COMPOSERS: Jan Kopinski
LABELS: 33 Records
PERFORMER: Jan Kopinski's Reflektor: Jan Kopinski (sax), Steve Iliffe (pno), Janina Kopinska (vla), Stefan Kopinski (bass), Patrick Illingworth (drums)
CATALOGUE NO: 33 Records JSLCD005
Mirrors, a multimedia project several years in the making, incorporates films and videos that Jan Kopinski has taken in Poland over two decades. His style long ago absorbed echoes of free-jazz giants like Coltrane and the early work of Penderecki, but while Mirrors was evolving he became fascinated by Szymanowski. Listeners who only know him from his band Pinski Zoo (PZ) may be surprised by the gentle, folk-inflected nature of several tracks, but those familiar with his score for Earth, will feel at home.
The elastic-sized Reflektor often operates as a sax and keyboards duo to accompany silent films. Here we get one of its largest manifestations, producing some fascinating textures. Intricate, atmospheric material for voice, viola and Kopinski’s poignant yet declamatory and passionate reeds often predominate, but there are enough tight, funky ensembles and free-spooling jazz to keep PZ fans happy too. Highly recommended. Barry Witherden