Winicjusz Chróst - Promienie dźwięku (2021)

Winicjusz Chróst

Promienie dźwięku (2021)

Wydawca: GAD Records

Tekst: Mateusz Chorążewicz

Winicjusz Chróst to jeden z najważniejszych polskich muzyków lat 70-tych i 80-tych XX wieku, który za życia nie doczekał się swojej autorskiej, solowej płyty. Album "Promienie dźwięku", który swoją premierę miał w listopadzie 2021 to w istocie antologia nagrań artysty.

Na całość składa się dwanaście zremasterowanych utworów z archiwum Polskiego Radia z okresu lat 1983 – 1987. Poza Winicjuszem Chróstem na gitarze i syntezatorze usłyszymy tu także takich artystów jak Adam Lewandowski (perkusja), Jerzy Bartz (perkusjonalia), Zbigniew Wegehaupt (kontrabas), Janusz Skowron (fortepian), Joanna Morska (wokal), Ewa Bem (wokal), Izabela Zając (wokal), Czesław Bartkowski (perkusja), czy Janusz Smyk (saksofon tenorowy). Od takiego składu należy oczekiwać samych najlepszych rzeczy i taki też materiał otrzymujemy.

Wszystkie kompozycje zachowane są w stylistyce fusion, która w tamtym okresie właściwie królowała na szeroko rozumianej polskiej scenie jazzowej. Wiele brzmień, zastosowanych harmonii, czy form kompozycyjnych od razu przywodzi na myśl takie zespoły jak choćby Weather Report. Muzyka jest silnie inspirowana amerykańską szkołą fusion i jako taką należy ją traktować.

Co zwróciło moją szczególną uwagę to fakt, że całość brzmi w sposób bardzo spójny, pomimo sporego rozstrzału czasowego nagrań. Nie mówię już nawet o charakterze muzyki, ale również o różnorodności środowiska nagraniowego. Osoby odpowiedzialne za przygotowanie zremasterowanych wersji wykonały tu kawał naprawdę dobrej roboty.

Dnia 28.03.2022 przypada druga rocznica śmierci Winicjusza Chrósta. Uważam, że album Promienie dźwięku to wspaniały hołd dla całej kariery muzyka, który nie doczekał swojej solowej płyty. Oczywiście muzyka sama w sobie nie jest w żaden sposób przełomowa. Nie wywróci ona do góry nogami naszego postrzegania muzyki fusion czy nawet dotychczasowej wiedzy o twórczości Winicjusza Chrósta, ale przez nie o to w tym przypadku chodzi. Dzięki tej płycie otrzymujemy świetnej jakości materiał muzyczny niejako dokumentujący dokonania artysty i utrwalający pamięć o nim.

Specjalne podziękowania należą się córce Winicjusza, Aleksandrze Chróst, która trzyma pieczę nad twórczością ojca i dzięki której album taki jak ten ujrzał światło dzienne.

Ewa Bem – Tribute To Marek Bliziński (2015)

Ewa Bem

Ewa Bem - vocals
Marek Bliziński - guitar
Janusz Strobel - guitar
Jan Borysewicz - guitar
Jarosław Śmietana - guitar
Wojciech Waglewski - guitar
Jose Torres - percussion

Tribute To Marek Bliziński


POLSKIE RADIO 1945-1946

By Adam Baruch

This is a wonderful archival 2CD album by the Polish vocalist Ewa Bem, which she dedicates to the memory of the superb and tragically prematurely departed Polish Jazz guitarist Marek Bliziński, who died from cancer just a few days before his forty second birthday. Bliziński was the first modern Polish Jazz guitarist of international class and for many years during the 1970s and 1980s was considered the top guitarist on the Polish Jazz scene.

Bem and Bliziński recorded together several times as a duo and these recordings were collected on the album "Dla Ciebie Jestem Sobą", released by the Poljazz label, which is reissued here as the first CD of this album. The album consists of eleven songs, nine of which were written by Polish composers and lyricists, and two are standards with lyrics translated into the Polish language. In retrospect, although over three decades have passed since this music was recorded, these songs sound remarkably fresh and sparkling, losing none of their original charm. As noted in the liner notes, these duo recordings were inspired by the Ella Fitzgerald/Joe Pass sessions, which produced four superb albums released in the 1970s and 1980s. Blizinski's virtuosic guitar riffs are beyond reproach, precise and incredibly sensitive, and he proves being not only an exceptional player, but also a most sympathetic musical partner. Bem's youthful energy and obvious talent come to full fruition on this recording, presenting her as fully mature vocalist in complete control of her vocal abilities. Her interpretations of these songs show that she feels comfortably in a Jazz environment, but easily moves into Cabaret and Pop, with the same seriousness and dedication.

The second CD of this album presents a live recording of a concert from 2000, which was a tribute to Bliziński and which presents new versions of the songs originally recorded on the duo album with Bem being accompanied by four Polish guitarists: Jan Borysiewicz, Janusz Strobel, Jarosław Śmietana (who sadly also died from cancer in 2013) and Wojciech Waglewski. The vocal/guitar duos are accompanied by percussionist Jose Torres. In addition to the songs from the original album the duos perform also songs written by the guitarists. Everybody seems to be in top form and the music flows splendidly from one song to another with Bem being on top of things at all times. Her vocal abilities are in excellent form during the entire concert and she elegantly moves between genres, whether it is Jazz, Pop or Blues. The entire concert is a very heartfelt tribute to the memory of Blizinski, who of course deserves to be remembered for his invaluable contributions over the years.

The entire album has excellent sound quality and is carefully produced and packaged, bringing back to life an important segment of the Polish Jazz history, and as such is of course most welcome.

BemiBem – Bemowe Frazy (Polish Jazz Vol.96 Deluxe, 1974)

Ewa Bem - vocal, precussion

Paweł Dąbrowski - bass

Mariusz Mrockowski - piano, vocal

Tomasz Jaśkiewicz - guitar

Aleksander Bem - percussion, vocal

special guests:

Marek Bliziński - guitar, 12-strings guitar

Jan Jarczyk - Fender piano

Wojciech Kowalewski - percusion, vocal

Zespół Instrumentalny - Tomasz Ochalski - conductor

Bemowe Frazy (Polish Jazz Vol.96 Deluxe, 1974)

This is the only album by the Polish Jazz-Rock ensemble BemiBem, which was formed by the siblings Ewa Bem and Aleksander Bem, both vocalists and percussionists. The group was formed after the ensemble Bemibek fell apart and the Bems remained as leaders of the new one. Aleksander composed nine of the eleven songs included here, which are all very melodic and quite sophisticated. The music is a mixture of Pop, Rock and Jazz, featuring excellent vocal harmonies accompanied by a great band and guest musicians like guitarist Marek Blizinski, pianist Jan Jarczyk and others. The vocal parts are somewhat similar to the style pioneered by the great Polish vocal ensemble NOVI. In retrospect this album is an overlooked gem, almost forgotten, but still sounding great after all these years. Although only marginally Jazz as such, it has a lot of Jazzy influences, which are clearly evident in the arrangement, instrumental backing and overall attitude. Ewa Bem would of course carry on becoming the First Lady of the Polish Jazz in the next decade, with this album being a nice reminder of the times when we were all much younger and innocent. It was an immense fun to listen to this album again after all those years and it remains to be a source of great musical fun. A must!

Track listing:

1. Podaruj mi trochę słońca
2. Bemowe frazy
3. Nie bójmy się wiosny
4. Dlaczego nas tam nie ma
5. Kolorowe lato
6. Nigdy w życiu
7. Podróż bez dziewczyny
8. Już ci nigdy nie przyrzeknę
9. Wędrowiec i Pegaz
10. Zawsze mamy siebie
11. Jajecznica

By Adam Baruch
http://www.adambaruch.com/

Ewa Bem – Loves The Beatles (Polish Jazz Vol.84 Deluxe, 1984)

Ewa Bem - vocals, background vocals (1, 2, 6-8, 10-12 ), percussion (50)

Marek Stefankiewicz - Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano (1, 9)

Winicjusz Chróst - guitars (1, 2, 6-7, 9, 11), drums programming (2, 6-7)
Arkadiusz Żak - bass guitar (1, 9)
Tomasz Szukalski - tenor sax (1, 6, 9-10, 12)
Wojciech Karolak - Fender Rhodes (2), acoustic piano (2, 6), synthesizers (4, 6, 7)
Wojciech Kowalewski - percussion (2-6, 8, 10-12) drums (3-5, 7-8, 10-12)
Jerzy Kaczmarek - Fender Rhodes (3-5, 8, 10-12), synthesizers (3-5, 8, 10-12), acoustic piano (11)
Romuald Frey - guitar (3-5, 8, 10-12)
Mieczysław Jurecki - bass guitar (3-5, 8, 10-12)
Henryk Majewski - trumpet (3-6, 8, 10)
Stanisław Mizeracki - trumpet (3-5, 8, 10)
Dariusz Macioch - trombone (3-5, 8, 10)
Roman Syrek - trombone (3-5, 8, 10)
Andrzej Jagodziński - French Horn (9)

Loves The Beatles (Polish Jazz Vol.84 Deluxe, 1984)

This is quite an unusual album on which Polish Jazz singer Ewa Bem undertakes the difficult task of interpreting twelve songs by the Beatles, a concept which usually very quickly turns into a disaster. However, this time the result is quite surprising, with the original songs being arranged often very faraway from their original form, rhythm and atmosphere, which is actually quite interesting and certainly shows a lot of potential. Bem’s vocal qualities are beyond reproach and she is supported by an excellent team of the best Polish players, like saxophonist Tomasz Szukalski, trumpeter Henryk Majewski and many others, which contributes significantly to the overall result. In retrospect the use of synthesizers, which is the dreaded trademark of the 1980s, sounds pretty dated today, but that unfortunately can’t be helped. It is certainly interesting to revisit this album to get a fresh perspective as to what can be done with Pop material in the Jazz sphere. Worth investigating!

Track listing: 1. I Will [04:31]; 2. Here, There And Everywhere [03:57]; 3. Get Back [01:56]; 4. A Hard Day's Night [03:14]; 5. Something [03:16]; 6. You're Going To Lose That Girl [03:41]; 7. Drive My Car

[03:31]; 8. The Fool On The Hill [03:03]; 9. I'll Follow The Sun [03:50]; 10. Blackbird [03:40]; 11. Here Comes The Sun [02:37]; 12. Strawberry Fields Forever [04:13]

By Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl

Ewa Bem – Be A Man (Polish Jazz Vol.65, 1981)

Ewa Bem - vocal

Henryk Majewski - leader, flugelhorn, trumpet
Henryk Miśkiewicz - clarinet, alto saxophone
Zbigniew Jaremko - tenor saxophone
Zbigniew Konopczyński - trombone
Andrzej Jagodziński - piano
Jerzy Stawarz - bass
Henryk Stefański - guitar
Tadeusz Federowski - drums
String Orchestra conducted by Zbigniew Jaremko
Zbigniew Wodecki - vocal

Be A Man (Polish Jazz Vol.65)
 

This is the 2nd album by the excellent Polish Jazz vocalist Ewa Bem, who dominated the female vocals spot in her country in the late 1970s and 1980s and is still active today. The five songs, which were included on side A of the vinyl LP are standards, which she sings in English and the six songs on side B of the vinyl LP are all originals, written especially for her, which she sings in Polish. She is accompanied by a wonderful octet, called Swing Session, led by Polish Jazz icon, trumpeter Henryk Majewski, who also wrote the wonderful arrangements. The octet members include also reedmen Henryk Miskiewicz and Zbigniew Jaremko, trombonist Zbigniew Konopczynski, guitarist Henryk Stefanski, pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski, bassist Jerzy Stwarz and drummer Tadeusz Federowski. Male vocalist Zbigniew Wodecki guests on two songs and three songs have also string arrangements. Whatever Bem misses as a virtuoso vocalist, she fully compensates by her wonderfully warm tone and exceptional musicality. Her interpretation and delivery are first-rate and she is definitely a world-class performer. Although pretty mainstream, this music is done with elegance and taste, which is why it stands the test of time wonderfully. Warmly recommended to fans of female Jazz vocals!

Track listing: 1 Medley: Them There Eyes, Love Is Here To Stay, Exactly Like You, The Days Of Wine And Roses, When The Saints Go Marching In (arr. H. Majewski) [06:26]; 2 Misty (E. Gerner - J. Burke) [04:31]; 3 The Man I Love (G. Gershwin - I. Gershwin) [03:47]; 4 Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' (R. Rodgers - O. Hammerstein II) [03:29]; 5 Grovin' High (C. Parker) [01:21]; 6 Badz mezczyzna (H. Majewski - M. Czubaszek) [02:56]; 7 Czy powie mi pan dzien dobry (Z. Jaremko - M. Wojtaszewska); Zbigniew Wodecki [03:30]; 8 Dzien dobry Mr. Blues (J. Wasowski - G. Perkun) [05:39]; 9 Wyznanie wieczorne (Z. Jaremko - K. Trębacz) [02:52]; 10 Tylko dni (Z. Jaremko - M. Czubaszek) [02:47]; 11 Rob co chcesz (H. Majewski - M. Czubaszek) [02:42]

By Adam Baruch

http://adambaruch.com/

Bemibek - Dziennik podrozy (Soundpol, 1993)

Bemibek (band)

Ewa Bem - vocal
Aleksander Bem - drums
Andrzej Ibek - piano, organ
Jerzy Bartz - drums
Paweł Dąbrowski - bass guitar
Leszek Matecki - guitar
Henryk Miśkiewicz - saxophone
Sławomir Piwowar - guitar

Dziennik podrozy (Soundpol, 1993)

Honestly speaking I am rather ill-disposed towards anything that even remotely resembles smooth jazz production. I am therefore not very unhappy that this genre so strong in the US is marginal as far as European Jazz is concerned and in Polish jazz even more. Though on Polish soil smooth jazz never indeed has taken roots too deep it does not mean that some musicians were not trying. Most of these tries as well in  past as now are easy to skip but this it is at least worthy to note that such a current is present in Polish jazz stream. This specific recording is definitely nothing groundbreaking but it is interesting from historical point of view as one of first Polish try in the territory where both pop and jazz music meet.

Bemibek was set up in 1970 by Ewa Bem (vocal) and Aleksander Bem (vocal, drums) with Andrzej Ibek (vocal, piano, organ). With addition of Tadeusz Gogosz (bass guitar) group debuted on famous Jazz Nad Odrą festival where they scooped 1st Prize, clearly a sign that critics as well as audience then were open for that kind of decently played and light-hearted muse. It is difficult for me to trace further career of this band, I am not an expert in this kind of jazz, but getting back to the music one must say that it redeems itself and may be listened to with pleasure due to awesome performance of Ewa Bem, one of the most interesting female vocalists in Polish jazz history. She is still active as much as educator being responsible for recent influx of many young, talented jazz vocalists in Poland and as an artist realeasing new albums. I hope that some of her discs, especially those more ambitious, inspired by her favourite Ella Fitzgerald, will find their way to this blog one day...

Please, listen to great bossa nova from this album:



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