FUSION

4.5 stars. Michal Urbaniak is the greatest violinist that I have ever heard. I know that's a subjective statement, but this is a man who was a child prodigy. He also switched to the sax at some point, and became an international award winner with that instrument as well. So talented. And I am so grateful he was drawn to Jazz. Those Jazz Fusion albums he released in the seventies are just incredible.

It's interesting that Michal is from Poland, and he had this strong desire to move to America, and he loved American jazz. His dreams would come true in 1974, moving to the USA and even being signed to Colombia Records, which was huge for him. It was so rare that Colombia would sign European acts, but you should hear Michal and his band! Colombia decided to re-issue Urbaniak's second studio album from the year before('73) called "Super Constellation". He had released four studio albums from Poland, but that was the one they felt was his best.

They also decided that to declare ownership, sort to speak, they added a track called "Fusion" and called the album "Fusion". So this is the American release of "Super Constellation", and that "Fusion" track was performed by unnamed American Jazz musicians. I'm not sure why all the secrecy as to who played on that song. I feel that maybe it was some of the musicians who would be involved in Urbaniak's next studio album from 1975 called "Fusion III". His band was still in Poland, so "Fusion III" was starting over in America with a new band.

I'm not sure why Urbaniak isn't more known. Or why his albums aren't mentioned way more when talking about Jazz Fusion. The one surprising thing to me is that there is no bass on "Super Constellation", especially when he had a bass player on the other recordings he had released before and after that one. So that "Fusion" track does stand out as we get some upfront bass on that one which is nice, but also guitar which isn't on the main album. I wish that they had at least shown the instruments in play on the "Fusion" track.

So not counting that extra track, the music here is led by violin, drums, female wordless vocals and dual keyboards. And they all sound so awesome! The drummer is my favourite musician on here. Just a beast. The drums were recorded perfectly and this guy can't stop. So incredibly talented. I know Steve Gadd would be the drummer on "Fusion III" and he's great, but he's also a step down from Czeslaw Bartkowski in my opinion. Of course the violin playing is off the charts, but Urszula's wordless vocals simply make this album special. She is such a talent. Then the two keyboardists adding their talents. At one point both are playing electric piano which is so cool.

Every track but one makes me gush. That would be the 3 1/2 minute "Impromptu" which is good, but too laid back for my tastes, almost ballad-like. The rest is gravy. I'm looking forward to re-acquainting myself with "Fusion III" soon, with Americian musicians like John Abercrombie, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson and also Larry Coryell. It will be interesting to compare it to Urbaniak's Polish band and sound. Curious. "Fusion" is a must for jazz Fusion fans out there.

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