Matka Joanna From The Angels

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.

Several years ago, I picked up one of this decade's Tomasz Stanko releases just out of curiosity after he was rather forcefully recommended on the basis of other CDs I have purchased. I liked the one I initially bought and have since bought several more including a couple of his earlier works. Well, my experience with Stanko's music has been hit and miss and I'm sorry to say that Matka Joanna is not what I hoped for.
Not being an expert in this type of jazz, I am not even really sure of the musical terminology that would apply here. Let it suffice to say that this CD doesn't "speak" to me. I'm not saying its terrible music, I just don't find the disjointed and often cacophonous arrangement of random notes very inspiring. If the music was as attractive as the booklet that accompanies the CD, it would be a real winner.
The best cut here by far is Maldoror's War Song. Its memorable enough to keep Matka Joanna from being a crashing bore. There are other tunes that initially sound promising but which soon drift off to something completely unrelated. That's a real disappointment.
Stanko's a good trumpet man and I won't give up on him because I've heard him do better. If you have come to the music of Tomasz Stanko on the strength of some of his contemporary CDs, beware of the older ones. This is the second "older" Stanko I've acquired, and the second time I've come away rather disappointed.