Record Reviews

FOLLOW DICES ~ CZULOSC NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the second album by Polish Jazz quartet Follow DicesFind albums by this artist, which comprises of violinist Mikolaj KostkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jan Jerzy KolackiFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam WajdzikFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, seven by Kostka and one each by Raczkowski and Kolacki. The album is a refined version of the impressive debut album by this wonderful acoustic quartet of highly skilled young Jazz players, released five years earlier. The compositions are much more focused and emphasize the lyrical elements of Polish tradition, both from the Folkloristic and Classical sources, all perfectly intertwined within the Jazz components with grace and sophistication. Kostka matured and perfected his violin technique and sound to such a level, that he can be counted easily as one of the top Jazz violinists in the country, and hearing his development as performer, and to no lesser degree as composer, is a real joy. Raczkowski also polished his piano playing and his soloing on this album sounds truly impressive. The rhythm section fills the gaps precisely and tastefully, exactly as the doctor prescribed. Perhaps even more importantly, the cohesion and interplay of the quartet as a whole is the finest achievement herein, and is an absolute aesthetic wonder. Overall, this is simply a classic example of Polish Jazz at its best, with the typical Polish melancholy at the helm and ingenious use of all the right aesthetic elements that make the perfect puzzle complete. A true uplifting experience, which fills the listener with tears of joy in the corners of his eyes, at least in my case. It’s been a while since I have heard an album of this level of quality and I bow deeply to these Artists in a gesture of gratitude.

Updated: 21/03/2024Posted: 20/03/2024

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FOLLOW DICES ~ ETERNAL COLORS SJ 029 (Barcode: 5912596066320) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the Polish quartet Follow DicesFind albums by this artist, comprising of pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, violinist Mikolaj KostkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jan Jerzy KolackiFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam WajdzikFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen relatively short original compositions, five of which were composed by all four members of the quartet, four by Kostka, two by Raczkowski (one of them with Wajdzik) and two by Kolacki (one of them with Tobiasz GottfriedFind albums by this artist). The album was beautifully recorded at the Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Jazz and Polish Folklore influences, with traces of contemporary Classical and Nordic ambiance. The separate pieces can be easily conceived as a continuous suite, as they present a coherent compositional unity and harmonic consistency, as well as stylistic European Jazz aesthetic. Although based on solid melodic themes, the music is generously open and allows free improvisation between the melodic statements. Constantly floating rhythmically and harmonically, the music is in many aspects an epitome of modern European Jazz at its best, presenting intellectual and emotional involvement complementing each other in perfect equilibrium. All four of these young musicians emerge triumphantly from this ambitious and often quite complex music. Raczkowski weaves the harmonic magic carpet upon which the music floats, Kostka ornaments the proceedings with his romantic and soulful melodic statements, Kolacki is, as expected, the pillar of stability and the beacon pointing out the way and Wajdzik is the master of good taste and delicacy not disturbing the fragile rhythms and playing exactly as much as needed. The unity and cooperation among the band members is truly exemplary. The album distinctly presents the best of what can be defined as Polishness in contemporary Polish music, i.e. it borrows wisely from the tradition, more conceptually than literally, emphasizing the Polish lyricism and melancholy majestically and with elegance and flair. If someone is looking for an example of "Polish Jazz", this is perhaps one of the best recent examples of the idiom. There is no doubt that this is a stunning debut effort, which hopefully paves a way for a fruitful future. As such, it is so far one of the strongest albums that landed on my desk (and in my ears) this year, which is a rare distinction. I can only recommend it to all music connoisseurs all over the world, as music of such quality and depth is very precious and rare. Well done Gentlemen!

Updated: 23/07/2018Posted: 23/07/2018

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MACIEJ KITAJEWSKI TRIO ~ LONGING MINIATURES NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5907745979330) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album as a leader by young Polish Jazz bassist / composer Maciej KitajewskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Szymon MadejFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by the leader, one is a standard and one an adaptation of a Pop song. The music is all strictly within the Jazz mainstream idiom and the Jazz piano trio format, except for the emphasis on extended bass soloing, which would not usually appear on a piano trio album, but which is acceptable considering the fact that the leader is a bassist. The original compositions, although rather straightforward, are all very coherent and have a nice melodic tinge with a dash of melancholy, which perhaps is the result of the pandemic depression, which affected us all. The music flows gently and creates a very pleasant listening experience. The two other members of the trio are somewhat more experienced than the leader and turn out to be perfect choice for the album, playing fluently and supportively, like old pros. The recording’s sound quality is excellent as well, which turns this album into a perfect experience for Jazz piano trio buffs. Overall, the album offers excellent mainstream Jazz, beautifully played and solidly put together, which stands easily shoulder to shoulder with other similar albums recorded anywhere on earth. As usual, it portrays the fabulous level of the young Polish Jazz scene, which overflows with talent and passion for music. Very well done indeed!

Updated: 11/09/2021Posted: 11/09/2021

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PRZEMEK KLECZKOWSKI ~ TIME HEVHETIA 0161 (Barcode: 8588005258241) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by Polish singer / songwriter Przemek KleczkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with excellent young Polish Jazz instrumentalists: guitarist Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, organist Grzegorz DowgialloFind albums by this artist, flautist Kasia Gacek-DudaFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech SzwugierFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, seven of which are originals (assumably as this is not stated on the album´s artwork) by Kleczkowski (with lyrics in Polish and English), one is a Polish song by veteran saxophonist / composer Jerzy MatuskiewiczFind albums by this artist and another is a Classic Rock standard by the DoorsFind albums by this artist. The songs have very little to do with Jazz per se, being mostly Pop, Rock and Folk oriented, but the instrumental arrangements have a distinct Jazz touch to them. The melodies are very melancholic and low key, which after a while gets to be a bit monotonic. Several excellent instrumental solos save the day, but without them the album would be quite difficult to listen to all the way through. Using lyrics in English is, as always, a bad mistake and the songs featuring them suffer from pretty problematic delivery. Kleczkowski offers a very limited vocal palette and workshop, simply delivering the lyrics and not using any other vocal tools. As a result his singing belongs more to the Alternative Pop idiom than to Jazz and is definitely an acquired taste. The album is full of good intentions, which sadly do not come to fruition. Overall this is a nice Pop album, with Jazzy arrangements and melancholic songs that are easily forgettable.

Updated: 11/08/2018Posted: 11/08/2018

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PAWEL MANKA SEMIOTIC QUINTET ~ KUBIZM SJ 055 (Barcode: 5902596066680) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet, named Semiotic QuintetFind albums by this artist and led by guitarist / composer Pawel MankaFind albums by this artist, which also includes other young representatives of the local scene: saxophonist Robert WypasekFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr NarajowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, which are all original compositions by the leader. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the usual superb sound quality. The music is quite adventurous and offers a mixture of Fusion and Avant-Garde Jazz, based on sketchy compositions, which are a basis for extended, often Free improvisations by the soloists, with solid, more well-behaved rhythm section support. The result achieves a somewhat chaotic, but certainly enthralling listening experience, with an end-result delivering more of seeking than achieving, but certainly being very absorbing along the way. The leader’s guitar playing is at times somewhat detached from the rest of the ensemble, emphasizing the electric Fusion guitar sound, which clashes with the acoustic Jazzy sound of the remaining quartet, but when kept in check it is able to coexist with the quartet more amicably. This is more a “sound” / ambience problem that a musical drawback, but for the best of the quintet has to be resolved in the future. Wypasek keeps the music down to earth, offering an almost traditional jazz approach, which leaves most of the glory around Raczkowski (the pianist), who is the true spark of this recording. His work on several albums he took part in during the last few years certainly marks him as a player worth watching, yet to emerge in full glory, but his playing here if pretty amazing. The rhythm section, as already mentioned, does a wonderful job to keep the music together, which without their heroic efforts, might have disintegrated at some moments. Overall, this is a very ambitious album, which is only partly successful, but is way more interesting than most “well behaved” recordings, which dominated to Polish Jazz scene this year, perhaps partly paralyzed by the Pandemic. The daring and ambition are highly appreciated and with some “fine tuning” and discipline this quintet can certainly get places. Kudos for the effort and all the best in the future!

Updated: 30/11/2021Posted: 30/11/2021

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FRANCISZEK POSPIESZALSKI ~ ACCUMULATED THOUGHTS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album by young Polish Jazz bassist / composer Franciszek PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a classic piano trio Jazz setting with pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist and Hungarian drummer Peter SomosFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Pospieszalski and one is by the legendary British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the now legendary Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the expected exceptional sound quality. In complete contrast to his debut album, which was an explosion of youthful exploration and discovery flirting mostly with Free Jazz and a myriad of other influences, this album is completely focused on melodic modern Jazz, coherent compositions and superb instrumental work by the trio. Pospieszalski emerges here as a gifted composer, who is able to weave interesting and multilayered themes, as well as a superb bassist, with refined technique and remarkable feel for the music. His work as a trio member and as a soloist is absolutely spotless and inspired. Raczkowski, who is a relative newcomer on the Polish scene, made an impressive progress as a player since his own debut album recorded three years earlier, and his splendid performances on acoustic and electric piano are a true delight from start to finish. His progress is heartwarming and definitely paves his way towards the incredibly crowded Polish Jazz pianist clique. Somos is an excellent drummer, which is mostly evident from the fact that he is rather felt that heard. His elegant sense of rhythm and subtle use of his instrument are remarkable. Overall this is a wonderful piano trio Jazz album, up to date and vibrant, full of excellent music and brilliant playing, definitely one of the most exciting of the kind that came to my attention in quite a while. Congratulations are in order for the chameleonic transformation Pospieszalski went through and for putting this trio together and I can´t wait to hear the next album by these young lions. A breathe of fresh air!

Updated: 15/04/2019Posted: 15/04/2019

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RACZKOWSKI & KOSTKA ~ DUO SJ 028 (Barcode: 5912596066313) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the Polish duo comprising of pianist / composer Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist and violinist / composer Mikolaj KostkaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve relatively short compositions, eleven of which are originals: six by Raczkowski, three by Kostka and two co-composed by them both and one is a John CageFind albums by this artist composition. The music was beautifully recorded at the Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist. The music is conceptually closer to contemporary Classical music than Jazz, but has obvious Jazz ties. It is also very delicate, minimalist and deeply lyrical and it seems that every single note earned its place in these compositions by deliberate contemplation. However, in spite of the sparingness and careful use of notes, the music is fully developed and bodied, creating a wonderful overall effect of coherent musical message being conveyed. Of course in case of a duo, it is the dialogue that the two players are able to develop that matters the most. In this case the dialogue is wonderfully balanced and the soloing by one of the musicians is always excellently accompanied his partner, creating a continuous conversational mode. Kostka displays strong ties with Polish musical Folklore, which is not surprising as many players of his generation show deep love and respect of Polish musical sources, incorporating them in their music. He also joins the ranks of the revered Polish Jazz Violin School, which grows rapidly. Both musicians display a mature approach to their instruments, with obvious talent and technical proficiency, which is always astonishing with the members of the young Polish generation of musicians. Complimented with the noticeable mutual understanding, respect and common musical goals, the duo is a wonderful example of a whole being much more that the sum of its ingredients. Although still very young, these musicians display a coherence, maturity and skillful appliance of their talents, which is usually only achieved at much later stage of musical careers. Overall this is stunning debut, which deserves to be heard by as many music connoisseurs, way beyond the strict circle Jazz aficionados. It is a wondrous amalgam of Jazz, contemporary Classical music and Folklore, which is powerful in spite of its serene appearance. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 23/07/2018Posted: 23/07/2018

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FRANCISZEK RACZKOWSKI TRIO ~ APPRENTICE FOR TUNE 0066 (Barcode: 5902768701722) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio setting with bassist Pawel WszolekFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr BudniakFind albums by this artist. It presents seven original compositions, all by Raczkowski. As the title suggests, Raczkowski is still at the very early stage of his career and is searching for his personal language, both as a player and a composer. His music is floating somewhere between mainstream Jazz and more ambitious explorations of the melodic and harmonic spheres, quite diverse and obviously still uncertain as to the final outcome. As a result the album is somewhat uneven, with some of the pieces being very interesting and others significantly less so. Although the music sounds very melodic, there are but a few clear melodic themes to which the listener can cling to or follow. The rest sounds just as fragmented statements, hold together by the framework of a tune, but not really making sense musically. The music is very well performed, although Raczkowski does not display a wide dynamic range in his performances, which is splendidly picked up by the rhythm section, which does a wonderful job here. Wszolek keeps the tunes together bravely, even when the music seems to disintegrate, and Budniak keeps it alive with his delicate but masterly strokes. After repeated listening to this album I could not honestly make up my mind if it presents a pianist / composer of great hope, as some of the statements I read about it claim. The comparisons to Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist are pretty far fetched and might prove more damaging than constructive. I´ll have to wait patiently for the next album to see if Raczkowski is the "next" big thing on the Polish scene. In the meantime this album surely deserves to be listened to and as a debut it is altogether quite nice.

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