Record Reviews

GRZEGORZ KAPOLKA ~ LIVE AT NOSPR SJ 061 (Barcode: 5902596066772) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2022 This is a live album by veteran Polish Blues guitarist / composer Grzegorz KapolkaFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with electric bassist Dariusz ZiolekFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan KapolkaFind albums by this artist. The album presents five (presumably original, as nothing is stated on the albums artwork) compositions by the leader, with a total playing time of about thirty-six minutes, more like an EP than a full album. The music is classic Blues soaked Fusion, entirely based on the leader’s improvising abilities. The melodic, well-crafted themes are ideal vehicles for the lengthy guitar explorations. Kapolka earned his dues on the local scene working extensively for many years with many ensembles and musicians, earning a lot of respect, and this album clearly shows why. Since Fusion is an intrinsically highly limited genre and after over fifty years of Fusion guitar playing, which dominates the genre, it seems that everything that is possible to do was already done one time or another, but this album manages to raise a brow and show that we have not heard everything yet. Kapolka certainly has some tricks up his sleeve that are able to surprise even the most “educated” Fusion guitar fans, and his virtuosity is surely worth being discovered. This album is more of a short document of a concert appearance than a proper well produced studio effort, and as such is perfect for what it is. Overall, this is spine-chilling exposition of Fusion guitar playing, which should surprise even the veterans of the genre and considering how rare new discoveries in that area are, is wholeheartedly recommended. Guitar freaks heaven on earth!

Updated: 28/01/2023Posted: 16/04/2022

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KAZIOGRA ~ COLORS SJ 073 (Barcode: 5905489720324) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the Polish quartet KaZioGraFind albums by this artist, which comprises of guitarist / composer Grzegorz KapolkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Dariusz ZiolekFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Antoni GralakFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan KapolkaFind albums by this artist (Grzegorz’s son). The album presents eleven original compositions, nine composed by Grzegorz Kapolka and two by Ziolek. The music is a refreshing mixture of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk and Groove, which is a great fun to listen to, but does not compromise musical quality at any time. Grzegorz Kapolka is basically a Blues oriented guitarist, with a beautiful tone and many years of experience behind him. Ziolek is Funky and his bass pulsations add the Groove momentum to the music. Gralak, as always, is the enfant terrible of the bunch, playing some truly weird and wonderful Jazz improvisations, using a lot of electronic devices to twist the sound of the trumpet out of its expected home turf. The young Kapolka drives the quartet steadily forward, keeping everything in check. This music simply refuses to be easily defined, and each composition opens up new sound vistas, keeping the listener in constant state of discovery, which of course is never easy to achieve. There is plenty of great melodic themes, Blues oriented guitar solos and trumpet craziness to surprise even the most erudite listeners and most importantly this music is completely different from everything else on the local scene, which by itself is highly commendable. Overall, this is an unusual, dynamic piece of music, which shuns definitions and pre-conceptions, which is able to take the listener into uncharted territory. The basic Blues / Funk, spiced by the Jazzy improvisations is exciting and refreshing, which happens rather rarely these days. This album is highly recommended to listeners, who are open-minded to new experiences, but at the same time have a build-in affinity to Funky Blues-Rock with a Jazz topping. Definitely well done Gentlemen!

Updated: 25/05/2023Posted: 25/05/2023

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PIOTR MATUSIK ~ TRIBUTE TO CHICK COREA REGIO 602547470744 (Barcode: 602547470744) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Piotr MatusikFind albums by this artist, and as the title suggests it is dedicated to the music of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, featuring six Corea classic compositions. The album was recorded in a quartet setting, which includes also saxophonist Jakub ChojnackiFind albums by this artist, bassist Dariusz ZiolekFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam BuczekFind albums by this artist. Obviously it´s not difficult to understand why a young and aspiring pianist would choose Chick Corea as his role model; after all Corea is one of the greatest and most revered Jazz musicians in all times and a brilliant, often visionary pianist / composer. However, recording an album consisting entirely of Chick Corea´s compositions as a young pianist´s debut album is a hazardous and honestly a questionable decision. It takes years of experience to understand and than tackle the complexity and depth of Corea´s compositions, way beyond the sheer ability to play them. The easiest way to look at it would be to compare each of the compositions featured on this album with the original initial versions of the same compositions as recorded by Corea himself. The album starts with "Now He Sings, Now He SobsFind albums with this title" from the album by the same name recorded by Corea in March 1968, shortly before he started playing with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. It was recorded by a trio with Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist on bass and Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist on drums and marked the beginning of Corea´s most Avant Garde, adventurous and experimental period. At the time of its release the album was completely revolutionary, original and groundbreaking. Now the version of the same composition heard on this album sounds like lounge Smooth Jazz, easy on the ear and of course completely trivializing the original music, which hardly goes well with the "tribute" intention. A similar analysis of all the rest of the album reveals sadly more or less a similar pattern. Let´s get something straight here: these four musicians can play well, even exceptionally well. They are schooled and trained and they know their notes and chords and harmonies. And yet it all comes to nothing as far as creative, ambitious music making is concerned. This album is a terrible mistake, a waste of energy and a lack of direction. Playing someone else´s music in a watered down version is definitely not a way to go by a young and aspiring musician. Of course the future is still very much ahead of these musicians, and anything can happen. It is my duty to point them in a right direction, even if this is a seemingly cruel and painful way to do it. Better luck next time.

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted:

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DARIUSZ ZIOLEK ~ FORGET NOT YET SJ 067 (Barcode: 5902596066987) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish Blues / Jazz bass guitarist / composer Dariusz ZiolekFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Cuban clarinetist / saxophonist / trumpeter Joaquin SosaFind albums by this artist, pianist Grzegorz ZiolekFind albums by this artist and drummer Bartosz SzablowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, seven by Dariusz Ziolek and two by Grzegorz Ziolek (son of Dariusz). The album offers an excellent sound quality, which is very important in delivering the music as naturally and acoustically, as it was intended. The music is all beautifully melodic Jazz, consisting mostly of low-key ballads with strong melancholic / lyrical feel. The level of the compositions is excellent and the entire duration of the album is a pleasant, relaxing experience. There are no surprises or unforeseen explorations, but the delivery is solid and the music flows coherently. The electric bass gets naturally more than usual soloing opportunities, in view of the fact that it is played by the leader, but most of the solo parts are performed by Sosa and Grzegorz Ziolek. Dariusz Ziolek is of course an excellent musician and his smooth, lingering bass lines are at the epicenter of the music, clearly audible for the entire duration of the album. Overall, this is a highly entertaining musical encounter, superbly put together and full of well composed music, which should make all mainstream / melodic Jazz listeners perfectly happy. The simplicity and relaxed atmosphere are a completely valid alternative, as long as they are backed by professional support and talent, which certainly are plentiful herein.

Updated: 28/01/2023Posted: 28/01/2023

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