Record Reviews

ESKAUBEI & TOMEK NOWAK QUARTET ~ SWEET SPOT FPJ 56A-19-01 (Barcode: 5907558261905) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rap Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the third album by Polish Rap and Jazz ensemble which finds rapper Bartlomiej SkubiszFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. EskaubeiFind albums by this artist) combining forces with a Jazz quartet led by trumpeter Tomek NowakFind albums by this artist, which also includes keyboardist Kuba PluzekFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Maksymilian OlszewskiFind albums by this artist. DJ Wojciech DlugoszFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mr. KrimeFind albums by this artist), saxophonist Bartlomiej PrucnalFind albums by this artist, vocalist Aleksandra TockaFind albums by this artist and a few additional vocalists also take part in the proceedings. The album present thirteen original compositions, nine of which were composed by Nowak, one by Pluzek and three are collective instrumental improvisations. Skubisz wrote all the lyrics except two which he co-wrote with other people. The album repeats the same basic concept that was used on the two previous albums, which sets the lyrics written by Skubisz against Jazz tunes, which serve at times as background / accompaniment to the lyrics but also take the front stage when Nowak or Pluzek play solo parts. After five years of working together the Jazz-Rap Fusion is brought to perfection and seems as natural as any other cross-genre exploration and combined with the wonderful musicianship by the participants it offers its own aesthetic ambience, rather than a random opportunistic conglomerate of styles. Skubisz manages to express his views, often very controversial, critical and bitter, with clarity and coherence, using well developed language and eschewing vulgarism and simplistic shortcuts. Although the resulting Rap is somewhat "soft" in comparison to the usual hardcore roughness that characterizes the genre, his messages are my no means less striking, penetrating of evocative. Of course his target public is probably quite different from the typical Rap followers, especially when combined with Jazz, but his consistent activity definitely managed to create a strong following over time. Overall this is another solid release by this ensemble, which maintains the same level of execution and musical ingenuity. The only point worth consideration for future releases might be the very close similarity of the three albums released so far, which perhaps should be refreshed / reconsidered in forthcoming projects.

Updated: 19/06/2019Posted: 19/06/2019

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