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  | FIJALKOWSKI PROJECT ~ FIJALKOWSKI PROJECT
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is the second album by the Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Lukasz FijalkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded under the Fijalkowski ProjectFind albums by this artist moniker, with acoustic guitarist Krzysztof WasitaFind albums by this artist, violist Waldemar KnadeFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Agnieszka Grajkowska-WierzbaFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej GulczynskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Fijalkowski and one each is by Knade and Gulczynski. The total playing time is slightly above half an hour, so this could be considered as an EP rather than a full CD album.
The music is all highly melodic, based on solid themes and offering some level on improvisation, but concentrating more on the melodic flow and relaxed atmosphere. Stylistically the music floats between Smooth Jazz and Fusion, with some slight World Music / Gypsy elements, all perfectly incorporated together. Although not a typical Jazz album, it should be quite enjoyable to the listeners of the lighter scale of Jazz-related music. The guitar work often touches upon Fusion, but eschews the senseless Fusiony doodling, again emphasizing the melodic aesthetics.
All the participants are obviously professionals and the performances are all beyond reproach. The guitar parts are certainly the center of attraction, but the solos by Knade are nice icing on the “cake” and the rhythm section does a splendid job, providing a solid, steady basis for the entire duration. This album is a natural extension of the debut album released four years earlier, which offers a similar formula with a somewhat more Fusiony outline.
Overall, this album proves that seemingly straightforward and highly melodic music can be perfectly valuable and offer a pleasant listening experience, which should keep Smooth Jazz / Fusion listeners very happy for the duration. The wonderful melodies are the true forte of this music, which is something relatively rarely found in most contemporary recordings.
| | Updated: 17/06/2023Posted: 17/06/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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