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CD Review: bogdan precz acco-lab

for daniel


Bogdan Precz, accordion, sheng
Bogdan Kisiel, bass guitar
Janusz Ziomber, drums, percussion
Jacek Krolik, guitar
Bronislaw Duzy, trombone, piano

Program:

Bogdan Precz: For Daniel
Chick Corea: Children Song #7
Josef Zawindul: Birdland
Chick Corea: Children Song #3
Chick Corea: Stretch It
Chick Corea: Children Song #15
Bogdan Precz: Bloos
Chick Corea: Children Song #4
Chick Corea: Children Song #12
Chick Corea: Children Song #5
Krzysztof Zgraja: Alex Funky
Bogdan Precz: Grafeld's Impression
Dave Brubeck: Blue Rondo a la Turk

total time: 44:24
Released in 1994

label: Accordi/Hohner Records (HR 08.099 411)
Order from: Maria Gurbindo
Azalea, 69
28100 - El Soto (Alcobendas)
Madrid
Spain

Review by Henry Doktorski:

This is Bogdan Precz's third CD and, in my opinion, it is perhaps the best. The combination of free-bass accordion, electric guitar, electric bass, drums & trombone is unique and satisfying and Bogdan Precz is a natural and gifted leader of such an ensemble. He studied accordion in the Music Conservatory of Katowice Poland where he was professor of that instrument from 1984 until 1987. Thereafter he moved to Madrid Spain. He has performed in Poland, Cuba, Venezuela, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, France, Italy and Switzerland.

From 1980 until 1987 he was a member of the Silesian Accordion Quintet, which won awards in contests which were held in St. Etienne France and Castelfidardo Italy. As a soloist he received third place in the 35th Annual World Competition (Caldas da Rainha, Portugal). He has performed with the Wroclaw and Katowice Philharmonic Orchestras of Poland.

Precz is also known as a composer and has written works for accordion (three appear on this CD), violin, bassoon, wind quintet, symphony orchestra, etc. He has recorded with the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, with the harmonicist Zygmunt Zgraja, with the Spanish National Orchestra's String Quartet and flautist, with the rock group Sai Channel and on the solo accordion CD titled Accordeon in 1992 (see The Free-Reed Review #18).

One thing I'll say for Precz: he keeps good company. All the musicians on the CD are great artists in their own right. Bronislaw Duzy won first place in the best trombonist competition of Jazz Forum magazine; guitarist Jacek Krolik has recorded seven albums with important rock, funk and jazz groups in Poland; bassist Bogdan Kisiel and drummer Janusz Ziomber are equally qualified.

This album consists of approximately 50% ensemble performances and 50% solo (and duet) accordion performances in highly contrasting sections from the gentle Chick Corea tune Children Song #7 to the driving 7/8 meter of Dave Brubeck's Blue Rondo a la Turk. Every track is great!

Besides the great music, the front and back CD cover is really cute: a naked babe -- topless (and bottomless) two-year-old Daniel Precz sitting on his father's Pigini five-row button accordion.

I recommend this CD for all lovers of contemporary jazz/rock.

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