Krzysztof Herdzin - The Book Of Secrets (Polish Jazz Vol.84) (2019)

Krzysztof Herdzin

Krzysztof Herdzin - piano
Rick Margitza - tenor saxophone
Robert Kubiszyn - bass
Cezary Konrad - drums
Przemysław Florczak - Bb clarinet
Łukasz Poprawski - Bb clarinet
Marcin Kajper - Bb clarinet
Mariusz Mielczarek - alto clarinet
Wiesław Wysocki - bass clarinet


The Book Of Secrets (Polish Jazz Vol.84)

WARNER MUSIC POLAND 190295370787

By Adam Baruch

This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz keyboardist/composer Krzysztof Herdzin recorded in a quartet setting with American saxophonist Rick Margitza, and Polish rhythm section: bassist Robert Kubiszyn and drummer Cezary Konrad and a rather atypical clarinet quintet adding an orchestral dimension to the proceedings. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Herdzin, which according to him: "make up a closed narrative" or "a concept album".

Followers of the Polish music scene are certainly familiar with Herdzin's gigantic legacy amassed during his professional career since the mid-1990s, which includes twenty (this one included) albums as a leader, dozens albums as a sideman, numerous compositions in diverse genres, including Jazz, Pop and Classical Music, arranging, conducting, producing, playing a myriad instruments and a plethora of other accomplishments – for more details just read his biography on his website or his Polish Wiki entry – all this before reaching his 50^th Birthday.

There is no doubt that Herdzin's biography is extremely impressive, or rather extreme in every sense, almost superhuman. Herdzin is an unusually talented and gifted musician, but personally I have always found his activities somewhat unfocused, lacking certain depth beneath all that glitter. His music and his playing are always "nice", polished, pleasant and nearly "perfect", but at the same time he seams to tease the listener boasting his aptitudes and most of all taking it (or himself) way to seriously.

This album is a perfect example of Herdzin's music in every sense. It is full of brilliant ideas, beautiful music, melancholy and lyricism, gleaming performances and everything that makes a listener schvitz. And yet once the music is over, the question "what was all that about?" arises almost instantly. And yes, the music is instant gratification incarnate: smooth, easy to swallow and scintillating, like a glass of champagne.

With all the confusion these days about what is Jazz and what isn't, I'd say that this album offers entertaining instrumental music amalgamating Pop with Jazz and Classical Music ornamentations, which is accessible to a wide audience. As to its lasting value, time will tell. I wish Herdzin for his upcoming Birthday another fifty years (and a Jewish 20% bonus) of health and productivity, and even if I don't always appreciate his music I do appreciate his Sisyphean effort. May the Force be with you!

Side Note

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The iconic "Polish Jazz" series of recordings, originally released between 1965 and 1989 by the Polish state owned record company Polskie Nagrania, which used the Muza label as its moniker, consists of seventy six LP albums. It presents the history of Polish Jazz recordings during that period, which includes some of the most important Polish / European modern Jazz milestones and reflects the extraordinary development of Jazz music behind the Iron Curtain. It is one of the most important historic documents of Polish Music and of course Polish Culture in general. 

The series had an eminent logo designed by Roslaw Szaybo and the albums were numbered sequentially from Vol.1 to Vol.76 accordingly. The album's artwork was wonderfully stylish and modernist, featuring the brilliant photographs and characteristic design by the legendary Polish Artist Marek Karewicz. 

Stylistically the series presented all Jazz genres, from Traditional Jazz to Avant-Garde/Free Jazz, which was extraordinarily liberal considering the cultural censorship imposed by the Socialist Regime. It suffered from some inconsistency, as far as the musical quality and aesthetics were concerned, as well as the internal "politics" of the Polish Jazz scene at the time, but in retrospect it achieved a spectacular overall result, unparalleled as far as consistently documenting a national Jazz scene is concerned. 

After the Polskie Nagrania catalogue was bought by Warner Music Poland, the new owner started a reissue process of the Polish Jazz series, carefully remastered, repackaged and including extensive liner notes, which keeps the artwork as close to the original design as possible. So far forty two volumes of the original series were reissued. 

In 2016 Warner Music Poland decided to continue the original series by releasing new contemporary Polish Jazz recordings under the same format and even to continue the sequential numbering starting with Vol.77 – a decision I personally consider almost sacrilegious. Some things are simply untouchable, and the "Polish Jazz" series is surely one of those things. If Warner Music Poland wants to produce Jazz albums, which is always more than welcome, they could have started a new series, under a new title, rather than exploiting the reputation of the historic series. 

As a result, some artist whose albums are released as part of the new series might be led to expect instant gratification, fame and stardom, just for being an artificial part of a prestigious past, which of course is as bogus as it is said.

Pendofsky – Pendofsky (2014)

Pendofsky

Marcin Kajper - saxophone
Przemysław Kostrzewa - trumpet
Krzysztof Kawałko - guitar
Marcin Cichocki - keyboards
Marcin Pendowski - bass
Tomasz Wałdowski - drums

Pendofsky


PRIVATE EDITION

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album as a leader by the Polish bassist/composer Marcin Pendowski, who started his career as a rock musician (as a member of the band Artrosis), but later on cooperated with many Polish Jazz musicians as well. On this album he presents ten original compositions recorded with a core group of musicians, which includes guitarist Krzysztof Kawałko, saxophonist Marcin Kajper, trumpeter Przemysław Kostrzewa, keyboardist Marcin Cichocki, drummer Tomasz Wałdowski and several guest artists. On the album Pendowski plays on two old electric basses manufactured in Czechoslovakia (Jolana Diamant) and Poland (Defil Mamba) during the Socialist regime, which have a very specific ambience.

The music is a great mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion, Funk, Soul, Grove and superb retro / vintage sounding pieces, which are almost never played these days by anybody. The arrangements and instrumentation, including the Hammond organ and the in-sync unisono brass section, the airy guitars and the fantastic bass sound are simply irresistible. Of course the best part is the fact that although this is truly enjoyable music, it is also of the highest quality, with great melodies, riffs and interesting arrangements, supported by virtuosic instrumental work.

This music could be an ideal partner for a long car drive, a club setting or a groovy party with your friends, and it would fit all these diverse surroundings perfectly. I must admit that it was quite a while since I enjoyed myself that much listening to an album. Hopefully this won't be a one off, as that would be a true shame. We need more honest and fun music like this in this world full of phony pretentious garbage.

I wholeheartedly recommend this album to people who really love music and are able to enjoy it in full, without inhibitions. For bass aficionados this is a must of course. Very well done Sir, chapeau!

Naxos – The Trip Around The Brain (2014)

Naxos

Milo Kurtis - clarinet
Konstanty Joriadis - keyboards
Apostolis Anthimos - guitar
Rasm Al-Mashan - vocals
Adib Chamun - percussion
Marcin Kajper - saxophones
Marcin Pendowski - bass

The Trip Around The Brain


WARNER MUSIC POLAND 825646292103

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by the Polish ensemble Naxos, led by the celebrated musician/personality Milo Kurtis, one of the pioneers of World Music and World-Jazz Fusion in Poland, who was a member of the legendary ensemble Ossian in the 1970s and many other groups over the years. It was delightful to meet Milo in person just a few weeks ago in Warsaw and talk about the old times and the future, which for him is always full of bright things. I remember him taking part in my production of "The Book Of Job" in 1985, under insane circumstances, and his worm personality didn't change one iota over the years, which is truly remarkable

Kurtis is one of several Polish musicians of Greek origin, same as guitarist Apostolis Anthimos of SBB fame, who also participates in this recording. Other members of the ensemble include keyboardist Konstanty Joriadis (also of Greek origin), female vocalist Rasm Al-Mashan (of Yemenite origin), percussionist Adib Chamun, saxophonist Marcin Kajper and bassist Marcin Pendowski. Several guest musicians participate on selected tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, most of which are credited to Kurtis and Joriadis, either separately or as co-composers.

The music has a distinctive Mediterranean flavor, mixing Greek and Middle Eastern influences, rhythms and melodies into a lively and fascinating amalgam of cultures. On the Polish scene that kind of music is definitely quite unusual and exotic, but where I live this is basically a part of our everyday milieu and this kind of music can be heard all day long on the radio or on stage in music venues, big and small. This kind of synthesis has been the most distinctive characteristic of Israeli music over the last few decades, and it's really heartwarming to hear it happening in Poland as well. Kurtis is doing his pioneering work again, and deserves to be encouraged and praised for it, especially in view of the impressive outcome, not to mention the popularization the idea that diverse cultures can work together for a common goal, as much aesthetic as practical.

This music has no boundaries and should appeal to every open-minded fun loving person on this globe. The streets of Athens, or Beirut or Tel-Aviv swarm with fun loving people and their music reflects their love of life and the ability to live life in full, if only allowed to do so. This album could be a perfect soundtrack of that desire to simply enjoy life. Of course a glass of ouzo, arak or raki (preferably all three) definitely makes listening to this music even more enjoyable. So ευχαριστώ πολύ, my dear friend, I am looking forward to many more such great musical gifts in the future.

Switch On Quintet – Our Car Will Never Stop (2010) ****

Maciej Fortuna - trumpet
Marcin Kajper - saxophone
Jakub Kujawa - guitar
Michal Rybka - bass
Bogumil Romanowski - drums

FM 003





By Adam Baruch

This is an excellent debut album by Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion Switch On Quintet which comprises of young musicians making their early stepson the local scene: trumpeter Maciej Fortuna, saxophonist Marcin Kajper, guitarist Jakub Kujawa, bassist Michal Rybka and drummer Bogumil Romanowski. They perform eleven original compositions, four by Romanowski, three by Fortuna, three by Kajper / Kujawa and the remaining one by Kajper. Keyboardist Michal Szlempo guests on selected tracks.

The music is a superb fresh approach to Fusion, which balances the Jazzy sound and feel of the brass with the Rocky sound and feel of the electric guitar, which although reminiscent of the legendary Chicago, is completely up to date and kicks ass like mad. To be perfectly honest I haven't heard such great Fusion in a very long time and this album is real treat. What a pity it remains almost completely obscure. These young Polish cats could teach a thing or two to all those wannabe American Fusion players, who constantly flood the marked with Fusion garbage.

As usual on the Polish scene the level of virtuosity displayed by the musicians is astounding, especially in view of their age. Fortuna's fiery solos soar through the air with incredible intensity, Kujawa's distorted guitar rips the air and its Bluesy undertones break your heart and Kajper's saxophone (especially the soprano) twist and turn like a snake on acid. The rhythm section kicks exactly when and where needed, keeping the ride right on time and your feet tapping uncontrollably.

Honestly this is one of the best Fusion albums I've heard in a long time and an absolute joyous musical ride, highly recommended to all Fusion heads out there. Fortuna, who since recording this album produces already a plethora of superb Jazz and other music, shows here his incredible versatility and I hope he'll return to play his chops in a Fusion environment again. Not to be missed!

Switch On Quintet - Our Car Will Never Stop (2010)

Switch On Quintet

Maciej Fortuna – trąbka, fluegelhorn
Marcin Kajper – saksofony
Jakub Kujawa – gitary
Michał Rybka – gitara basowa
Bogumił Romanowski – perkusja

Our Car Will Never Stop (2010)

Maciej Fortuna is one of these young musicians which has made recent years on Polish jazz so exciting. In a very short time he recorded such great albums as mainstream "Lost Keys" (2010) and "Solar Ring" (2012) or experimental "1" (2012). Highly acclaimed by critics and beginning to be recognized by local audience he quickly has become a force to be reckoned with in our music.

This album shortly pre-dates "Lost Keys" and may be seen as kind of test made before album. Music is well played and tunes are diversified but Fortuna yet stays a bit withdrawn, not enough self-assured to step fully forward as a leader. It is obvious that through recordings like this one he gathered strenght for this big leap forward he made just few months later. In fact the music on this disc sounds as if he had just started to bounce and occasionally fly away... For such moments it is really worthy to listen to this album.

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



Track listing:
1 Remember The Dog
2 Parap
3 4KT
4 Mr Mijagi
5 Don't Scare The Butterfly
6 Reunite
7 About Missing
8 Our Car Will Never Stop
9 Lost In Saigon
10 Locker One
11 Night

Filip Wojciechowski - Moments (Licomp, 2011)

Filip Wojciechowski - piano 

Gary Guthman - trumpet, flugerhorn

Marcin Kajper - tenor sax, sopran sax
Paweł Pańta - doublebass, electric bass
Cezary Konrad - drums
Oskar Wojciechowski - acoustic guitar

Polish Philharmonic Sinfonia Baltica in Słupsk
Bohdan Jarmołowicz - conductor 

Moments (Licomp, 2011)

One of my friends Adam Domagała (check his interesting blog Z dżezem lżej) has recently told me that as far as smooth jazz is concerned, its quality rests mainly in how attractive are melodies. If to appraise this disc by such a measure it is rather unconvincing. This feeling of disappointment is increased by simplified, predictable and so-many-times-played arrangements. One must feel astonished indeed why so well educated and gifted musicians decided to play so schematic notes?! No freedom, no spontaineity, no innovation. Sure it is technically decent but jazz is not classical music! In fact the idea of jazz goes quite opposite!!! Jazz is all about searching for what is unexpected, surprise, spontaneous. Few such moments if any may be found in this music.  If however, like Wynton Marsalis or his likes, you treat jazz as new classical music in which success should be measured by fidelity of copy of music of masters (Davis, Coltrane, Evans etc.) of the past, well, then it is possible that you will have quite opposite opinion to mine!!! You will be enthusiastic about musicians' technical proficiency, their discipline in playing notes distinctively and so so smooth. You may even come to conclusion that this music is beautiful as many find women after many cosmetic surgeries correcting face, breasts, legs etc. very attractive. But I cannot... sorry...

Check sample of music from this album to draw your own conclusions:

Author: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html