(Post-Bop / Jazz in ECM style / Post Bop) [CD] Wlodek Pawlik, Zbigniew Wegehaupt, Cezary Konrad - Standards Live, vol. 1 & 2 (2CD) {Polonia Records, Poland} - 1996, APE (image+.cue), lossless

Standards are the heart of jazz. Jazzman confront them twice: first when they are at the very beginning of their journey through jazz and music, full of the anxious spirit within them. Young and angry musicians.
The second time comes when they gain an appreciation of their timelessness and respect for their authors. It is only then that they realize how unprofessional their first approach to the swinging canon was the first time they tackled it. They are richer by their experiences, concerts played, defeats and victories, failures and successes, they take to the standard like a consummate actor takes to a Shakespearean role. Standards for a jazzman are what Hamlet, King Lear or Macbeth are for a thespian. Every actor wants to tries his hand at them. He is sure that his interpretation will be the definite, historical one. However, this remains the province of old hands, those who are familiar with the classics and who, most importantly, respect them.
This album is the embodiment of artists' respect for jazz and its canon. This is an unprecedented tribute to the classics of the genre. A collection of interpretations whose every note is filled with love for jazz and an artistic humility, which is so often lacking. Performed by an arch-democratic trio of virtuosos, each of whom is fully aware of his place and role within the group. And it is recorded in a "live" setting. Only the greatest jazzman have done this to date. It is no accident that this great collection of jazz hits is performed by Wlodek Pawlik, Zbigniew Wegehaupt and Czarek Konrad.
Wlodek Pawlik
A virtuoso pianist, graduate of the Frederic Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw, a leading figure of Polish jazz. His name guarantees high artistic quality. A composer, arranger, a performer not only a creator. He played with the best, performed with the top. For his performing with such stars as Billy Hart or Randy Brecker is ordinary and at the same time a special jazz celebration. The possibility of playing with those who created this musical genre. He admits that this album is an effect of many deliberations and a conscious decision: the time has come to face the timeless in jazz. The themes the world knows interpreted by the legends. Pawlik plays his improvisations at a time when listeners are able to recreate from memory the first ones, performed by their authors, and he does it with a flourish.
You will find out yourself. The master at work.
Zbigniew Wegehaupt
He seems to have been forever a part of the swinging Polish scene. He has performed with almost all musicians who count - and not only jazzman. He is popular sideman, an all-round musician. A virtuoso. His music combines the important bass fundation and musical fantasy. You can hear the effect of his fusion on the album. Just press "play".
Czarek Konrad
The sovereign of Polish jazz drums. His position has been assured for years. His music is the product of a rare talent backed up by thousands of hours of practicing. A multi-instrumentalist, which can be heard especially in the phrasing. Konrad simply plays a melody on the drums, and proves with his sounds that dynamic doesn't have to mean loud. He also bears out the old adage that in music nothing is as important as silence. Czarek is the embodiment of drums genius, if genius can be ebodied. His potential seems to be boundless. The fact that he perfoms with the best is, perhaps, an unnecessary addition to the above description, perhaps evan a faux pas.(Piotr Iwicki, translated by Kaia Lecka)

Сначала зацепила обложка альбома, узнаваемо выполненная, как потом выяснилось и все оформление в целом, в стиле ECM. Ну и конечно название альбома фортепьянного трио Standards Live . Прямые ассоциации. К счастью, стилизация и подражание на внешнем оформлении закончились. Сравнив пару пересекающихся номеров из Джарреттовской серии с вариантами полонцев, можно сказать, что о копировании речь тут не идет. Вполне естественно, что общее настроение близкое. Стандарты они и есть стандарты. А сыгранно все очень здорово.
рип от польских коллег
сканы 300 dpi внутри