I. FIELD REPORT: Avant Poland & the Free Music of "Yass" [20.01.2001] Poland has always been a hotbed for some of the best European jazz and experimental music. In around 1992, a unique scene began in Gdansk and surrounding cities. "Yass", as the scene came to be called, generally has it's philosophic roots in the Vajrayana Buddhist faith. Mainly, these musicians focus on freeing music from categorization and on blurring genre definitions. These are stunning musicians, versatile, dextrous, and often full of humor. Groups like Kury, Milosc, Maestro Trytony, Loskot, Mordy, Mazzoll & Arythmic Perfection, Pieces of Brain, Czan, and Trupy, have collectively transformed virtually every tradition of Jazz, from Swing to Free-jazz, and have mixed in punk, noise, and playful iconoclasm. Yass is only one of Poland's many Avant Garde scenes: from hard-core innovators like Wlochaty to the High Art pastiche of Tomasz Stanko, to the organic vibe of Atman, to the 'drum-n-bass' of Meoma, it is clear that Poland's Avant Garde is very alive and kicking. Hear samples of the following CDs on our website, www.tamizdat.org/rpm: Milosc & Lester Bowie Talkin' About Life and Death (BIO-5): Among the last recordings by revered jazz musician Lester Bowie... BIO = Biodro, a label which supports the exciting music of the N. Poland "yass" scene. Mazzoll, Kazik, and Arhythmic Perfection Tozmowy s Catem (MZG-1): Like a collaboration of John Zorn and Ian McKaye of Fugazi...MZG = Mozg Music, the label based in the fantastik club Mozg in Bydgoszcz Poland, run by musicians who are an active part of the scene Meoma Meoma (CPT-1): Considered by many to be the first Drum 'n' Bass release from Poland...CPT= Capt. Sparky, a waaay-cool electronic music label in Poland. Sparky represents a core of musicians and DJs who all work together to keep the Polish electro-scene so darn hot. Projekt Karpaty Magiczne Ethnocore (FLY-1): members of Atman, mixing their unique breed of acoustic ambient with loops and instruments...FLY= Fly Music, Atman's own label of music and activism for a better world. Ewabraun SeaSea (ANT-145): Dark, brooding, minimalist, post-hardcore, raw, exploratory sounds from these Northern Polish rockers...ANT= Antenna Krzyku, a highly dynamic label, distributor, and music network with a legacy of making exciting underground punk and rock music happen in Poland. AK now has an amazing magazine, write for more info: akumusic@clerk.com Mózg: 5 Lat Mózg: 5 Lat (MZG-4) A retrospective of the first five years of Mozg club performances, including Ellory Eskelin, Fred Frith, Tymon Tymanski, Mazzoll, Trytony, Sylvie Curvoisier & Tomasz Pawlicki, Zdzislaw Piernik, Jon Dobie, 4syfon, Josh Roseman, and Joey Baron.
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