Record Reviews
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  | 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 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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