Tomasz Stańko - Balladyna (1976)

As per last week's post, Tomasz Stańko's TWET lineup was mostly retained for his first appearance on ECM, with only Peter Warren switched out for Dave Holland.  And it's the legendary bassist who sparks this album into life, with the propulsive riff that kicks off the aptly named First Song.  Stańko and Szukalski are united on a catchy theme, before going off on some incendiary solos.

The more atmospheric Tale follows, giving Edward Vesala his first feature on his signature range of percussion.  Then there's a Vesala composition, Num - it's a bit more spidery and exploratory as per the darker-hued material on TWET, but never fully loses sight of the great melodic theme that it sets out.  The album's first side concludes with a brief duet between Stańko and Holland.

Side Two comprises three tracks, all composed by Stańko.  The title track is the kind of solemn dirge that would become Stańko's stock in trade when he returned to ECM almost two decades later.  Last Song is more free and firey again - but it's not the actual last song: that's the closing Nenaliina, another great atmospheric feature for Vesala to star in.

Original LP cover

link

pw: sgtg

Previously posted at SGTG:
Jazzmessage From Poland
Purple Sun

TWET
Freelectronic in Montreux
Bluish
Bosonossa And Other Ballads
Matka Joanna 

Wolność W Sierpniu - Freedom In August
Dark Eyes
Wisława
Polin