Search - Tomasz Stanko :: Matka Joanna

Some of the Darkest, Loneliest Jazz you'll ever hear

Raymond E. Andre | San José, CA United States | 01/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everything that I stated in my review of Stanko's "Leosia" album, applies even more to this album. I really want to see the movie that inspired this music, but is almost impossible to find a copy in the U.S. My review of "Leosia" now follows, but, as I stated above, it also applies to "Matka Joanna":If you like the sparse loneliness of "Solea" on Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain", you at least have a kindred spirit in this album. The overall effect of listening to this CD is much like looking at the light of stars on a brutally cold winter's night: the light is beautiful, but such beauty comes at a price: your emotions are hijacked by the sheer power and persuasiveness of the object of your gaze. I am, admittedly, only familiar with Jazz in a general sense, and only value those compositions and performances which directly affect me with their strong impressions, regardless of any of their other merits or faults. 'Leosia' reminds me of much of the music from a very far-removed genre, more familiar to those who enjoy the Dark Atmospheric releases from Sweden's Cold Meat Industry label, or almost anything by [Brian] Lustmord: very aptly termed "Isolationist" (not a derogatory term, by any means). 'Leosia' is the standard by which future "Isolationist Jazz" will be measured. A powerful and compelling album, as much from its restraint and subtlety, as from it's force and intent."