Record Reviews

TOMASZ DABROWSKI ~ TOMASZ DABROWSKI & THE INDIVIDUAL BEINGS APRIL 093 (Barcode: 5709498109329) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Polish (resident in Denmark) trumpeter / composer Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and his new septet called Individual BeingsFind albums by this artist, which also includes Danish saxophonist Fredrik LundinFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Knut FinsrudFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, pianist Grzegorz TarwidFind albums by this artist, bassist Max MuchaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jan MlynarskiFind albums by this artist. Several members of the septet utilize also electronic. The album presents eight tracks, all by the leader. The music is a brilliant example of modern European Jazz, which borders on Avant-Garde, and witch beautifully combines tradition with modernism, melody with freedom and diverse rhythmic approaches, creating a hypnotic journey through the listener’s mind. Dabrowski plays homage to the iconic Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist on several layers, playing on an instrument that belonged to him, coining the name of the ensemble from a Stanko quote from his biography, but most importantly by being inspired by Stanko’s approach to Jazz composition in his most interesting period between 1970s and 1990s. The septet members are all highly experienced musicians with impressive individual careers under their belts, which of course enables a high density of imagination and expression, which the septet is able to use while creating this music. The constantly changing dialogues and individual soloing are all superbly weaved and the music engulfs the listener completely. The double drums provide the possibility of polyrhythmic time scales and multifocal pulsations, which are highly unusual and fascinating. Although everything Dabrowski recorded in the last ten years or so since he arrived on the scene – an astounding number of forty albums as a leader / co-leader and sideman – he still manages to innovate and reinvent himself time after time, constantly pushing the boundaries. He always seems to be able to inspire his fellow musicians to follow him in his quests. Overall, this is a stunning, highly unusual album full of wonderful music, atmospheric tension and beautiful aesthetics, which hold the listener mesmerized for the duration. It also serves as a great example of contemporary international musical collaboration which borderless Europe can offer to its young generation. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 16/02/2022Posted: 16/02/2022

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FREDRIK LUNDIN ~ 5 GO ADVENTURING AGAIN STUNT 17162 (Barcode: 663993171623) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by veteran Danish saxophonist / composer Fredrik LundinFind albums by this artist and his quintet which also includes Polish trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist Petter HangselFind albums by this artist and Bazantar player Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Anders ProvisFind albums by this artist. Danish contrabass clarinet player Jesper LovdalFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Lundin. The music is dense and complex, dark and epic, close to contemporary Classical music although undoubtedly Jazzy at the core. The sound of the quintet majestically rises to the level of an orchestral reverberation, with the brass instruments playing unisono riffs behind the solos and the slowly moving melody lines are supported by a brilliant mixture of electronic and acoustic drums and mindboggling bass, or rather Bazantar pulsations. At times it all sounds like a bizarre funeral procession or a very drunk circus band, but the music is absolutely dazzling in its power and glory. The level of individual statements is also astonishing. Dabrowski, as usual, plays some incredible trumpet parts, but Lundin and Hangsel are there with him playing not less amazingly. Illerhag is one of the most impressive bass players I have had the pleasure to hear in a long while and Provis pushes the music right to the very edge. But first and foremost the ensemble collectivism these incredible musicians are able to achieve here is way beyond just a sum if its ingredients, which of course adds another layer of significance to this recording. Overall this is an incredible album, full of superb music and virtuosic performances, which deserves to be heard by as many music connoisseurs around the world as possible. It is absolutely European in its intrinsic elegance and aesthetics, with a strong emphasis on Nordic atmosphere and melancholy and could have never been envisaged and created anywhere else. It is also a monumental road sign as to the future of Jazz, which is moving further and further away from its stale traditionalism towards creating a completely revamped idiom, which is multicultural, cross-genre and open to constant change and progress and deep spirituality. Wholeheartedly recommended to anybody, who really cares about music and where it is going!

Updated: 27/03/2018Posted: 27/03/2018

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MALUBA ORCHESTRA ~ MALUBA ORCHESTRA STUNT 19042 (Barcode: 663993190426) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by Danish thirteen-piece Jazz orchestra called Maluba OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which name combines the first two letters of the three co-leaders: percussionist / composer Marilyn MazurFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / composer Fredrik LundinFind albums by this artist and guitarist Kasper BaiFind albums by this artist. In its ranks we also find the excellent Polish (resident in Denmark) trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, five by Mazur, three by Lundin and two by Bai. The music is an absolute brilliant display of what European Orchestral Jazz is all about. It combines perfectly the entire kaleidoscope of Jazz sub-genres, from Swing to Free, and offers complex but coherent compositions, superb arrangements and of course sublime execution by the orchestra members. There is plenty of space for individual soloing, but the full power of the orchestra is most impressive in the collective performances. Each and every one of the composition is a true gem, and the entire album offers a diverse, stylistically and more importantly aesthetically perfect equilibrium of sensitivity and good taste, which characterizes European Jazz at its best. The final piece on the album is an ode to Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist, based on his New Year chorale (BWV 288), which is a classic example of Jazz-Classical Fusion and which makes only subtle references to the actual source and leaves the rest to an intelligent listener. The many followers of Dabrowski have here a wonderful opportunity to hear many of his excellent contributions here, often more "conventional" than on his own recordings but by no means less impressive, as usual representing Polish Jazz proudly. Overall this is a beautiful orchestral Jazz album, which has no dull moments and offers a glimpse into the Danish Jazz scene, which in the last decade enjoys a renaissance with many excellent young musicians playing alongside their veteran colleagues. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 06/01/2020Posted: 06/01/2020

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