Record Reviews

AN ON BAST ~ SONGS FOR RUNNING THROUGH GRASS GHOST KITCHEN 01 ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 Polish Jazz enthusiasts are familiar with electronic producer and live performer An On BastFind albums by this artist (real name Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) thanks to a series of wonderful recordings she made with trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, where her extraordinary creations met the Jazz idiom. But before recording with Fortuna she was already a world famous artists, performer and recording artist of her own accord with an ongoing career since 2006. An On Bast recorded this solo album after the recordings with Fortuna and its release also marks a debut on her own record label called Ghost Kitchen. It includes eleven relatively short tracks, all composed by her. Contemporary electronic / ambient music is rarely interesting to me, as it is based mostly on schematic, very predictable sound formulas and rhythmic patterns. The great Godfathers of electronic music, like Karlheinz StockhausenFind albums by this artist, Edgar VareseFind albums by this artist and many others, started the electronic explorations to expand the borders of sound as known to the human ear, but by the end of the 20th Century it was completely bastardized, commercialized and vandalized by the Pop (non)Culture of the time, becoming more of a noise pollution than music in any respect. Of course there are always exceptions and An On Bast is for me one of them. Her electronic / ambient sounds are aesthetically pleasing; non aggressive and diverse enough to keep the attention of the listener rather than hypnotize him by a drone like repetitious mechanical sound poison. There is enough melodic element, development and variety to keep things interesting for the duration of the album, and listening to it becomes quite a fun after a while, especially in a relaxed, hassle-free environment, like driving or late night listening. Although I hope An On Bast will continue her involvement with the Jazz world in the future, her electronic works are now another avenue of soundscapes I find worth following. Well done!

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AN ON BAST / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ 1 FM 006 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by the duo of live-electronics performer An On BastFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) and the young Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The nine tracks, which this album comprises of, are all co-credited to both artists. The music is created by amalgamating acoustic trumpet sounds with electronic effects, resulting in a new musical form and structure. This kind of cooperation between Jazz tradition and contemporary sound possibilities are quite popular among the young generation of Polish Jazz players and several recordings, conceptually similar to this one, have been made in the last few years in Poland. Even Pink FreudFind albums by this artist, Poland´s most popular Jazz outfit, uses the same trumpet / electronics formula since many years. Therefore this album loses some of the "surprise effect" one might expect from such an unusual setting. Nevertheless the resulting music is still very interesting and proves that Jazz should be open to new ideas at all times and that its heritage and concepts should not be sanctified just for the sake of conservatism. This album might perhaps be more appealing to the younger generation of Jazz connoisseurs, which grew up with electronic sound effects as an organic part of their musical milieu. Fortuna should definitely be congratulated for daring and keeping his mind open. Fortuna wrote some fabulous melodies, which are clearly distinguishable even after being electronically treated and transformed. His superb trumpet playing, which is well documented on his "straight-forward" Jazz recordings, is the key element of the successful overall effect this album transmits. Innovative, challenging, often subtle and intriguing, this music takes some time to digest and get used to, but good music often does. This album is recommended to the adventurous listeners, who keep looking for challenging music, although any open-minded music lover should find this fascinating and eventually rewarding.

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AN ON BAST / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSFORMATION OF FILM MUSIC BY KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI FM 013 (Barcode: 888174357317) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the third album by the Polish duo, which consists of ambient / electronic music artists An On BastFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) and Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The album includes thirteen tracks, which were composed and conceived by the duo, all inspired by music composed by the Polish Classical composer Maestro Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, which was either composed as soundtrack music for cinematographic productions or used in such capacity. The album also includes a DVD, which presents six short videos by visual artist Pawel WypychFind albums by this artist, based on six tracks present on the CD, which visualize the music using black & white animations and collages. Penderecki´s involvement with film music is relatively less acknowledged in comparison to his large scale symphonic works, but it has always been some of the most impressive and dramatic of its kind and accompanied some of the best films by some of the most important directors, like David LynchFind albums by this artist, Stanley KubrickFind albums by this artist, Martin ScorseseFind albums by this artist, Andrzej WajdaFind albums by this artist and others. This is by far the most complex and advanced project realized to date by the duo, which shows another perspective as well as another depth of their music. The personal and artistic courage to undertake a project like this one is to be admired and encouraged. After generations of Polish Jazz repeatedly dealing with the music of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, often ad nauseam, the young and bold Polish Jazz lions discover contemporary Polish Classical music as the source of their inspiration. In 2012 the pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist released a sensational album with his interpretation of music by Maestro Penderecki ("Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title") and now this album does it again, no less boldly one may add. Other Jazz albums, for example with music by Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, were also released lately. This is definitely a refreshing trend. The music included herein is truly overwhelming. Listeners with little or no experience with electronic music or the usage of electronic effects might find it initially strange and a bit difficult, but a couple of listening sessions should break the ice. An On Bast uses an array of different sound effects to create a rich and diverse background upon which Fortuna adds his incredible trumpet passages. These two elements: the electronic and the acoustic, work perfectly together to create a deeply atmospheric musical creation, floating in the infinite sonoric space. Album after album and step after step Fortuna builds up a body of work that is most impressive and simply can not be ignored. His immense talent and versatility, as demonstrated herein in the collaboration with contemporary musical vocabulary, is awe-inspiring. The level of intellectual and emotional dialogue between these two young artists is a ray of hope in this dark age where most things seem to be simply fading out. Thank you!

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AN ON BAST / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ LIVE FM 010 (Barcode: 888174021560) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the second album by the Polish duo, which consists of ambient / electronic music artists An On BastFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) and Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten tracks which were composed and conceived by the duo, all recorded live on two different occasions. The last track is a tribute to the memory of the great Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, who died in February 2011. This album continues the direction set up by the duo´s debut album, which combines electronic / synthesized ambient vistas with trumpet solos stating the melodic elements of the music. Although not completely innovative, this music differs from most similar projects since it involves a virtuosic player like Fortuna, who is capable of lengthy and complex improvisations, keeping a clear tone and superb fluency at all times. Although this music is not very easy to listen to, requiring maximal attention blended with fruitful imagination, it speaks to a wider population of listeners than the very limited Jazz audience. Ambient / electronic music gained quite a following in the last decades and therefore there is a good chance this music might be appealing to them as well. Of course the trumpet parts played by Fortuna are the focus of this music, as the melodic sounds he produces are what the human ear is used to, much more so than the ambient sounds in the background. And yet an experienced listener quickly discovers the symbiotic relationship between these two layers, which enables the existence of one only in the presence of the other. The combined sound is dense, engaging and aesthetically pleasing, even at its darkest moments. The fact that Fortuna is engaged in this project in parallel to his numerous other, mostly Jazz oriented activities proves his diversity as an artist and his open-mindedness, which is often quite limited among other players. Overall this is a project that deserves to be heard and praised for bridging the cross-genre gaps and exploring uncharted territory. This is definitely worth investigating, especially for the more adventurous listeners, who are willing to take certain risks in order to gain new experiences.

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AN ON BAST / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ LIVE (LIMITED EDITION) FM 008 (Barcode: 888174021560) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the second album by the Polish duo, which consists of ambient / electronic music artists An On BastFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Anna SudaFind albums by this artist) and Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten tracks which were composed and conceived by the duo, all recorded live on two different occasions. The last track is a tribute to the memory of the great Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, who died in February 2011. This album continues the direction set up by the duo´s debut album, which combines electronic / synthesized ambient vistas with trumpet solos stating the melodic elements of the music. Although not completely innovative, this music differs from most similar projects since it involves a virtuosic player like Fortuna, who is capable of lengthy and complex improvisations, keeping a clear tone and superb fluency at all times. Although this music is not very easy to listen to, requiring maximal attention blended with fruitful imagination, it speaks to a wider population of listeners than the very limited Jazz audience. Ambient / electronic music gained quite a following in the last decades and therefore there is a good chance this music might be appealing to them as well. Of course the trumpet parts played by Fortuna are the focus of this music, as the melodic sounds he produces are what the human ear is used to, much more so than the ambient sounds in the background. And yet an experienced listener quickly discovers the symbiotic relationship between these two layers, which enables the existence of one only in the presence of the other. The combined sound is dense, engaging and aesthetically pleasing, even at its darkest moments. The fact that Fortuna is engaged in this project in parallel to his numerous other, mostly Jazz oriented activities proves his diversity as an artist and his open-mindedness, which is often quite limited among other players. Overall this is a project that deserves to be heard and praised for bridging the cross-genre gaps and exploring uncharted territory. This is definitely worth investigating, especially for the more adventurous listeners, who are willing to take certain risks in order to gain new experiences.

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DYS / FORTUNA / OSTROWSKI ~ THE HOLLY GOMON CRUCADE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by the Polish experimental trio comprised of Jazz pianist Krzysztof DysFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist and ambient / electronics composer Cezary OstrowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original pieces based on compositions by Ostrowski with added on improvisations by Dys and Fortuna. The music sounds like a contemporary soundtrack of a Science Fiction movie, with the ambient background serving as a base plane and the improvisations flowing in the air like autumn leaves in a park. The piano serves as sort of melodic pointer whereas the trumpet ornaments the proceedings with short almost Funky pulsations. Both Dys and Fortuna are first class improvisers and their contributions here are all top notch. The question as to the purpose of this music and its aesthetics is purely up to the listener. Ambient music lovers might find the Jazzy improvisations a tad too complex and the Jazz enthusiasts might complain about the improvisations being too short and ragged. However, when embraced for what it is, this music offers a fascinating listening experience for open minded and patient listeners, who are not looking for instant gratification. This music takes time to sink and get digested, but is definitely worth the effort. Overall, since experimentation is the essence of Art, projects like this one are potentially interesting and worthwhile, which in this case happens to work out in favor of the musicians involved. Although modestly packaged and offered as a CD-R, this is definitely worth investigating for enthusiasts of the Jazz-Ambient Fusion explorations.

Updated: 30/09/2019Posted: 30/09/2019

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ AT HOME FM 009 (Barcode: 888174080475) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, who emerges as one of the leaders of the local scene in the second decade of the 21st Century. His prolific activity as a player and recording artist is unprecedented and his rapid development as a musician and composer, as documented by his frequent recordings, is simply astounding. This album is a "home" recording in a trio format, with the same lineup that recorded Fortuna´s previous album "SahjiaFind albums with this title", which features the brilliant and by now veteran bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and the excellent drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist (of RGGFind albums by this artist fame). The material includes eleven original compositions, seven of which are by the leader and the remaining four (which are parts of a four-piece suite, the first of which features vocals by Marta PodulkaFind albums by this artist) are credited to the trio. Following a period of touring together, this trio is a prime example of team cooperation and collective effort, which results in the outcome being much more than a sum of its parts. One should hardly look at this music as a leader with a supporting rhythm section; on the contrary Fortuna puts his ego away in order to construct a unit, which performs as one. Obviously there is also plenty of superb soloing here, as appropriate for a Jazz recording; Lemanczyk plays way beyond a typical role required by a bassist; his lyricism and sublime feel of harmony create a whole layer of background sounds parallel to trumpet lines, Gradziuk hardly ever keeps time per se, using his kit as a melodic environment and less so as a rhythmic tool and Fortuna is of course phenomenal as a soloist, with a beautiful tone and breathtaking arpeggios. His playing is changing over time to become similar to the great Jazz trumpeters of the past, even somewhat similar to early Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, but much more polished technically. The most important characteristic of the wonderful music presented here is its minimalism and modesty. There is so much lyricism and melancholy in Fortuna´s compositions that they become probably the most genuine extensions of the Polish Jazz legacy that first started in the 1960s. It´s not a conscious attempt to play "retro" oriented music, au contraire it is completely up to date, and yet, at least for me, it carries on the tradition more than most other Polish Jazz ensembles do at the moment. There is also more freedom here than in Fortuna´s earlier recordings, without loosing any of the coherence and clarity his music is blessed with. This melody based Free Jazz is after all the ideal mixture of everything Jazz is all about: a perfect marriage of discipline and liberty. This is a remarkable album by all standards and it is a pleasure to follow the development of such talented Artists, who are like a tree bearing better and better fruit year after year. There is nothing else one can do but raise one´s hat in salute and hope for the next harvest. God bless you guys for sharing this music with us.

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ ILLA FM 024 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is an album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with vocalist Kamila SalachFind albums by this artist, pianist Dominik MakosaFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman ChraniukFind albums by this artist and drummer Jakub MiarczynskiFind albums by this artist. It is a Jazz & Poetry project presenting eleven songs, all composed by Fortuna, based on poems by the Polish poetess Kazimiera IllakowiczownaFind albums by this artist (Illa in short), one of the most celebrated literary figures in Poland´s interwar period, associated with the city of Poznan. Fortuna managed to create very unique musical attire to these expressive and often almost psychedelic poems, which are full of powerful metaphors, daunting imagery and macabre atmosphere. His piercing trumpet solos lead the way for the instrumental soundtrack, while Salach delivers the lyrics in a highly theatric, rather than typical vocal expressionism. Although clearly kept in a Jazz framework, these songs are first and foremost conceptually designed to emphasize the storyline of the poems. As a result, the music is somewhat detached from the Jazz idiom, but remains ideally suited for the Jazz & Poetry setting. All four instrumentalists perform the music with dedication and flair, exactly as the composer intended. The rhythm section delivers a strong, almost Rocky pulse, the piano represents the lyrical elements and the superb trumpet parts are a component of the actual storytelling, wordless but no less expressive. Overall this is another excellent example of Polish Jazz & Poetry project, which is full of great music embracing poetry. Polish Jazz seems to be enamored in this specific genre, and consistently produces superb examples of cross-Art-form marriages. Fortuna consistently continues to build up his position as one of the leading figures on the Polish Jazz scene, constantly surprising Jazz connoisseurs with his new creations. Highly recommended!

Updated: 15/09/2018Posted: 15/09/2018

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ JAZZ FM 021 (Barcode: 5903240365180) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2016 This album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist finds him returning to the trio setting, which was his favorite format during the early days of his career a few years earlier. The trio includes bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist, both musicians that Fortuna played with earlier on. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Fortuna. These compositions are all rather concise and as a result the entire album lasts only slightly above half an hour, which really means in today´s standards that it is an EP rather than a full album. The music is up to the usual Fortuna´s high class, presenting modern acoustic Jazz with little touches of electronics. The melodies are very melancholic and even somber, displaying the typical Polish Jazz tendency towards sustained tension and long lingering notes. Fortuna performs these tunes masterfully and is supported amicably by the rhythm section, which adds additional layers in parallel to the trumpet notes floating loftily above. Fortuna is a master of the trade, capable of creating atmospheric pieces full of beauty and suspense. His somewhat distorted tone makes things interesting and shows him experimenting while searching for new ways to express his Art. His prolific recording activity presents a vide scope of stylistic diversity, which is quite unique. The Polish Jazz trumpet triumvirate, which includes Fortuna, Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist, is an unprecedented phenomenon in the Jazz world. Such amount of talent and ingenuity, held by just three relatively young Master players is a clear testimony as to the vitality and unprecedented strength of the Polish Jazz scene in the last decade, especially in view of the fact that similar triumvirates could be named for other instruments. Getting an album by Fortuna is a completely risk-free deal as far as Jazz connoisseurs are concerned, and this one is no different. Although short and concise, this is a powerful statement, which should be listened to by all Polish Jazz and trumpet fans anywhere in the world.

Updated: 24/05/2016Posted: 24/05/2016

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ JAZZ FROM POLAND VOL. 1 FM 012 (Barcode: 5903240365050) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is a beautiful album by leading Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, recorded with his acoustic quartet, which also includes pianist Krzysztof DysFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. Since the album is intended as a tribute to the great Polish Jazz composers, it presents seven compositions by prominent Polish Jazz figures, such as Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist (two compositions), Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist (three compositions), Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist (one composition) and Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist (also one composition); these four representing three generations of post-WWII modern Polish Jazz musicians / composers. In the liner notes of this album Fortuna mentions the dilemma, which many Polish Jazz musicians struggle with, whether to play Jazz according to the well defined formula originally defined by the American Jazz precursors or play original music with different influences and tendencies, like those characteristic of Polish Jazz for example. This album is his answer, clearly pointing towards the originality and individual search rather than repeated replication of past formulae. Although Fortuna and his cohorts treat the compositions with a great amount of freedom and individuality, the spirit of this wonderful music, its intrinsic Polish melancholy and lyricism, are well preserved and brought from the past to contemporary musical environment. As usual on all albums by Fortuna, his trumpet performances are the focal point of the music. His virtuosic and almost superhuman abilities keep surprising his listeners with each new release and one wonders how far can he still travel from here. The three musicians playing with Fortuna on this album are also incredible by any standard. The young Dys emerges in the last couple of years as one of the leading contenders for the narrow pedestal of top Polish Jazz pianists and the rhythm section does a phenomenal job to keep up with these two "crazy" Geniuses, keeping the music swinging and pulsating, even in its most free form manifestations. Almost on every album by Fortuna that I reviewed over the years I couldn´t stop myself from drawing some parallels between Fortuna and Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist. On this album these parallels are stronger and more obvious that ever before, especially in view of the fact that Stanko played in Komeda´s ensembles and is subconsciously always associated with his music. Hearing Fortuna playing Komeda immediately brings Stanko to mind, and with deep satisfaction I can say that Fortuna bears the torch without any inferiority complexes. This is a second edition of this album, which was initially released as a limited private edition and is now released on the open market, which of course means that it should be immediately grabbed by every Polish Jazz fan, as albums of this quality do not pop in the open very often.

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ LOST KEYS FM 002 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which comprises of pianist Przemyslaw RaminiakFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and American drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist. Fortuna has been one of the recognized talents on the local Jazz scene for a few years and this recording serves as the "formal" act of entering the major league of Polish Jazz musicians. The quartet performs nine original compositions, seven of which are credited to all four band members; of the two remaining one is by the pianist and the other by the bassist. The music fits perfectly the modern Jazz mainstream, but is very interesting and aesthetic, with beautiful melodic themes and perfect arrangements. The execution is also absolutely first class, from start to finish. Most solos are performed (not surprisingly) by the leader and the pianist, but the rhythm section is firmly present throughout, playing confidently, accurately and with a lot of imagination. Pianist Raminiak is definitely one of the best among the young generation of Polish Jazz players, which erupted in the last couple of years forcing its way towards the top and his other recordings (with his RGGFind albums by this artist trio) are all worth investigating. As to the leader, his playing is both beautiful and perfect in every respect, with great sense of melody and technical proficiency. Stylistically Fortuna is still distilling and purifying his personal and unique voicing, with his many influences even now quite apparent – mostly Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and other American Bop players, but also several notable Europeans. Of course every young Polish trumpeter is expected to follow and is judged by comparison to the mentor of Polish trumpet – Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, which of course is not fair and quite absurd. Even if Fortuna should in the future lean more towards less structured music, his voice and sound will be his own, so let´s give him a fair chance. It definitely sounds as we´ll hear quite a lot about him in the future. This is definitely a brilliant debut album, which should make all the participating musicians proud. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ SAHJIA FM 007 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the third album as a leader by young Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist and also his third album as a leader or co-leader released in 2012, which definitely seems to be his breakthrough year. The album was recorded in a trio setting with the excellent rhythm section comprising of bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist (of RGGFind albums by this artist fame), recorded live during several of the trio´s performances at various venues around Poland. Six of the tunes appearing on the album were composed by Fortuna and the remaining two by Lemanczyk. There is also an unlisted bonus track, which features pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist as a guest. The album is obviously a document, capturing the trumpeter at this specific stage of his career, rather that a pre-planned studio recording, which usually is intended as a next stage in any musician´s path of continuous development. As such it is absolutely perfect in what it does, with the natural open sound, no editing and somewhat casual straightforward capture of the music, including the audience´s reaction. Clearly the music is at the center here and everything else is superfluous. The most striking effect of these recordings is the importance of the teamwork, which is absolutely stunning. This is not a leader / sidemen situation, as all three players contribute equally to the overall result at all stages. These players are undoubtedly virtuosi on their respective instruments, as anybody familiar with the Polish Jazz scene already knows, but in this situation the trio is definitely much more powerful than the sum of its respective ingredients. Also the musical ambience prevailing on these recordings is significantly more free and open than on the earlier recordings by Fortuna, which enables him and his cohorts to take off and hover above the earthly plane defined by the basic melody and chord changes. With the support of this specific rhythm section, the possibilities seem to completely unlimited. In addition to the leader´s soloing, which of course is the albums focal point, both the bassist and the drummer solo extensively, turning the music into a spectacular listening experience, full of emotional fireworks and uplifting displays of sheer musical delight. We should be grateful that Fortuna decided to capture this music for posterity, as it would have simply faded out into the past leaving those, who didn´t attend these concerts, without the opportunity to enjoy its glory. Fortuna is definitely a player to be watched closely in the future. With 2012 behind us the future looks decisively very bright for him, and his position at the center of the local scene seems to be ensured. He deserves to be recognized worldwide and hopefully this will be the next stage of his career. In the meantime a big thank you for a wonderful musical 2012 - Well done indeed!

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ SOLAR RING FM 005 (Barcode: 5907529223499) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the 2nd album as a leader by the young Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with the excellent Polish bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and US drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist, who took part in Fortuna´s debut recording. All the music on the album is original and of the nine compositions present Fortuna composed six, Lemanczyk two and one is a Lemanczyk / Parker co-composition. The music is quite excellent and although kept within the boundaries of modern mainstream Jazz, it often sounds unusual as far as the tonality and rhythmic approach are concerned, incorporating World-Music elements in both areas. The fact that Fortuna decided to create the album in the difficult trumpet trio format proves his self-confidence, which fortunately is fully justified. The trio format works perfectly here and suffers nothing from the lack of an accompanying harmonic instrument. The individual performances by all three musicians are first class from start to finish. Lemanczyk uses a full-body tone with a lot of pulsating vibrato, which is perfect for this setting and Parker ornaments the music rather than keeping time, which is done mostly by the bass. Fortuna´s playing is inspired and technically excellent. His lyricism, expressed primarily by his flugelhorn solos, is the highlight of his playing, but his up-tempo trumpet excursions are exciting and quite electrifying as well. Perhaps he is not quite there yet, as far as building his completely unique voice on the trumpet, but such a process takes many years and Fortuna has, after all, all the future ahead of him. Overall the album presents Fortuna as a maturing player / composer, who is sure to occupy a center-stage position on the vigorous Polish Jazz scene in the years to come. If the level of excellence, as documented here, as well as the refinement of his personal voice will continue on the path he has already travelled on, his success is guaranteed. This album should prove a source of joy to all trumpet aficionados, and Jazz buffs in general, and is of course wholeheartedly recommended. Satisfaction guaranteed!

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ ZOSKA FM 020 (Barcode: 5903240365166) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist is consistently building a reputation for himself both on the artistic and professional level; he releases his own records, he develops international collaborations with other musicians, he is active in social networking and organization and so on. In addition he manages to create some superb music on the way and keeps establishing his position in the top echelon of Polish Jazz trumpeters. For a young musician this is definitely very impressive. Modern Polish Jazz is characterized, among other things, by amalgamation of Polish Folklore motifs with jazz. Such approach enjoyed a lot of popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, when it had its political significance as well, and now, in the second decade of the 21st Century it seems to be in full bloom again. Many top Polish Jazz musicians, like Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist, High Definition QuartetFind albums by this artist (which also features Orzechowski), Marcin MaseckiFind albums by this artist and many others, recorded albums based on this concept Fortuna adds his valuable contribution to this wonderful multicultural puzzle. In this case, similar to what Wojtczak did, Fortuna recorded the music with a quartet which except for him features an all American lineup: saxophonist Mack GoldsburyFind albums by this artist, bassist Erik UnsworthFind albums by this artist and drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, six of which are traditional Polish Folklore songs / dances and four are original compositions, all by Fortuna, composed especially for this project. Wojtczak´s album proved that American Jazz musicians can play Polish folklore-based music quite brilliantly and this album does it again. Goldsbury, Unsworth and Parker are all up to the challenge and honestly they play better on this album than on any album I have heard them play earlier on, which of course shows that when seriously challenged, musicians often perform better that usual. As Fortuna says, and I quote: "Following decades of Polish Jazz musicians playing American Jazz, it´s time for American Jazz musicians to play Polish Jazz". I couldn´t agree more. The music is a Jazz-World Fusion project, but only well trained listeners will be able to recognize the exact origins of the tunes used here, both on the melodic and rhythmic layer. Fortuna´s originals fit in excellently to the overall sound and become an organic part of the project. Fortuna is the main soloist of course, but all the members of the quartet have plenty of opportunity to show their chops and the overall level of musicianship is superb. Polish Jazz connoisseurs and enthusiast of Jazz-World Fusion explorations should enjoy this album immensely. All I can do is to urge everybody to give it a try ASAP, as it is definitely worth everybody´s attention. Well done, as usual!

Updated: 07/03/2016Posted: 07/03/2016

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MACIEJ FORTUNA / KRZYSZTOF DYS ~ MACIEJEWSKI VARIATIONS DUX 1151 (Barcode: 5902547011516) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the second album by the Polish Jazz duo: trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist and pianist Krzysztof DysFind albums by this artist. However, in contrast to their debut release, which featured their original Jazz oriented compositions, this album is dedicated to the works of the great but sadly little known 20th Century Polish composer Roman MaciejewskiFind albums by this artist. Maciejewski, who spent most of his adult life outside of Poland, was only recently re-discovered by the Polish Classical music scene and now apparently also beyond the strict circle of Classical connoisseurs. The album includes thirteen variations of themes composed by Maciejewski, three of which appear here as premiere recordings. The themes serve as departure points for the various variations, in which Fortuna and Dys add their own layers of both improvisational and compositional extensions. The sensitive dialogue between the two musicians is the key element herein, being far more significant than the interpretation of the composed themes and yet it respectfully pays homage to the original music. The performances of both players are of course virtuosic and elegant, which can only be expected in view of their previous recording legacy. Fortuna´s trumpet playing is this time much "cleaner" than his somewhat "coarse" sound he uses in the Jazz idiom. Dys also sounds closer to Classical piano approach than on his previous recordings, which of course is quite natural in this case, as the music created here is only remotely related to what is usually associated with Jazz, at least for the majority of the audiences. The music emerges really beyond genre specifics and limitations, being simply wonderfully crafted and aesthetically fulfilling, which is what great music is supposed to be. Fortuna and Dys prove that a passionate dialogue between two Master musicians can be more effective than an entire orchestra, which is playing plainly. Their mutual respect and understanding border on telepathy and often they sound like a one-man-band, driven by one common mind. One may wonder why so many Polish Jazz musicians chose to deal with music that bridges Classical roots with Jazz? There is no clear answer to this profound question, but perhaps the new artistic music emerging in the 21st Century is simply eradicating the genre boundaries that enslaved it in the last Century? Only time will tell. In the meantime we have here another sublime piece of music, which easily qualifies as one of the most interesting achievements on the Polish music scene in 2014, which this duo manages to pull off second time in a row. This is something that an honest music connoisseur should definitely not try and live without, if life is supposed to have a meaning.

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MACIEJ FORTUNA / KRZYSZTOF DYS ~ TROPY FM 011 (Barcode: 888174340111) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the debut recording by the Polish Jazz duo comprising of trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist and pianist Krzysztof DysFind albums by this artist. Fortuna is a relatively new arrival on the local scene, but his prolific and outstanding achievements in the last few years are so impressive, that he immediately emerged as a serious candidate to become a member in the very exclusive club of top Polish Jazz musicians. Dys, with a slightly longer presence on the scene is primarily known as a member of the wonderful SoundcheckFind albums by this artist quartet. The album includes seven original compositions all co-composed by the duo, and was recorded inside a church, which adds a wonderful ambience to the recording. From the opening notes of this album, any listener familiar with the Polish Jazz scene is immediately transferred a few decades into the past, when the Polish Jazz scene was majestically emerging in the late 1960s as one of the most important Jazz World centers. A young trumpeter named Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist was one of the great hopes of that scene and in years to come he evolved into one of the top World Jazz Masters. Fortuna´s playing evokes exactly the same feelings and emotions, which early Stanko recordings stirred then. The same vibrato, staccato, tone and even melodic motifs are present here, with the same intensity, expressiveness and brilliance. Also the unusual setting of a trumpet / piano duo has been utilized by Stanko some thirty years earlier on the album "KorozjeFind albums with this title" recorded with pianist Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist. Of course the tonal similarity does not imply, not even in the slightest, that this is a form of replication or copying pre-existing music. On the contrary, this music, in spite of the fact that it brings up fond memories of great music from the past, is completely and utterly original. Fortuna and Dys, who emerges as a wonderful co-creator, manage to create a world of their own, where the combination of the two spirits turns out to become greater that the sum of its ingredients. The music portrays a rare affinity between musicians who shift lead responsibilities between themselves, compliment each other with great sensitivity, respect each other´s space and individuality and above all communicate. Consequently this is not only an example of great music but also a living proof of camaraderie and musical co-existence of the highest level. This album is surely one of the strongest releases on the Polish Jazz scene in 2013 and a candidate to the "classic" status in the days to come. It is also probably the strongest statement made so far by Fortuna, although all his recordings to date are simply excellent. I´d even go as far as saying that I wish Maestro Stanko would return to playing music like this one… This album is an absolute must to every Polish / European Jazz connoisseur!

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MACK GOLDSBURY ~ LIVE AT COCO`S CADENCE JAZZ 1245 (Barcode: 786497583027) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This album presents a live recording by a quintet, which comprises of four American Jazz players: saxophonist Mack GoldsburyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Shaun MahoneyFind albums by this artist, bassist Erik UnsworthFind albums by this artist and drummer Ricky MalichiFind albums by this artist and also features the Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The American players are pretty anonymous, but Fortuna is very well known on the Polish Jazz scene in the last couple of years and made several recordings as a leader, co-leader and sideman recently. The album includes seven compositions, two of which are standards, two are by Mahoney and the remaining three are by Goldsbury, Unsworth and Fortuna contributing one composition each. The recording quality is quite good and the music has a worm ambience and a clearly defined sound. Stylistically the music is straightforward American mainstream, which of course in not very exhilarating. Fortunately Mahoney plays some really great and sensitive guitar and Fortuna blows beautifully, as always, being by far the best musician in the quintet and his composition is the most ambitious of the original compositions present herein. There is very little innovation or ambitious improvisation here, with the quintet sticking to the melody like flies to honey, which of course is hardly surprising. To put things in the right perspective, this is a respectable showcase of mainstream Jazz, which simply becomes sort of "not very exciting" after a while. Of course it´s very educational for Fortuna to play with American Jazz musicians, as Jazz in Poland sounds pretty different in most cases. Dues have to be paid and these cats can swing. So no harm done and Fortuna gets another album in his discography, where he shows off his chops. Would I pay money to buy this music? Sorry… I´d have probably enjoyed the evening at the club when this music was recorded, but not much beyond. But hey, that´s just me, if you like mainstream Jazz, this ain´t bad at all.

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MACK GOLDSBURY / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ ACTIVE RUSH FM 014 ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 - 2013 Released: 2013 This album presents a collection of six live and one studio recordings by the American Jazz quartet led by saxophonist Mack GoldsburyFind albums by this artist and including guitarist Shaun MahoneyFind albums by this artist, bassist Erik UnsworthFind albums by this artist and drummer Ricky MalichiFind albums by this artist, which also features as a guest soloist the excellent Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. This quintet recorded and released a couple of albums earlier on. The album presents seven original compositions, five by Mahoney and one each by Goldsbury and Fortuna. I have never managed to figure out why Fortuna plays with this quartet, which is an epitome of American mainstream, devoid of any ambition or interest. He is by far a much more talented and skillful player than any of his partners herein and the music he plays with his own ensembles is infinitely more interesting and far-reaching. However, since this is his choice, we should respect it and decide if we want to listen to it or not. Of course American mainstream spiced up by a brilliant trumpeter can not be all that bad and many Jazz listeners can enjoy this music in full. These are decent tunes and the playing is professional and vigorous, so there is plenty to like if you are into that kind of Jazz. Personally I´d rather wait for the next "proper" recording by Fortuna.

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MACK GOLDSBURY / POLISH CONNECTION ~ SALT MINERS BLUES FM 004 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is a live recording by an American / Polish quintet featuring two veteran US Jazz musicians (both resident in Germany): saxophonist / composer Mack GoldsburyFind albums by this artist and pianist Reggie MooreFind albums by this artist with three young Polish Jazz players: trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, bassist Krzysztof CiesielskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman SlefarskiFind albums by this artist. They perform eight original compositions; four by Goldsbury, three by Moore and one by Fortuna. The music, although original, is pretty standard mainstream Jazz, undistinguishable from myriad of other similar tunes, with the exception of the sole composition by Fortuna, which is more ambitious and stands out as the only piece which is less constrained stylistically and even has a glimpse of freely improvised moments. After listening to the album for a while it becomes quite apparent that Fortuna is by far the best player in the quintet, with the two Americans simply being mundane and overall unimpressive. It is possible that the informal atmosphere of the recording and the proximity to New Year´s festivities made everybody less careful and attentive, as the entire set sounds a bit disorganized. The recording quality is also pretty lax, which does not improve the overall result. Obviously a learning experience for the young Fortuna, who in the meantime proved himself to be one of the most impressive young lions of Polish Jazz, this is definitely not one his finest moments.

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WOJCIECH JACHNA / JACEK BUHL ~ PANJABU MONOTYPE ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz duo consisting of trumpeter Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist (Contemporary Noise SextetFind albums by this artist, Sing Sing PenelopeFind albums by this artist) and drummer Jacek BuhlFind albums by this artist (SyfonFind albums by this artist, GlabulatorFind albums by this artist). It presents eleven original compositions, all co-composed by the duo members. The music is beautifully innovative and embodies a new sub-genre of the thriving Polish Jazz scene, which combines the tradition of trumpet / drums duos combined and expanded here with electronic and ambient sound vistas. A somewhat similar approach to music was also adopted a few years later by the An On BastFind albums by this artist / Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist duo, which shares many sonic similarities with this duo. This music consists of expanded melodic themes developed by the trumpet and accompanied harmonically and rhythmically by the ambient electronic background and the drum parts. This approach seems to offer a wide plane of new possibilities, with are just being discovered lately. Such recordings like this one emphasize the vitality and the constant drive of the young Polish Jazz musicians to innovate and discover new possibilities, rather than stay on the beaten track of mainstream Jazz, which is probably the most important characteristic of the entire scene. Of course Jachna and Buhl already demonstrated their creativity and pioneering spirit as members of other ensembles they played with, but their work in this duo is the most impressive in that respect. Their next album as a duo ("Niedokonczone KsiazkiFind albums with this title"), recoded a year later, brought this wonderful concept to perfection. Sadly this album is relatively quite anonymous and known mostly to a small number of Polish Jazz Avant Garde fans, which is a pity. It is definitely worth searching for and deserves an honorable place in any serious Polish Jazz collection, especially for people following new trends and bold pioneering progress.

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted:

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JERZY MILIAN ~ MUSIC FOR MR. FORTUNA SJP 002 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a very unusual album in every respect and a wonderful illustration of the diversity, ingenuity and continued tradition of the Polish Jazz scene. It features nine original compositions by veteran Polish Jazz composer / vibraphonist Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, one of the legendary Godfathers of the local scene, including a two part composition which gave this album its title, which the composer created especially for the great upcoming Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. Both Milian and Fortuna hail from the city of Poznan. The album also features an unconventional packaging in a form of a triangle, which easily wins the title of most awkwardly packaged album in recent times. The music is performed by a quartet, which includes Fortuna on trumpet, pianist Krzysztof DysFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist, which is occasionally also supported by a string quartet. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, full of typical Milian´s melancholy and lyricism, which have always characterized his compositions. The execution is also rather constrained, fully delivering the beautiful melodic themes and elegantly incorporating the gentle quartet string arrangements. It is the most "conventional" album by Fortuna as of late, which emphasizes his deep respect for the Jazz tradition at its best. The personal performances are, as expected, top notch. The music does not push Fortuna to exhibit the full power of his virtuosic abilities, but it definitely shows his elegance and finesse as a mainstream player. Dys is as masterly as always, here playing mostly the electric piano with great taste and his typical sense of humor. Mielcarek supports the soloists amicably and his strong pulse is the platform upon which the music moves forward. Jarosz keeps respectfully in the background, delicately adding his rhythmic support. The title track (in two parts) is the most complex and advanced piece of music on this album and shows the full power of the quartet and the individual abilities at their best. But overall this is a very nice musical adventure which should be enjoyed by all Polish Jazz fans and the many followers of Fortuna. The music is available as a free downloadable mobile app and of course is definitely recommended!

Updated: 14/03/2017Posted: 14/03/2017

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JERZY MILIAN ~ OSTATNIA KOMPOZYCJA SJP 007 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the third installment of the project dedicated to the music by and the memory of the iconic Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, carried out by trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. Milian, who died in 2018, cooperated during the last years of his life with young musician from his hometown of Poznan, and even wrote new compositions for them, the first of which was released as part of the first installment of this project called "Music For Mr. FortunaFind albums with this title". Two further compositions: "Dylematy Dla Pieciu" and "Konsylium Z Zyrafa", both of which are multi-part suites, are released here for the first time. The music is performed by top Polish Jazz musicians: trumpeter Maciej Fortuna, saxophonist Maciej KocinskiFind albums by this artist, trombonist Piotr BanysFind albums by this artist, pianist Kuba StankiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub MielcarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Stanislaw AleksandrowiczFind albums by this artist. On two additional tracks Milian plays vibraphone accompanied by symphony orchestra conducted by Grzegorz StasiukFind albums by this artist, who also created the orchestral arrangements. "Konsylium Z Zyrafa" was the last composition by Milian completed before his death, hence the album´s title. The music is everything one might expect from Milian, as far as the compositions are concerned, and from the musicians as far as execution is concerned. Milian was always a master of atmosphere; ad his compositions here confirm his reputation. Fortuna and his cohorts play brilliantly, as expected. Overall this is another piece in the hyper-sized puzzle of Milian´s legacy, which proves his importance as one of the leading European Jazz composers and trendsetters. The album is an absolute must to Milian´s avid fans and completists of his recorded legacy. Although only slightly above half an hour in playing time, it fully justifies to be a part of any serious Polish Jazz collection.

Updated: 18/01/2020Posted: 18/01/2020

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JERZY MILIAN / MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ BIG CLUB BAND SJP 006 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the second installment of the project dedicated to the music by and the memory of the iconic Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, carried out trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist. The music is performed by the re-activated Poznanska Pietnastka OrchestraFind albums by this artist (The Poznan Fifteen Orchestra), which was originally co-founded by Milian, in his hometown as a Radio Orchestra and for which he wrote many original compositions. The re-activated Orchestra under the artistic direction of Fortuna consists of young generation Polish Jazz musicians. The album presents seven compositions by Milian and two compositions by Andrzej ZielinskiFind albums by this artist, all arranged and orchestrated by Iwona WitekFind albums by this artist. The music Milian composed for the Poznanska Pietnastka Radiowa at the time was not intended to be Jazz oriented but was basically instrumental entertainment music, which was more ambitious than simplistic popular music. The new arrangements stay more or less faithful to the originals but are slightly more Jazzed up and feature more Jazz oriented soloing. Overall this is only marginally Jazz oriented music, but the album is a nice gesture towards Milian and his contribution to Polish Jazz and Polish music in general and an educational enterprise to get young Jazz musician involved in Big Band / Orchestral music, which is almost completely absent from the contemporary scene. For people interested in the career of Jerzy Milian and his compositions, this is a welcome reminder of his mostly forgotten and hard to find early works. This album is not a commercial release and as such might be not so easy to find, but its historical and educational values are obvious. It follows the same unusual triangular design, unpractical for storage, but nevertheless very unique.

Updated: 31/12/2018Posted: 31/12/2018

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SWITCH ON QUINTET ~ OUR CAR WILL NEVER STOP FM 003 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is an excellent debut album by Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion Switch On QuintetFind albums by this artist which comprises of young musicians making their early stepson the local scene: trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marcin KajperFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jakub KujawaFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal RybkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Bogumil RomanowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform eleven original compositions, four by Romanowski, three by Fortuna, three by Kajper / Kujawa and the remaining one by Kajper. Keyboardist Michal SzlempoFind albums by this artist guests on selected tracks. The music is a superb fresh approach to Fusion, which balances the Jazzy sound and feel of the brass with the Rocky sound and feel of the electric guitar, which although reminiscent of the legendary ChicagoFind albums by this artist, is completely up to date and kicks ass like mad. To be perfectly honest I haven´t heard such great Fusion in a very long time and this album is real treat. What a pity it remains almost completely obscure. These young Polish cats could teach a thing or two to all those wannabe American Fusion players, who constantly flood the marked with Fusion garbage. As usual on the Polish scene the level of virtuosity displayed by the musicians is astounding, especially in view of their age. Fortuna´s fiery solos soar through the air with incredible intensity, Kujawa´s distorted guitar rips the air and its Bluesy undertones break your heart and Kajper´s saxophone (especially the soprano) twist and turn like a snake on acid. The rhythm section kicks exactly when and where needed, keeping the ride right on time and your feet tapping uncontrollably. Honestly this is one of the best Fusion albums I´ve heard in a long time and an absolute joyous musical ride, highly recommended to all Fusion heads out there. Fortuna, who since recording this album produces already a plethora of superb Jazz and other music, shows here his incredible versatility and I hope he´ll return to play his chops in a Fusion environment again. Not to be missed!

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ TRIBUTE TO ANDRZEJ PRZYBIELSKI VOL.1 SJP 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a criminally overdue tribute album to the Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist (born 1944), who died in 2011, recorded by an ensemble which features six Polish Jazz trumpeters: Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist (born 1982), Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist (1972), Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist (1976), Tomasz KudykFind albums by this artist (1976), Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist (1985) and Maurycy WojcinskiFind albums by this artist (1988), i.e. mostly members of the middle aged and young generation of the Polish Jazz scene. The ensemble also features a rhythm section which comprises of guitarist Jakub KujawaFind albums by this artist, bassist Grzegorz NadolnyFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz DaronFind albums by this artist. Together they perform four compositions by Przybielski and three collectively improvised pieces. The album also includes a conversation with Przybielski recorded in 2007 at the legendary Mozg club in Bydgoszcz, Przybielski´s home town, which also includes fragments of his performances. The recording and the release of this album was the initiative of Fortuna, who felt an obligation to document and commemorate Przybielski´s contribution to Polish Jazz, which is of course highly praiseworthy. However it is difficult to ignore the fact that Przybielski died a dissolute, lonely, sick, neglected and forgotten man, which left a huge black stain on the Polish Jazz scene. Not less significant is the absence on this album of the top Polish Jazz trumpeters of his generation, which painfully emphasizes the fact that Przybielski never received the recognition he so much deserved from his contemporaries and was mostly adored and respected by musician much younger than himself. His life´s story is a classic epos of Avant-Garde being denied recognition at its peak only to be recognized in the aftermath. Personally I had the pleasure of knowing Przybielski and working with him on several projects in the 1980s, being immediately convinced that he is the most interesting Polish Jazz trumpeter on the local scene at that time. My admiration for his work never ceased, being only rekindled following the tragic news of his death. With all respect to the actual music present on this album, which is very good, it is only secondary to the very existence of this project. Thanks and salutations are of course due to Fortuna and the many people who made this project possible and which, as the Vol.1 suggests, will be continued in the future. There are many fascinating moments on this album, some superb trumpet passages and solos, great group improvisations and so on. The musical concept is however a bit unclear, as far as I am concerned. Also the idea of six trumpeters playing together, as potentially interesting as it might appear is less effective in reality in my opinion. Perhaps a collection of pieces featuring prominently just one trumpeter or at most two, playing in turn might have been more effective? But these are just matters of personal taste. Of course all these trumpeters can play and they do play well, but as far as a tribute is concerned, the music is supposed to be spiritually convergent to the music of the subject to whom the tribute is dedicated, which, as already mentioned above, is not really apparent herein. But all things considered, this is a very important album, not only for its music but primarily for what it symbolizes, for its historical importance and for the example it sets. As such it is undoubtedly a major event and a great success!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 15/11/2016

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ TRIBUTE TO ANDRZEJ PRZYBIELSKI VOL.2 SJP 004 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is second volume of the wonderful project which pays tribute to the great Polish Jazz trumpeter Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist, who died in 2011. Six relatively young but already established Polish Jazz trumpeters: Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist, Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist, Tomasz KudykFind albums by this artist, Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist and Maurycy WojcinskiFind albums by this artist and a rhythm section comprising of guitarist Jakub KujawaFind albums by this artist, bassist Grzegorz NadolnyFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz DaronFind albums by this artist perform five pieces, three of which are original compositions by Przybielski, one is a long improvised piece (over half an hour in duration) and the last is the bugle call of Bydgoszcz, the home town of Przybielski. A DVD filmed during the premiere of the first volume of this album is also included. The music is of course a continuation of the content of the first album and readers wishing to read more about the historical background and Przybielski´s contribution to Polish Jazz are invited to read my review of that album and other albums by Przybielski. By a weird coincidence I am writing these words just a few days following the death of Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, the Polish Jazz Colossus. The many parallels, stylistically and otherwise, and of course great differences between these two trumpeters is one of the most fascinating stories of Polish Jazz, definitely worth a book on the subject. Beyond the music per se, these two albums are an important glimpse into Polish Jazz history and an effort to bring Przybielski into the awareness of the Polish Jazz fans, which he sadly almost completely missed during his lifetime. They also show the will of the young generation of Polish Jazz players to continue the tradition and remember the idiom´s heroes. For Polish Jazz fans this is definitely something they should have in their collections. Hats off to all the people who contributed to this project and made it happen.

Updated: 01/08/2018Posted: 01/08/2018

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ TRIBUTE TO KOMEDA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 There is no doubt that the legendary figure of pianist / composer / bandleader Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, the Godfather of Polish Jazz, is still very much present on the local scene, more than forty years after his untimely and tragic death. Komeda´s charisma, mystique, prophetic vision and above all his extraordinary talent as a composer keep his legacy alive generation after generation, with his musical heritage being passed on to the upcoming young Polish Jazz artists, as an integral part of the modern Polish Culture. In the scope of those forty plus years since Komeda´s death the Polish Jazz scene produced a plethora of recordings, concerts, festivals and other events dedicated to his memory. As a result the idea of commemorating Komeda has been overexploited and often even abused by lesser quality attempts, which result in blemishing his memory rather than uphold it. Fortunately this album is definitely not one of those damaging efforts; on the contrary, it offers many new and fascinating discoveries, as well as thrilling interpretations by excellent musicians, which treat the music with respect and obvious admiration. The album includes ten Komeda compositions, performed by several different ensembles: pianist Janusz OlejniczakFind albums by this artist with Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and his quintet (drummer Krzysztof PrzybylowiczFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr WrombelFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Karol SzymanowskiFind albums by this artist) with actor Kamil MackowiakFind albums by this artist, the duo of saxophonist Andrzej OlejniczakFind albums by this artist and pianist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist, the duo of tuba player Zdzislaw PiernikFind albums by this artist and synthesizer player Tadeusz SudnikFind albums by this artist and finally solo piano performances by Lena LedoffFind albums by this artist. Such diverse settings are an ideal vehicle to present the diversity of Komeda´s music and the endless possibilities, in which it can me expressed and interpreted. All the performances are truly superb, moving and deeply engaging and pay a fitting homage to Komeda´s heritage. My personal preferences are the trumpet pats by Maciej Fortuna, the incomparable piano playing of my friend Wladyslaw Sendecki and the solo piano pieces by Ledoff. But each and every musician participating in this recording deserves full admiration and respect. The quality of these live recordings in not ideal, but neither is life, so true music lovers can certainly live with it and enjoy it immensely. The most interesting two pieces on this album are the early Komeda Jazz & Poetry compositions to poems by Jerzy S. Sito, known mainly for his work as translator, who died in 2011. Komeda´s involvement with the Jazz & Poetry movement, presented by him during the 1960 Jazz Jamboree festival, is one of the most fascinating, but sadly neglected, milestones of his career. The two pieces were restored from Komeda´s notes by the great vibraphonist / composer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, who was a member of Komeda´s group in the late 1950s. Honestly that entire program simply screams for proper restoration work. Overall this is a superb piece of music, which is worthy of an honorable place in any serious Polish Jazz music collection and should be of interest to the many Komeda followers all over the world. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

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