Record Reviews

ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ IMPRESSIONS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist and pianist Patryk CzyzewskiFind albums by this artist appear as guests on selected tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Alexandra Kutrzepa. The music offers a series of contemporary Polish Jazz compositions, full of lyricism, melancholy and even romanticism, all developing slowly and based on solid melodic themes. Stylistically the music displays a strong touch of Fusion, especially when the guitar is featured up front, but also due to the unique sound and manner of playing the violin that Kutrzepa utilizes, which has strong ties with the French Fusion violin school (Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist / Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist) rather than with the Polish Jazz violin school (Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist / Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist). As already mentioned above, Kutrzepa manages to achieve a unique and very personal violin sound and mannerism, which is quite different from the numerous other young generation Polish Jazz violin players, and which is quite remarkable by itself. She is very aloof, minimalist and reserved creating incredible tension and anticipation, which is extremely effective. The rest of the players on the album are all highly professional and talented. Garczynski serves as a contrast to Kutrzepa´s laid-back phrasing with his energetic and expressive solos, like a musical cold-hot or yin-yang seesaw. The rhythm section supports the soloists amicably and displays inventive and fully responsible ensemble playing, always solid and reliable. The guests add spice and panache to the proceedings, as expected, with Gadt taking the music slightly towards more imaginary ground on the last track with her beautiful vocal contributions. Personally this is my favorite piece on the album and perhaps points towards the direction the music might take in the future. Overall this is an excellent debut offering, obviously well planned and rehearsed, original and ambitious, and most importantly offering elements previously unheard and exploring uncharted territory, which after all happens quite rarely. For lovers of intelligent Fusion this album is a true gem and should not be missed, and judging by the potential it displays, Kutrzepa is definitely a Lady to keep a close watch on, both as a composer and a player, which I definitely intend to do in the future, wishing her all the best on the way.

Updated: 18/12/2018Posted: 18/12/2018

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ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ MERMAID NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the second album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist recorded by the same quartet as the one that recorded the debut "ImpressionsFind albums with this title" a year earlier: guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist and pianist Milosz BazarnikFind albums by this artist appear as guests. The album presents seven original compositions, six by Aleksandra Kutrzepa and one by Robert Kutrzepa. This album is stylistically very similar to its predecessor and everything I wrote about the debut applies also here, so I won´t repeat myself (just click on the link above). The music is a fine example of intelligent Fusion featuring beautiful lyrical compositions, unique violin style and elegant execution, which offers an excellent listening experience, accessible to a wide range of listeners who like anything between mainstream Jazz, Fusion and even Progressive Rock. Some excursions into more Free territory on the tracks with Gadt (sensational as always) and Bazarnik on board are hopefully pointers as to what Kutrzepa should pursue in the future and their presence upgrade this album considerably. This album cements Kutrzepa´s status as a promising composer and original violinist, which definitely deserves being followed, but she will need to update her formula on future recordings in order to avoid a pattern, which will became stale if repeated to often. Overall this is an excellent album by all means, which intelligent Fusion and violin aficionados will love to bits, and which also offers highly aesthetic and ambitious vistas pointing (perhaps) to the future endeavors. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 14/12/2019Posted: 14/12/2019

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ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ NO ONE KNOWS WHERE… NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the third album by Polish Jazz violinist / vocalist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist and her quartet, with guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist guest on one track and saxophonist / bass clarinetist Mikolaj TrzaskaFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. This album offers a significant departure from the formula dominating the first two albums, and almost completely leaves the melodic / lyrical tendencies and Jazz-Rock Fusion stylistic in favor of almost completely Avant-Garde / Free Improvised music, which of course is a welcomed development testifying as to the need of searching for new paths. The choice of the two guest musicians complies with this new direction, as both are associated with the Polish Jazz Avant-Garde scene. Kutrzepa also expands her role in the music making by using her vocals extensively, in addition to her violin playing, which obviously shows new aspects of her musical personality. Her vocalese, which is used more as a background rather than main feature of the music, but adds a most appropriate element to the result and works our splendidly. The soloing is now mostly performed by the leader and the guests, with the guitar playing a more restricted role on this album in comparison to the earlier work, and remains a clear link to the past, still sounding rather Fusion like. The rhythm section follows the new direction without a hitch, but tends to remain somewhat subdued, which altogether serves the new ambience rather well. Overall this is an excellent and fascinating album, which proves Kutrzepa is here to stay and slowly structures her individual voice and position on the local scene. Due to the fact that her approach to violin is completely different from the traditional Polish Jazz violin school, her work deserves to be noticed and surely watched in the years to come. Perhaps not the easiest album to listen to, it is definitely an eye (ear) opener. Well done!

Updated: 24/12/2022Posted: 23/08/2021

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ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ PUSTO NOC NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz violinist / vocalist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist, recorded with her quartet, which also includes guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist and two female vocalists appear as guests. The album presents seven original compositions, all by the leader. The album continues Kutrzepa’s development towards the Avant-Garde facet of the young Polish Jazz scene, this time also adding a Jazz-World Fusion accent, since the album was recorded during field research in the Kashubia region, the music of which seems to be a strong source of inspiration to many Polish Jazz musicians. The theme is a bit somber, as it reflects Kashubian traditional lamentations sung during a wake in honor of the deceased. The traditional melodies are sung briefly by the vocalists and then expanded into lengthy improvisations by Kutrzepa and Damasiewicz, who fits this musical environment like a proverbial glove, since his current work is also concentrated around World music, field research, etc. The rest of the quartet provide another facet of the music, with Garczynski’s excellent guitar work adding a scorching Fusiony tinge and the rhythm section balancing skillfully between the more rhythmic and the Free / open environments. All the musicians offer a splendid instrumental work, which continuously keeps the listener on the edge. Kutrzepa’s development as a violinist is no less than astounding and is by now unmatched on the more open side of the local scene. The presence of Damasiewicz on this album is a stupendous idea, which catalyzes effects never previously present on Kutrzepa’s earlier albums. He is not “stealing” the show, but pushes her to make another step towards highly intensive improvised crescendos, which are breathtaking. Perhaps a duo album would be a good idea? Overall, this is a wonderful, highly atmospheric and reflective piece of music, which requires attentive listening and open-mindedness, but pays back abundantly to the dedicated listener. The music will probably penetrate as deeply as it deserves only on consecutive listening session, but the patience is definitely worth the effort. This is definitely one of the most impressive Polish Jazz albums of 2022 - highly recommended and kudos to you, My Lady, for doing your own thing, which is rarely the easiest solution. Hats off!

Updated: 24/12/2022Posted: 24/12/2022

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