Record Reviews

JAZZ.U ~ ELIYAHU NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is the 2nd album by Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble Jazz.UFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Krzysztof PawlockiFind albums by this artist, which also includes keyboardist Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist, bassist Konrad ZolnierekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz LapinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by the leader, and two are uncredited improvisations. Although still very much a Fusion album, the music offers polyrhythmic tempi, less straightforward melodic themes and a very unusual guitar sound, which immediately sets the album apart from most Fusion albums one might have come across over time. Combined with the extraordinary keyboard work by Kisiel, this album turns out to be quite a surprising step forward for the ensemble, in comparison to the debut, which was recorded four years earlier. The music takes a while to get into, perhaps even requiring several listening sessions, which is a very rare phenomenon as far as Fusion is concerned, and speaks volumes both about the composer and the instrumentalists. There is a lot of volume dynamics between very quiet passages and more aggressive ones, which again are unusual and make the listener to check the volume controls, which might initially be a tad unnerving. In short, the entire experience of listening to the music is full of unexpected trickery, which adds spice to the proceedings. Overall, this is an excellent album, full of surprising and constant shifts in volume, tempo and atmosphere, which makes it stand out within the genre. Complex music and excellent performances, combined with an unusual guitar work should make this a heaven for Fusion fans and offer a whiff of freshness within the rather stale Fusion environment. Well done!

Updated: 26/01/2025Posted: 26/01/2025

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JAZZ.U ~ GRIGIO NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5901571099736) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion band Jazz.uFind albums by this artist led by guitarist / composer Krzysztof PawlockiFind albums by this artist and including saxophonist Michal SasinowskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist (who has a couple of albums as a leader under his belt), bassist Konrad ZolnierekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz LapinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is pretty straightforward Fusion, based on melodic tunes, which serve as basis for the improvisations by the three lead instruments. The compositions are all well structured but rather simplistic, and with one or two exceptions, and do not share the Polish lyricism, which makes Polish bands special, obviously trying to be as universal as possible. The performances are all without a hitch, with the sax, piano and guitar soloing on each tune and the rhythm section providing solid backing. The music flows rather uneventfully, again with a few exceptions. The bass parts deserve a special mention. Overall this is a solid, entertaining Fusion album, which offers pleasant listening experience to a wide range audience of listeners between ambitious instrumental Rock, Fusion and the lighter side of Jazz. Considering the fact that this is a debut effort, the result is commendable and one can only hope the sequel will offer a tad more ambitious material. Fusion heads should have a great time with this music for sure and this album is definitely better than most of the typical Fusion recordings, especially those originating across the pond.

Updated: 27/03/2020Posted: 27/03/2020

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DOMINIK KISIEL / KRZYSZTOF PAWLOCKI ~ LATE SUMMER GRIGIO 03 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish Jazz duo comprising of pianist Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist and guitarist Krzysztof PawlockiFind albums by this artist, last heard together as members of the Jazz.uFind albums by this artist quartet on its debut album from 2018. The album presents seven tracks, all original compositions / improvisations by the duo members. Kisiel has been extremely prolific in the last few years, appearing on many recordings, both as a leader and sideman, some of which were among the finest achievements on the local scene, systematically building up his career as one of the most interesting representatives of the young Polish Jazz generation. The music is very different from that Fusion oriented debut album by Jazz.u, completely open and largely improvised, a home recording, which catches the spur of the moment flowing on the wind. And yet, despite all that lack of clear boundaries and restraints, the music retains a solid melodic content, which keeps evolving slowly, free-spirited and consistent, which seems to be Kisiel’s favorite modus operandi lately. At times the music becomes very contemplative and almost of New Age / meditative nature, which might prove to be trying to a casual, unexpecting listener, but hopefully the mesmerizing beauty will be able to convince the listener to linger on and give oneself up fully to the music, simply enjoying the ambience. Although only marginally close to the core Jazz experience, this music manages to amalgamate the improvisation element with diverse musical directions, leaving much to the listener’s imagination. Overall, this is a very unconventional album, which tries to communicate with the listener on many parallel levels, involving emotions and associations as much as the “usual” chords, notes and sounds. Definitely not for everyone, this music requires a total submission to its spiritual messages, rather than to the conventional notions people hold about music. Fascinating stuff!

Updated: 20/05/2024Posted: 20/05/2024

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