Record Reviews
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  | INSZA ~ ...DLA NN...
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by Polish duo InszaFind albums by this artist, which comprises of vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Lukasz SabatFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / saxophonist Wojciech InglotFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions by the duo, one of which is repeated twice, the second time as a bonus track. The lyrics, in Polish and English, include self-penned material and four poems by contemporary Polish poets.
The music is an original amalgam of Alternative Pop, World Music and strong Jazzy influences. Although melody based, it allows for vocalese and instrumental improvisation, which are intelligent and very original. There is a huge stylistic diversity, which might be perceived as incoherent, but to say the truth it is completely coherent in the large picture. The duo manages to create a unique "style", which is idiosyncratic and open-minded at the same time.
The music is also completely contemporary, using electronics and sound effects, drum machines and studio effects with utmost delicacy and aesthetic care, avoiding overusing these devices to completely eclipse whatever musical contents that might be there, as is done in most contemporary productions.
The use of the wonderful duduk, one of my personally preferred musical instruments, is as effective on this album as previously displayed by Sabat on the Angela GaberFind albums by this artist´s "Opowiesci Z ZiemiFind albums with this title" album, which is also warmly recommended! Sabat´s vocal performances are also very impressive and he is surely a vocalist / musician worth following in the future.
Overall this is a strong debut album, which shows great potential and is a most pleasurable listening experience. I am already waiting impatiently for their next effort!
| | Updated: 01/11/2019Posted: 24/02/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JANUSZ SZUBER ~ W CENTRUM ZRENICY
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
This is an absolutely delightful album presenting the poetry by Polish poet Janusz SzuberFind albums by this artist, accompanied by three musicians: cellist Julia KotarbaFind albums by this artist, vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Lukasz SabatFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / saxophonist Wojciech InglotFind albums by this artist – the last two known together as the InszaFind albums by this artist duo. Szuber selected eighteen poems form his wide-ranging poetic legacy, which he recites, and the three musicians composed the music, which they perform accompanying his recitation.
Although the music encompasses a wide stylistic range, I warmly embrace this album as part of the Polish Jazz & Poetry realm, as it has a distinctive Jazzy feel about it, if not stylistically surely conceptually. This amalgamation of words and music turns out to be especially effective primarily due to the fact that the music was carefully constructed to fit to the intrinsic rhythm of the poems and their natural "musicality", as well as the careful balance between the recitation, which is distinctly forefront, and the music which respectfully stays in the background, although being perfectly well audible. Of course, as usual with Jazz & Poetry projects, the final result is way more than just the sum of its ingredients.
The poetry of Szuber is a multilayered and highly emotional affair. His usage of vocabulary, mostly based on everyday, seemingly simple language, conceals deeply philosophical, often harsh reflections about life´s truths, and yet always points towards the light at the end of the tunnel. The fact that he spent most of his lifetime in a wheelchair did not manage to let him become dominated by bitterness, which is of course commendable. Sadly the language layer of this project is limited to Polish speaking public, although personally I love Jazz & Poetry recordings which include languages completely unfamiliar to me – the power of this idiom often transcend language barriers.
I can only hope that this little gem of an album gets to as many listeners as possible, as it truly deserves an audience. Most warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 01/11/2019Posted: 01/11/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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