jakby Masecki ciągle dobierał do niej nowe przebranie, różne oblicza. Na początku temat pieśni poddawany jest dekonstrukcji w stylu typowym dla stylistyki Maseckiego, do tego z nutą jazzową. Miejscami kompozytor wydaje się zachwycać linią melodyczną. Tak, ona potrafi być urocza. Zostaje więc wyśpiewana w dynamice piano w jedno- i dwugłosowym andante. W środkowych ustępach muzyka staje się oniryczna, daleka, jak marzenie z przeszłości. Następnie nachalna, repetytywna – cztery ustępy po około dziesięć sekund, a każdy niezwykle podobny. Zamiast fortepianu słyszymy w nich pianino, którego struny i mechanizmy młoteczkowe nadwątlił już czas.

Na koniec owe zdegenerowane dźwięki przeistaczają się w akordowy finał przeplatany melodiami radości oraz harmoniami strachu, a wszystko jakby latino (czyżby to nawiązanie do południowoamerykańskiego rodowodu pieśni?). Czysta groteska. I słuchacz nie wie, czy ma pogłębiać swoją refleksję nad tym wszystkim. A może nie ma w tych wariacjach-wariactwach żadnej większej wartości? Sam Masecki nie wypowiada się na temat swojego dzieła w superlatywach. To dobrze o nim świadczy.

czwartek, 25 czerwca 2015

Ola Trzaska – All Around (2014)

Ola Trzaska

Ola Trzaska - vocals, flute
Łukasz Korybalski - trumpet
Michał Tomaszczyk - trombone
Marcin Piekos - keyboards
Andrzej Święs - bass
Sebastian Kuchczyński - drums

All Around

SJ 009

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish vocalist/flautist/ songwriter Ola Trzaska, recorded by a sextet which also includes trumpeter Łukasz Korybalski, trombonist Michał Tomaszczyk, keyboardist Marcin Piekos, bassist Andrzej Święs and drummer Sebastian Kuchczyński. The album presents eight songs, all original by Trzaska (music and lyrics), six of which feature English and two Polish lyrics.

The music is a nice mixture of Pop/Soul/Funk & Groove, based on Trzaska's melodic themes jazzed up by the arrangements and instrumental work, especially that of the brass section. Not a Jazz album per se, but close enough for comfort to turn the ear of a Jazz fan as well as those who have almost nothing to do with it.

Usually I completely condemn Polish singers singing in English, but in this case the result is acceptable, thanks to Trzaska's phrasing and a skillful mix which keeps the vocals usually in unisono with instrumental backing, which mute the language "imperfections".

Trzaska has a limited vocal range and wisely utilizes her voice safely within her comfort zone, which of course becomes somewhat inadequate in the long range, making all the songs to sound a bit alike. But her singing is expressive and full of emotion, which overall saves the day. Combined with the truly inspired instrumental work by the players, the album is a fun to listen to. Swies deserves a special mention since his bass notes drive the entire album with an incredible funky groove. Tomaszczyk also plays a few beautiful trombone solos on the album, which are little gems.

This is definitely an impressive debut, presenting Trzaska as a gifted songwriter, vocalist and arranger, who will surely take part in the development of the Polish music scene in the years to come.

sobota, 20 czerwca 2015

Mikołaj Trzaska Ircha Clarinet Quartet – Black Bones (2014)

Mikołaj Trzaska Ircha Clarinet Quartet

Mikołaj Trzaska - Bb metal & bass clarinets
Michał Górczyński - Bb & bass clarinets
Paweł Szamburski - Bb & bass clarinets
Wacław Zimpel - Bb, alto & bass clarinets


Black Bones

KILOGRAM 031

By Adam Baruch

This is the fourth album by the iconic Polish clarinet quartet Ircha, led by Mikołaj Trzaska and also including Michał Górczyński, Paweł Szamburski and Wacław Zimpel. These four players are all ensemble leaders on they own right and are among the undisputed leaders of the avant-garde Polish Jazz/Improvised Music scene in the last decade. But above all they are superbly talented musicians and creative personalities, who turn Ircha into a supergroup of legendary proportions. This album is in fact a twin album, not a 2 CD album, but two separately packaged albums recorded just three months apart, one in a studio and the other one live, presenting almost completely different musical material.

The studio album presents thirteen pieces (collected into ten tracks), some traditional Sephardic and Hasidic Jewish songs, others composed by Trzaska and yet others composed by the quartet. The live album presents also thirteen pieces (collected into eight tracks), with just a few of them being the same ones as those on the studio album, also being traditional Jewish songs, others composed by Trzaska or by the quartet. The live album was recorded at the Falenica (a Warsaw suburb) train station, during a concert I had the immense pleasure to attend and meet Mikołaj and the quartet in person for the first time. My warm applause is therefore captured for posterity on that album.

Although including only clarinets, Ircha is capable of producing an almost symphonic wall of sound, which can be immensely impressive. The various clarinets cover a wide range of the audible spectrum and compliment each other beautifully. The overall sound produced by Ircha is therefore a completely unique and incomparable sonic experience, which combined with the deeply spiritual music, has an overwhelming impression on the listener, reaching deeply into the soul and completely transfixing the mind.

Of course the music of Ircha is also a symbol of the rebirth of Jewish music in Poland, where it originally existed for almost a millennium, before being eradicated by the Holocaust. The fact that Polish musicians, regardless of the fact if they have a Jewish background or not, take traditional Jewish music into the next millennium, and into a new dimension, is truly astounding and uplifting. The entire phenomenon, which involves a surprisingly large group of Polish musicians, many of them from the Jazz idiom, is simply miraculous. There is no doubt that Ircha is amongst the cream of the crop of these musicians/ensembles, and perhaps the most important amongst them aesthetically and artistically.

The music of Ircha is a bridge between styles and cultures, freedom and discipline, emotion and intellect. Such a complex arsenal of stimuli is able to reach a diverse public, from many different backgrounds, ages and personal tastes, and this is its true forte. This is why each and every listener of their music receives a different input and generates a different reaction; exactly what great Art is all about.

czwartek, 18 czerwca 2015

Jacek Namysłowski - Moderate Haste (2014)

Jacek Namysłowski

Jacek Namysłowski - trombone, flute
Łukasz Poprawski - alto & soprano saxophones
Łukasz Ojdana - piano
Andrzej Święs - bass
Paweł Dobrowolski - drums

Moderate Haste


BKQ 004

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz trombonist/composer Jacek Namysłowski, which comes rather late in his career as he has been active on the local scene for quite a while. He is a son of the legendary Polish Jazz figure saxophonist/composer Zbigniew Namysłowski, and since several years has been a member of his father's ensemble, as well as several other projects. The album was recorded in a classic quintet lineup with saxophonist Łukasz Poprawski, pianist Łukasz Ojdana, bassist Andrzej Święs and drummer Paweł Dobrowolski. It presents seven original compositions, all by the leader (although the album's packaging says nothing about this, I assume it is so). The album was recorded at the excellent Studio Tokarnia, engineered by Jan Smoczyński, with spectacular sonic quality.

The music is kept well within the mainstream Jazz milieu, which means solid melodic themes expanded to make room for solos by the ensemble members, with relatively steady rhythmic approach and no great surprises. The compositions are all well rounded and based on fine melodic themes, mostly lyrical and somewhat melancholic. This is definitely well crafted music, intelligent and subtle, which does not try to create flashy impressions but asks for attentive listening. In some respects it is somewhat similar to the music which Zbigniew Namysłowski wrote in the early days of his career, but does not venture into folkloristic influences, staying firmly within the well threaded Jazz path.

The individual performances are all quite excellent, as these are first-class experienced and gifted musicians. Namysłowski plays beautifully and demonstrates a personal voice, which is not easy to achieve for such a difficult instrument as the trombone. Poprawski plays several fiery solos; the young Ojdana demonstrates his exceptional ability once again, turning every little solo of his into an instant gem. The rhythm section does a perfect job driving the music forward steadily and smoothly with flair and obvious sensitivity.

Overall this is pleasant, well rounded mainstream Jazz album, with good music and excellent performances, which should make every Jazz fan happy. People looking for more adventurous outings might find this music somewhat "outdated", but honestly every candid and well played Jazz album has its place and its audience. Definitely worth investigating!

poniedziałek, 15 czerwca 2015

Tie Break – Tie Break (Box Set) (2014)

Tie Break

Antoni Gralak - trumpet
Mateusz Pospieszalski - saxophone
Janusz Yanina Iwański - guitar
Marcin Pospieszalski - bass
with others

Tie Break (Box Set)

PRIVATE EDITION

By Adam Baruch

This incredible box set is a long overdue tribute and homage to Tie Break, one of Poland's most important ensembles in the country's modern music history, a cult phenomenon known mostly only to insiders and a cradle of the Polish rebellious musical underground, which kept the flame of uncompromised Artistic expression burning for decades, while the rest of the scene was drowning in opportunistic nothingness and anticultural shite.

Of course analyzing the importance of Tie Break is impossible without explaining the political, social, economic and historical background of Poland during the period spanning about three decades from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, which is the period when the ensemble was active in one form or another. However, as usual, a scope of a music review is definitely way too limited to even attempt such a challenging task, therefore my references to these subjects will be naturally limited. It is important to remember that these were the most tumultuous years for the Polish People, and amongst them Polish Artists, which saw a gradual but dramatic transformation from the darkest pits of Socialist Regime to a free Democratic society, a process of unparalleled National trauma and Social upheaval.

Tie Break hails from Czestochowa, a provincial Polish town (which happens to be the birthplace of my Father), famous as one of Poland's most important religious centers, with the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora and its Black Madonna painting drawing millions of Catholic pilgrims every year from the world over. Even during the darkest times of the Socialist Regime the town kept being flooded by pilgrims, to the dismay of the ruling party officials. In order to change the town's image a huge steel mill and other industrial enterprises were constructed in the area, which caused a rapid expansion of the town (and of course massive pollution). In retrospect Czestochowa had its share of unholy activities, with dozens of Beat and Rock groups active in the city since the late 1960s, and the early days of Tie Break are largely a result of this background, leading to the formation of the ensemble in the late 1970s. Music was, after all, a most popular method of escapism for young people living at the time on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The need to escape reality was as strong in the case of deep economic depression in the West as it was in the case of oppressive ideology in the East.

The group went through many personnel changes during its early days, but eventually the core crystallized around four musicians: trumpeter Antoni Gralak, saxophonist Mateusz Pospieszalski, guitarist Janusz Yanina Iwański and bassist Marcin Pospieszalski. The booklet accompanying this box set lists twenty three musicians, who cooperated with the ensemble for various periods of time over the years. The music of Tie Break was a completely unique and immediately recognizable amalgam of Rock, Funk, Jazz, Avant-Garde and World Music influences, which was light-years ahead of its time and kept developing constantly during the time of its existence.

In parallel to their activities with Tie Break, the ensemble members also took part in other revolutionary enterprises on the local scene, like the legendary Free Cooperation ensemble or the Young Power ensemble, and appeared under different monikers playing more Rock oriented material, such as the Svora group with vocalist Stanisław Sojka or the WooBooDoo group. And yet in spite of their obvious talents and brilliant music-making the musicians of Tie Break and the ensemble itself were left to vegetate on the very outskirts of the local scene, with obvious animosity and dislike from almost everybody connected to the music scene: media, record labels, press and even fellow Jazz musicians, especially those mainstream veterans who felt threatened by their innovative and uncompromising approach to music.

Tie Break had to wait for over ten years to record their debut album, the eponymous live album recorded in 1988 and released a year later, and recorded only four proper albums altogether during their career. Although their music was mostly instrumental, they used sometimes lyrics in an imaginary gibberish language. Their fourth and last album was an outstanding Jazz & Poetry project, which featured the great vocalist of Greek origin, Jorgos Skolias, singing poems written by the priest/poet Jan Twardowski.

Listening to the music of Tie Break brings on in retrospect the obvious influences that shaped the ensemble's creations: first and foremost the improvisational freedom of John Coltrane, which seems to be the most significant ingredient linking the ensemble members, but there are also obvious shades of the late Miles Davis bands with their heavy Funk, as well as contemplative Indian music, tribal chants and other folkloristic elements. And of course above all there is the omnipresent spice of craziness, madness, artistic folly and zaniness, which turn the music from being just great into being divine. Some music critics credit Tie Break for being precursors of Yass, but personally I don't support this line of thought. Yass was motivated mainly by protest and revolt against old ways (of Jazz), whereas Tie Break were simply inventing new Jazz in a most positive way they could think off, in complete disregard of commercialism, opportunism and fads of fashion, as appropriate for true anarchists, and as most anarchist they never achieved fame and fortune, but they managed to expand the borders of our culture more than most others, for which they deserve our eternal gratitude.

This box set includes remastered versions of the four Tie Break albums and three additional CDs with archive and radio recordings by Tie Break, Svora and WooBooDoo. Beautifully packaged and accompanied by a gorgeous booklet with original artwork and in-depth interviews with Tie Break members, this is obviously a labor of love and finally a much deserved retrospective of one of Poland's most meaningful musical contributors. This is an absolute must to any serious Polish Jazz or Polish Culture connoisseur.

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