Record Reviews

DAWID LUBOWICZ ~ HUMAN FATE REQUIEM / LYDIAN 2024/40 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2014 This is the 3rd solo album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in quartet setting with keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist (his brother), bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, one of which is a four-part composition, seven of which are original compositions by Dawid Lubowicz and one is by Jakub Lubowicz. Dawid Lubowicz is primarily known as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, Poland’s famed Jazz-Classical Fusion ensemble, which produces exemplary and innovative music, which flirts with Classical form and Jazzy improvisation. This album, however, is quite different form that facet of Dawid’s activity. For the first time it features him playing the mandolin in addition to the violin, and the music is more relaxed, beautifully melodic and closer to mainstream Jazz approach. It also touches upon Pop and World Music genres, but basically is as cross-genre as one might imagine. This new stylistic direction does not mean that the music is less sophisticated or classy, but simply signifies that it is somewhat different from what listeners of Dawid’s earlier work might expect. All four musicians are top notch and highly experienced performers, which is evident for the entire duration of the album. Dawid gets the center stage, as expected, but everybody gets to display their chops and the almost completely acoustic sound, which is well balanced and round, creates a pleasant, fluid listening experience. I highly value the directness, honesty and unpretentious openness that this album offers, which sometimes manages to deliver more aesthetic value than hyper ostentatious efforts, which often cover for the lack of contents. Of course Dawid’s virtuosic parts are not absent and Kubiszyn’s amazing bass soli spice the proceedings highly effectively. The mandolin parts work splendidly as well, adding another touch to the overall sound. Overall, this is another splendid piece of music by Dawid Lubowicz, who never fails his followers. Although perhaps more accessible than his “usual” outings, it lacks nothing to satisfy the taste buds of music connoisseurs. The music is as universal as music can be, so National or stylistic boundaries are completely meaningless herein.

Updated: 18/11/2024Posted: 18/11/2024

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NIKA LUBOWICZ ~ NIKA`S DREAM FOR TUNE 0065 (Barcode: 5902768701654) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer Nika LubowiczFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a very impressive group of musicians, which includes her siblings: violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist (Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist) and keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist, cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist (also Atom String Quartet), bassist Marcin MurawskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Marcin UlanowskiFind albums by this artist, percussionist Bogusz WekkaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Artur GierczakFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist. Veteran pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist guests on a couple of tracks. The album presents nine tracks, three of which are standards, two are by Dawid Lubowicz, another two by Krzysztof Lenczowski and yet another two by Nika Lubowicz herself. All songs feature English lyrics except for the last track which has lyrics in Polish. From the very first notes of this album it´s plainly evident that this is no ordinary vocal Jazz album. The arrangements, which in most cases feature either the violin or the cello up front alongside the vocal parts, replace the usual "vocals with piano trio" setting. The arrangements also include other unusual lineups, keeping the listener on his toes at all times. The overall atmosphere of this album is all about the essence of music, freely crossing genre boundaries, comfortably and elegantly touching upon mainstream Jazz, ethnic music, Pop and Soul with the same artistically predetermined frivolity. I even have to agree with all the compliments listed in the album´s liner notes authored by Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, which happens extremely rarely. Nika Lubowicz uses her vocal abilities wisely and intelligently, switching between lyrics and vocalese with grace. Her vocalese parts are in fact way more impressive than her actual singing lyrics, which as always in such cases suffer from the English pronunciation, being far from ideal. The closing track sung in Polish is a sore proof of this. Luckily her singing lyrics are altogether just a minor part of the entire endeavor. I have not timed the album but about half of the album´s duration is instrumental, which is highly unusual for albums involving vocals, and which is a very courageous and in this case extremely tasteful decision. This is the second album in the "pink" (Jazz vocals) series by For TuneFind albums on this label Records, and it is again a big time winner. Albums of such quality and obvious aesthetic approach are extremely rare and the fact that at least once a year they do materialize makes life worth living, at least for people who love music. This is definitely a most impressive debut and so far the best vocal Jazz album released this year on the Polish Jazz scene. Well done girl!

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NIKA LUBOWICZ ~ NOC NAD BETLEJEM FOR TUNE 0114 (Barcode: 5906395808144) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is second Christmas album I am writing about this year, which is highly unusual, as I mostly keep away from Christmas albums as far as I can, not that I have anything against Christmas per se, but because Christmas albums are usually pretty atrocious musically. However, for the second time it turns out that Christmas albums can be artistic and musically fulfilling. Polish Jazz vocalist Nika LubowiczFind albums by this artist, a member of the famed Lubowicz clan, gathered her two brothers: violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist, her husband accordionist Sebastian ZajacFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcin MurawskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist and a couple of guests, and together they perform ten Christmas Carols, six of which were composed by Nika´s father Stanislaw LubowiczFind albums by this artist, one by Waclaw Geiger and three are traditional Carols newly arranged for this album. The music carries the Christmas spirit, as expected, but it is also rich in wonderful arrangements, some more Jazz oriented and others less so, and of course features Nika´s lovely vocals, which are always a pleasure to listen to. Everything is kept in relaxed, almost blessed atmosphere, with the music and instrumental passages working perfectly together to create a coherent, highly aesthetic message. The music also includes some Folklore elements, related to the Polish Highlanders, who live near the southern border of the country in the Tatra Mountains and the town of Zakopane, which of course is Nika´s home ground. Overall this is a gorgeous, moving album, which although Christmas oriented, is perfectly listenable any day of the year, and which emphasizes the diversity and beauty of the Polish Culture.

Updated: 28/11/2016Posted: 28/11/2016

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