Record Reviews

LOUD JAZZ BAND ~ 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT LJB 009 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 As the title suggests, this is a live recording celebrating the 25th anniversary of the multi-national Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble called Loud Jazz BandFind albums by this artist, founded and led by guitarist / composer Miroslaw KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist. The octet lineup, which is captured on this video, includes also trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, pianist Pawel KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist, bassist Sebastian HaugenFind albums by this artist, drummer Ivan MakedonovFind albums by this artist, percussionist Maciej OstromeckiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Piotr IwickiFind albums by this artist. The concert was filmed at the Polish Radio studios in Warsaw and captures the ensemble performing nine original compositions, all by the leader. The music of the Loud Jazz Band is a highly polished, melodic and mostly lyrical Jazz-Rock Fusion, with a well balanced ratio between the more Jazz oriented brass solos and more Rock oriented guitar and keyboard solos, supported by a superbly slick and well oiled rhythm section. The compositions get expanded treatments, which allow for all the ensemble members to show off their chops. The band is obviously one of the best of its kind in Europe, definitely more ambitious and sophisticated than most. It is a real pleasure to watch and hear this band in action, especially in view of the superb solos performed in the duration, which spice the proceedings enormously. On this particular recording the internal balance of the band is somewhat shifted towards Jazz with the addition of the Polish piano superstar Pawel Kaczmarczyk, who proverbially "steals the show" with his extraordinary performances. Of course his presence adds a new level to the entire sound and well being of the ensemble, but his star quality is a magnet of attention. It is quite surprising to hear Kaczmarczyk to handle Jazz-Rock Fusion so well, albeit the fact that this is not his typical milieu. As good as the music of Loud Jazz Band is the actual video is truly disappointing, almost amateurish with a inadequate camera work, which is limited to an open shot view of the band and some primitive close-ups. The sound quality is, however excellent, clear and well balanced. As a result the visual part of the DVD is in fact redundant (as happens in most music DVDs) and this material holds water based on its audible ingredient alone. For Jazz-Rock Fusion fans this is a highly recommended piece of excellent music, which yields nothing but pure delight!

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LOUD JAZZ BAND ~ FROM THE DISTANCE - LIVE IN OSLO LJB 006 (Barcode: 7090025839429) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the eighth album by the multi-national Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble called Loud Jazz BandFind albums by this artist, which was founded in 1989 in Poland by guitarist / composer Miroslaw KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist and a decade later moved to Norway. The current edition of the band includes musicians from Poland, Norway and Bulgaria and the octet lineup which recorded this album includes, in addition to Kaczmarczyk the following players: trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, pianist Oystein SkarFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Piotr IwickiFind albums by this artist, bassist Kristian EdvardsenFind albums by this artist, drummer Ivan MakedonovFind albums by this artist and percussionist Maciej OstromeckiFind albums by this artist. The album, which was recorded live, includes seven original compositions by Kaczmarczyk. After listening to just a few moments of this music, it becomes immediately apparent that this is a highly professional ensemble of skilled and experienced musicians, playing polished arrangements of very melodic music spiced with very impressive solo spots. The music, perhaps not very challenging or adventurous, is nevertheless skillfully put together and "easy on the ear", sounding simply beautiful and pleasant. And yet this is far from being elevator music or God forbid muzak, even if it sounds "nice"; on the contrary, it is simply perfectly designed to fit a precise niche of what is usually referred to as the "easier side of Jazz". If Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist can play this kind of music, and be universally praised for it, why not the Loud Jazz Band, especially if they are at least as good? The sound quality of this album, especially in view of the fact that it was recorded live, is simply stunning and the balance and separation between the instruments and overall ambience are truly magnificent. This album should be used in all the Hi-Fi stores to test the audio equipment. The album is also beautifully and tastefully designed and packaged, suiting well the music it contains. For people listening to more melodic Jazz / Fusion this is a true gem!

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ NORTH PARK ALLEGRO 036 (Barcode: 5901157049360) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by veteran Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quintet setting with vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist and Norwegian trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions all by Staroniewicz. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and offers wonderful sound quality, as expected, and was released on AllegroFind albums on this label Records, an independent record label owned by Staroniewicz, which since over two decades releases Polish Jazz albums recorded by musician living in the Baltic Pomeranian region. The music, although melody based and mainstream oriented, offers a specific sound and atmosphere, which is somewhat similar to Scandinavian / Nordic Jazz and quite distant from typical Polish Jazz. The pianoless quintet, which uses vibraphone as the harmonic instrument and the presence of the dominant trombonist all have a decisive influence on the music, which offers a darkish, somewhat distant atmosphere and ambience, which is very effective. Combined with the characteristic compositions, which Staroniewicz is famous for since many decades, the music manages to create a unique and very startling overall impression. All five musicians are of course highly skilled professionals, who know exactly what needs to be played at any given moment and their interplay is absolutely perfect for this music, which needs attentive listening in order to get familiar with all its intricacies and has a distinctive effect of growing on the listener with consecutive listening sessions. Personally the impressive bass parts by Urowski as some of my favorite moments on this album, but to be fair it is full of great playing from start to finish. Overall this album is a wonderful example of the incredible diversity of the Polish Jazz scene, even within the mainstream genre itself. Staroniewicz, as usual, deservers praise for doing his own thing and ignoring fads and fashions. His lifetime commitment to excellence is admirable. This is highly interesting and challenging music, which deserves to be heard!

Updated: 22/03/2019Posted: 22/03/2019

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ STRANGE VACATION ALLEGRO 045 (Barcode: 5901157049452) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the second album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader / AllegroFind albums on this label Records label owner Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with the quintet featuring Norwegian trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist and Polish vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. It follows the “North Park” album from 2019. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Staroniewicz except one by Johannessen. Staroniewicz managed to establish himself over the years as one of the most reliable Polish Jazz leaders, who is always surrounded by the best Jazz players on the Baltic Tricity scene, often cooperating also with musicians from other countries, as this album demonstrates. The music continues the aesthetic direction established by the debut album, with highly melodic and melancholic melody lines and restrained expressionism, emphasized by the presence of the vibraphone, which settles the overall ambience. The music returns to the atmosphere of smoky, dark clubs of the early days of Polish Jazz, which often also involved Scandinavian Jazz musicians, and explores odd rhythmic patterns and unusual harmonics. Overall, this is a highly elegant, mature and atmospheric album, based on elegant tunes and superb performances by experienced and sensitive musicians, everything a Jazz connoisseur might wish for. This is Polish Jazz at its best, timeless and universal, and still meaningful, respecting tradition but exploring its own space-time continuum. Very well done, as always!

Updated: 06/06/2022Posted: 06/06/2022

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