Record Reviews

KRZYSZTOF PUMA PIASECKI ~ BACKWARD / FORWARD HRPP 043 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the sixth album by Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion guitarist / composer Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist. He is accompanied by a team of musicians, which includes bassist Andrzej RusekFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Charli GreenFind albums by this artist, vocalist Katarzyna Puma PiaseckaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tadeusz LesniakFind albums by this artist and drummer Arek KondrowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions, all by Piasecki. The music is a great collection of melodic Fusion tunes, beautifully crafted and most importantly honest and down to earth. Piasecki is of course "old school" and for him a good tune is the basis for a great performance. These tunes are almost danceable, and certainly a great fun to listen to, which basically scream pure unadulterated musical fun. Of course the guitar is the focus of this album, and Piasecki is a Master of the trade. He plays many different guitars, with different sound effects and in many different moods, doing so always right on the money and straight to the heart. People like me, who still remember the good old days when guitar was the King of the musical Universe, are probably more prone to the heartwrenching guitar sounds that this album is full of. The other players all contribute amicable and highly professional parts on this album, staying however mostly in the background and leaving the spotlight for Piasecki and his stunning guitar parts. Sometimes music should simply serve as an island of sanity in this crazy world of ours, and this album is a great example of such music. Flowing smoothly from one tune to another this music has no dull moments and keeps the listener in a state of bliss. Forget the cerebral doodling and pretentious over sophistication – this is 100% pure delight. Of course this album is an absolute must for all guitar fanatics all over the world and the hordes of Fusion fans, who still populate this earth. This is no bullshit real deal - please remember you heard it from me first!

Updated: 23/09/2017Posted: 23/09/2017

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KRZYSZTOF PUMA PIASECKI ~ CIEPLY KRAJ NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by veteran Polish guitarist / composer Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a tight quartet setting with keyboardist Zdzislaw KalinowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip HornikFind albums by this artist and drummer Olek GasiorFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians appear on selected tracks as well as five guest vocalists, each appearing on a different track, including the Jazz singer Grazyna AuguscikFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof’s daughter Katarzyna Puma PiaseckaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Piasecki. The music is very diverse and covers a wide stylistic spectrum, from Rock via Fusion, Blues and Jazz and even Rap in one case, but this diversity offers a completely coherent portrait of an experienced musician / composer, who feels confident in any genre. The fact that half of the album features vocals is an attempt to reach a new audience, beyond the pigeonholed Blues / Fusion guitar dominated music, that most listeners associate Piasecki with, which hopefully will eventually reach some of the music lovers of the younger generation. But despite the fresh approach, the magnificent guitar playing is still very much present here, and Piasecki’s wonderful tone and phrasing are absolutely intact and his soloing is completely brilliant as always. He remains one of my favorite Polish guitarist in the long run. The performances of all the musicians involved is also excellent and all this combined with the clear and well balanced sound quality offers a refreshing and highly entertaining listening experience. Overall, this is a superbly woven collection of songs and instrumentals, all excellently executed by highly skilled musicians, with some exemplary guitar playing, which knows very few competitors and serves as the proverbial cherry on top. Definitely oriented towards a wider audience, which of course does not mean any quality compromise whatsoever. Just grab a drink and enjoy, which of course is much easier in the warm climate countries ;)

Updated: 30/01/2023Posted: 30/01/2023

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KRZYSZTOF PUMA PIASECKI ~ ILLUSION NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the fifth album by veteran Polish guitarist / composer Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with keyboardist Wojciech KonikiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam SkrzypekFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian SkrzypekFind albums by this artist. Katarzyna Puma PiaseckaFind albums by this artist adds some improvised vocals on one track. The album presents ten original compositions, six of which were composed by Piasecki and four were co-composed by Piasecki and Konikiewicz. The material on this album presents two quite separate musical universes: The music composed by Piasecki moves between Blues-Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion and is based on strong melodic motifs, which serve as vehicles for extended improvisations by the guitar and the keyboards. Both the lyrical / melancholic ballads and the bluesy rockers are nicely and intelligently crafted. The entire sound of the ensemble is somewhat retro oriented and quite reminiscent of many late 1960s / early 1970s Blues based electric instrumental albums. Piasecki plays some great guitar licks, which still send a shiver down the listener´s spine, at least in the case of those of us who grew up when this type of music ruled the world. Konikiewicz plays a variety of keyboards, from acoustic piano, on the mellow acoustic tunes on which the acoustic guitar is also used, to mean synthesizers on the more rocky tunes. The rhythm section (with acoustic bass) is supportive and tight, exactly as needed, and produces an unobtrusive background, which carries the solos with grace. In contrast, the music co-composed by Piasecki and Konikiewicz is less conventional, mostly ambient / improvised, performed by guitar and keyboards only, except for one track, which also uses vocals. This music is obviously more complex and adventurous, and as a result more difficult to be absorbed by an average listener. It is also much more interesting as far as more experienced and daring listeners are concerned. In spite of the obvious differences, the two musical universes work well together, balancing the overall effect both aesthetically and emotionally, creating a multifaceted musical experience. Although this album does not break any new ground musically, it contains excellent musical content, which is based on creative compositions and superb execution by high class instrumentalists, which is already more than most album released today. Listeners who still listen to Blues-Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion have a great opportunity here to get an injection of fresh music, which is right up their alley. This is definitely an album worth investigating by all guitar fans and just anybody with any musical taste left in them. Well done!

Updated: 23/09/2017Posted:

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KRZYSZTOF PUMA PIASECKI / JOZEF SKRZEK ~ STORIES NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by the duo of Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion veterans: guitarist / composer Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist and bassist / keyboardist Jozef SkrzekFind albums by this artist (of SBBFind albums by this artist fame). The double CD album presents fifteen original compositions, six by Piasecki, five by Skrzek and four co-composed by Piasecki and Skrzek. The music is a beautiful collection of melodic tunes, which float somewhere between Fusion and Progressive Rock and feature extended improvisations. Piasecki plays a plethora of acoustic and electric guitars and piano on one tune, and Skrzek plays various keyboards and adds wordless vocalese parts. Although not explicitly stated, the music could be easily considered as a concept suite, since the pieces follow in a coherent manner and obviously present a uniform stylistic concept. The music develops slowly and moves from quiet passages to dynamic peaks, as appropriate for Progressive Rock. The sound is however more Fusion oriented due to the guitar sound and mannerisms, resulting in a wonderful Prog / Fusion amalgam. It is heart worming to hear Skrzek performing so well and being so vigilant, especially in view of the fact that his music in the last decade or so seemed to lose the focus and intensity that characterized his momentous work for many years. The cooperation with Piasecki certainly proved to be most productive and inspiring. It seems that the old Masters still have got all that is needed to make great music and I wish the young Fusion and Prog players would listen to this album and use it as an example of what intelligent and honest music making is all about. Both contemporary Fusion and Prog seem to be completely lost these days, moving away from the glory that exemplified both idioms in the past. This album is a reminder what it was all about – great songwriting, virtuosic performances and above all personal integrity. Overall this album is a magnificent and breathtaking voyage into contemporary instrumental music, which is still highly emotional and aesthetically fulfilling. Obviously this is an absolute must for guitar freaks, Prog and Fusion connoisseurs and all music fans that still have a beating heart, which is not just a muscle. Chapeau!

Updated: 23/09/2017Posted: 23/09/2017

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KRZYSZTOF PUMA PIASECKI & ADAM WENDT ~ WE SEE THE LIGHT SOLITON 1048 (Barcode: 5903684230488) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is an album by two veteran Polish Jazz musicians: guitarist / composer Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist and saxophonist / composer Adam WendtFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the early days of the pandemic (when such things were still possible) in the famous Polish Jazz club Pod Filarami. Rapper EskaubeiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Bartlomiej SkubiszFind albums by this artist) joins the duo on one track and adds some electronics on others. The album presents twelve original compositions: five by Piasecki, four by Wendt and three co-composed by them both. The music is all melody based, moving between Blues / Fusion influences (Piasecki) and mainstream Jazz (Wendt), offering mostly beautiful melodic themes, full of typical Polish melancholy. The entire atmosphere of the album is unique, with the spooky ambience of the empty club and the poignant uncertainty of the pandemic influencing the proceedings. Both Piasecki and Wendt perform brilliantly and their obvious mutual respect and understanding, as well as vast performing experience are immediately apparent here. Despite the limited instrumentation and the rather unusual guitar / sax pairing, the music sound just perfect and lacks nothing more to express the emotions involved. Piasecki´s superb guitar parts, both as accompanist and soloist, are simply breathtaking. Wendt adds wave after wave of heartwrenching emotion and together the duo is as perfect as one might wish for. Overall this is a beautiful album, full of great music and masterful performances, which is not trying to dazzle or surprise but concentrates on communicating music at its purest and most emotional form, which works here perfectly. The album´s optimistic title certainly has a bit of prophecy in it, with the end of the pandemic now in sight. This album is highly recommended to guitar fanatics, as it offers some highly unusual craft, but also to all music lovers, who can enjoy it in its purest form.

Updated: 02/01/2021Posted: 02/01/2021

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RUTKOWSKI & KOSSOWSKA ~ BLUES ON THE BRIDGE LUNA 395 (Barcode: 5900672923957) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is an album by Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Milosz RutkowskiFind albums by this artist and vocalist / harmonica player Beata KossowskaFind albums by this artist. They are supported by bassist Grzegorz PiaseckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech BulinskiFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Krzysztof Puma PiaseckiFind albums by this artist appears as guest artist. Together they perform eleven compositions, all of which are originals by Rutkowski except for one Pop standard and one Polish Pop song. The music is a nice amalgam of Jazz and Blues, pretty unusual these days as the two genres have grown apart despite their common roots. The original compositions by Rutkowski are all excellent, with strong melodic content and perfect harmonic structure, as well as internal Groove and Funky feeling. The basic sound of the album is very Jazzy and the Blues seasoning is emphasized mostly by the harmonica and guitar parts and the vocals. The instrumental performances are all excellent from start to finish and the album is a great fun to listen to, beautifully balancing the sophistication of the Jazz ingredients and the emotional influx of the Blues. Personally I´m not really excited by the vocals and would have preferred this album in purely instrumental version, which would have made it truly exceptional, buy hey, that´s just me. Kossowska does however contribute some breathtaking harmonica parts. The young rhythm section does a perfect job and Piasecki burns with his electrifying solos. Overall this is a very enjoyable album, which maintains a classy approach to the Blues along with the basic Jazz attitude, which should easily satisfy connoisseurs of both genres. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 13/05/2017Posted: 13/05/2017

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