Cezary Konrad – One Mirror… Many Reflections (2000)

Cezary Konrad

Cezary Konrad - drums
Piotr Żaczek - bass
Darek Krupa - guitar
Marek Podkowa - saxophone
Zbigniew Jakubek - keyboards
Leszek Możdżer - keyboards

One Mirror… Many Reflections


SELLES 0182

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Jazz drummer/composer Cezary Konrad, one of Poland's top drummers since many years, recorded with a core trio consisting of himself, bassist Piotr Zaczek and guitarist Darek Krupa, which is extended by additional players up to a quintet on some tracks with the addition of saxophonist Marek Podkowa and two keyboardists: Zbigniew Jakubek and Leszek Mozdzer. The album includes nine original compositions, all by Konrad.

Most of the music on this album is closely associated with Jazz-Rock Fusion, obviously influenced by the work of Allan Holdsworth and his groups. The electric fretless bass and synthesizers and of course the sound of the guitar imitate almost exactly the sound of European Fusion popular during the 1990s. The compositions are all quite interesting, with nice melodic themes and interesting harmonic approach, but overall the music is not remarkable enough to leave a deep impression, certainly not leaving a lasting impression.

The personal contributions are all quite excellent, with all the participants obviously being highly skilled musicians. There are some impressive solos and the overall level of playing is certainly satisfactory. Surprisingly the highlight of the album is the acoustic piano performance by Mozdzer on the only track, which is actually not a Fusion piece.

In retrospect, the album definitely sounded better at the time of its recording than now and does not withstand the tides of time well. This is unfortunately the fate of most Fusion albums, which proved to be mostly repetitive and derivative, with a very few exceptions.

Krystyna Stanko – Uslysz Mnie (2008)

Krystyna Stanko - vocals
Jacek Krolik - guitar
Piotr Zaczek - bass
Piotr Lemanczyk - bass
Piotr Krolik - drums

POLSKIE RADIO 1125




By Adam Baruch

This is the fourth album by Polish singer / songwriter Krystyna Stanko, which marks an end of the initial phase of her career during which she tried to establish a unique identity, both as a songwriter and a singer. All through that phase she moved between Pop, Alternative Rock and even Jazz-Rock Fusion and recorded three albums with two different groups she was part of at the time and finally recorded this, her "real" debut solo album. The album presents twelve songs, eleven of which are original creations by Stanko (lyrics and music) and the last one is a tribute to the great Polish Jazz pianist / composer / arranger Andrzej Kurylewicz, who wrote this beautiful lullaby to the words of Polish National Poet Adam Mickiewicz, which was previously magnificently performed by the great Niemen.

The album was recorded during two separate recording sessions, almost a couple of years apart. Stanko is basically accompanied by a trio: guitarist Jacek Krolik, bassists Piotr Zaczek (electric) or Piotr Lemanczyk (acoustic) and drummer Piotr Krolik with five additional musicians contributing occasionally on several tracks. In spite of this rather limited instrumental accompaniment, the overall result is beautifully coherent and sounds complete as it is. Her vocals are the focus of this album, and rightly so, as her vocal abilities, her intelligent treatment of the lyrics and her emotional range are all of star quality, in evidence of her coming of age as an artist and a vocalist.

But the most amazing thing about this album is of course the quality of the original songs, all of which are excellently crafted musically and adorned by meaningful, sometimes witty and always sincere lyrics, which are extremely rare these days. Stanko doesn't hold back and dares to touch on painful subjects and deeply personal feelings about human relationships and even political / social issues, reminiscent of the protest songs of the 1960s. In complete contrast to the brainless lyrics the showbiz and media use to brainwash the human race, these songs really have something to say.

In retrospect one might lament the fact that Stanko did not (yet) repeat this format, i.e. writing lyrics and music herself, in her next albums, hoping that this will be remedied soon. Her decision to move into the Jazz & Poetry realm is now completely understandable of course. This album lost nothing of its charm and freshness over time. It's probably less perfect than her later recordings, but who cares; this is a beautiful collection of superb songs, which should make any listener happy. Grab it before it disappears forever!

Krzysztof Fetras Trio - Night in Praha Live (2005)

Krzysztof Fetras - guitar & guitar synthesizer, composer 

Piotr Żaczek - fretless bass guitar
Grzegorz Grzyb - drums

Night in Praha Live (2005)

I wrote more about Krzysztof Fetras music when describing his debut recording 'Caravan'. This is his third album which brings much more mature music. Located firmly in mainstream jazz it brings sense of equilibrium, internal coherency, almost therapeutic effect. Unfortunately after recording this CD Krzysztof Fetras has had a break in his career lasting few years. Fortunately lately he announced his first new album in more than 6 years for Spring this 2012 year. I am waiting impatiently to see what it will bring to us. In a meantime please enjoy sounds from his last recording...  

Track listing:  1. Krzysztof FetrasFew Warm Notes 00:58; 2. Krzysztof Fetras Treaty of Joy 08:45; 3. Krzysztof Fetras We Are Together Today 07:47; 4. Krzysztof Fetras Mr. Kaz 15:38; 5. Krzysztof Fetras Night in Praha 08:26; 6. Krzysztof Fetras Don’t Go Away Now 11:51

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

Piotr Zaczek - Balboo (Borzym Music, 2011)

Piotr Żaczek - electric bass guitar

Adam Bałdych - electric violin
Maciej „Kocin” Kociński - saxophone
Marcin „Mały” Górny - synths &samplers
Grzegorz „Jabco Jabloński” - keyboard, piano
Robert Luty - drums

Guests:
David Fuze Fiuczyński - guitar
Leszek Możdżer - piano
Jahiar Azim Irani - vocal, santur

Grzegorz Piotrowski - duduk

Balboo (Borzym Music, 2011)

(Editor) This album really surprised me positively! Close to fusion or jazz-rock stylistics as impersonated by such great bass guitarist like Marcus Miller it goes further because in its language are gracefully incorporated free jazz influences. Retaining its communicative and dance-like character this is simply good piece of entertainment. Please read review posted on Piotr Żaczek webpage. I do it rarely but in this case I agree with every word of it. 

This is one of the most awesome CDs I have reviewed in a long time. Piotr Zaczek is a Polish bass player. With a few bass guitars and fellow musicians, armed with a huge collection of samplers and sound effects, he creates music that is both breath-taking and totally eccentric, yet never fails to maintain an infectious catchiness.

Zaczek creates his unique mix using Eastern European and Middle Eastern instruments and vocals. He will sustain a harp sample or bass riff all the way through a track while the different beat patterns and sheets of sound keep rolling on underneath. This is how Zaczek makes you go from one surprise to the next: with a mix of rap samples, snippets of jazz wafting by, unstoppable thundering beats, and extraterrestrial soundscapes. And on occasion, all that with some ten bass guitars playing at the same time.

Check sample of music from this album:

Adam Baldych / Damage Control - Magical Theatre (2011)

Adam Bałdych Damage Control

Adam Bałdych - violin

Josh Lawrence - trumpet

Paweł Tomaszewski - piano

Andrzej Gondek - guitar

Piotr Żaczek - bass

Jakub Cywiński - double bass

Michał Bryndal - drums

Adam Sak - guitar

In-depth review by Adam Baruch, a critic and owner of fine music boutique (https://www.jazzis.com/shop/): 

The violin holds a very special position in the history of modern Polish Jazz, and except for France, no other European country can pride itself in such splendid heritage as far as the use of violin in Jazz is concerned.

The first generation of modern Polish Jazz musicians includes three distinguished Jazz violinists: Michał Urbaniak (born 1943), Zbigniew Seifert (born 1946) and Krzesimir Dębski (born 1953). Each of these virtuosi and exceptional composers made his mark not only on Polish Jazz, but also on European Jazz and World Jazz scenes. Of course each of these three musicians offered a unique and very individual approach to violin, all being innovators and pioneers: Urbaniak contributed greatly to the development of Jazz-Fusion and Jazz-Funk, Seifert to modern and Free Jazz and Dębski to the amalgam of Jazz and contemporary Classical music.

Adam Bałdych (born 1986) is of course a member of a different generation; one might even say a child of a very different era. His predecessors lived and created under the Socialist regime, which of course was far from enabling the freedom of expression and the opportunities to study and develop musical talents, and their life was a story of constant struggle with reality. Bałdych grew up in a "new" Poland, liberated, democratic and full of opportunities. That does not mean, of curse, that his life and his path to success was an easy one.

Considered a child prodigy, Bałdych started his performing and then composing careers very early on, which explains his extremely impressive biography at the age of 25. The list of awards, notable performances, composing credits and recordings could easily satisfy a musician twice his age or more.

And yet Bałdych considers this album a pivotal point of his career and although not his recording debut, this is certainly a new begging, hopefully of an international career. Recorded with his band called Damage Control, "Magical Theatre" is certainly an album, which should expose him to the worldwide audiences.

Bałdych composed six of the eight compositions present here and co-composed one more, with the last being composed by the band's keyboardist. The band includes gifted young players, who provide him with excellent support and execute his complex compositions with grace and panache. Full of youthful spirit and energy, the album flows beautifully from one track to the next, changing moods and atmospheres, but always remaining fascinating. There are no dull moments here, no boring parts and no fillers – just one continuous flow of entrancing music, which keeps the listener captivated.

Of course regardless of how good the performers might be, the primary strength of this album lies in the music contained herein. Bałdych's compositions are simply spot on and his unique ability to amalgamate the Jazz tradition, the Polish romanticism and the contemporary sound techniques works perfectly. An experienced listener will be able to discover many delicate musical hints and references in this music, especially in Bałdych's solos, but surely anybody able of enjoying good music will find here starlight qualities. I'm sure that Michał, Zbigniew and Krzesimir would be proud of the continuator of their splendid heritage.

What remains is to hope that as many music connoisseurs as possible will eventually discover this gem and hold it dear to their hearts. I certainly hope it does happen, big time, as it is well deserved!

PS. Album is available for purchase here: CDBaby.

Music from this album - tune titled "Room Of Imagination":

Author of text: Adam Baruch (http://www.adambaruch.com/)