Recorded in London in 1964, this remarkable set by Polish altoist Zbigniew Namyslowski and his quartet stands as one of the great cross-cultural jazz milestones of the 20th century. Cut at Decca Studio No. 3 with producer Mike Vernon and engineer Vic Smith, it was the first Polish jazz album made outside the Iron Curtain - a fact that only heightens its sense of daring. Across seven originals and a striking rework of 'Ol' Man River', the group weave highland folk motifs into modern jazz with instinctive ease, balancing lyricism and rhythmic bite. Lola still feels singular today: a vivid reminder that jazz's global language was being spoken, fluently, far beyond America's borders.
Alto Saxophone – Zbigniew Namysłowski
Bass – Tadeusz Wójcik
Drums – Czesław Bartkowski
Piano – Wlodek Gulgowski
Producer – Mike Vernon
Recorded By – Vic Smith
Sleeve Notes – Tony Higgins