Record Reviews

MARCIN JANEK / EXTRADITION QUINTET ~ MOVIN` ON ALLEGRO 042 (Barcode: 5901157049421) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist and his Extradition QuintetFind albums by this artist, which also includes trumpeter Piotr SzlempoFind albums by this artist, pianist Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maksymilian KreftFind albums by this artist. Veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist and the owner of AllegroFind albums on this label Records, which released this album, Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, guests on one track. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Janek. The music is all within the mainstream modern Jazz idiom, but the level of the compositions and the splendid performances turn it into a most enjoyable listening experience from start to finish. The quintet comprises of a mixed bag of musicians, as far as recording experience is concerned, but the seamless flow and diversity of these players speaks volumes as to the level of the young Polish Jazz scene, which of course is hardly a secret to those familiar with the scene. As already mentioned above, the level of the compositions is the most surprising element on this album, since each and every one of the seven tunes is an immediate candidate for sounding like a Jazz standard, creating a warm feeling of familiarity in the listener’s sub consciousness. The leader offers some passionate soprano saxophone soloing of snake-charming fluidity and no less impressive work on the tenor saxophone. Sadly, he plays the flute sparingly, which is a pity, as this beautiful instrument get sadly very little exposure lately. The rhythm section passes with flying colors, with Kisiel, an already proven charmer, providing excellent harmonic accompaniment, “almost veteran” Urowski is excellent, as always, and Kreft, whom I know from only one previous recording, is certainly a drummer worth watching. Overall this is a heartwarming album, which proves that the Jazz tradition is being well preserved by the young Polish players, and kept up to date with contemporary approach and that the new generation is able to compose wonderful European Jazz, which no inferiority complex. Well done by all of you Gentlemen!

Updated: 03/08/2021Posted: 03/08/2021

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CEZARY PACIOREK ~ EMIL: LIVE AT RADIO GDANSK SOLITON 944 (Barcode: 5901571099446) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz accordionist / composer Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist recorded live in a quintet setting with clarinetist Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist, violist Filip KowalskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist. The project is a tribute to the clarinetist / composer Emil KowalskiFind albums by this artist, who passed unexpectedly in 2008 and who was a lifetime friend and musical partner of Paciorek. Kowalski was a prominent Jazz-Classical and Jazz-World Fusion activist and a much loved personality on the Polish Baltic Tricity scene. The majority of the music on this album was composed by Paciorek but includes also two Classical pieces arranged by Kowalski and a medley of standards. The music offers a pretty diverse collection of melodic Jazz tunes with both World and Classical Music influences, as expected by the project´s objective, performed completely acoustically, offering a fresh and immediate sound rarely found on albums today. The sound of the live recording is clear and well defined, with the bass a bit too high and the drums too low in the mix, but nothing that would spoil the fun of listening to the music. The compositions by Paciorek are all solid, with a tinge of melancholy always present. The performances are professional, as expected from these experienced musicians, with Paciorek delivering his virtuosic solo parts, which are the heart of the entire project. But Filip Kowalski (the son of the late Emil Kowalski) and Janek also deliver some splendid soloing. The rhythm section is up to par with the three soloists and provides a steady, reliable and tasteful backing. Overall this is a nice collegial gesture which honors a memory of a friend musician, who deserves to be remembered, as much as a pleasant musical venture, which can be enjoyed by a wide audience of Jazz and around listeners.

Updated: 10/08/2019Posted: 10/08/2019

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ A`FREAK-KOMEDA PROJECT ALLEGRO 029 (Barcode: 5901157049292) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the second album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and his A`Freak-aN ProjectFind albums by this artist ensemble, which consists of a four saxophones front line: Staroniewicz on tenor, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist on tenor, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist on baritone and Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist on soprano. The extended rhythm section includes vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist, drummer Roman SlefarskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Larry Okey UgwuFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to the music of Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and four of the six tracks presented here were composed by Komeda, and the remaining two are original composition by Staroniewicz, who also arranged all the music. The African influences on this album, similarly to its predecessor, are relatively subtle and are wisely intertwined with the Jazz content, being felt primarily on the rhythmic plane and the overall atmosphere of the music. As a result this music is still very much mainstream Jazz, and not overtly a Jazz-World Fusion, although African spirit is present during the entire proceedings. The arrangements of Komeda´s tunes work all very nicely, which on one hand proves that Komeda´s music is completely universal, and on the other that Staroniewicz and his colleagues do a great job here, lovingly and respectfully treating the creations of the great composer. The two originals by Staroniewicz ale also first rate tunes, fitting the overall atmosphere of the album. The four saxophones section plays both superb ensemble arrangements and inspired individual solos, which are a true delight. Bukowski is also excellent, as usual, as is the solid rhythm section, which simply does a perfect job here. The level of instrumental work on this album is highly professional and full of joy and elegance. Altogether this is a superb mainstream Jazz album, which features great music, intelligent arrangements and perfect execution. The almost impossible task of saying something innovative in relation to Komeda´s music was successfully achieved here as well. Therefore hopefully as many Jazz fans as possible will decide to check out this beautiful little gem and share its gift of music. Once again I´d like to say that the graphic design of this album, which continues its predecessor´s idea, is among the most elegant and eye-catching album designs on the Polish Jazz market.

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ / A`FREAK-AN PROJECT ~ LIVE IN GDANSK ALLEGRO 038 (Barcode: 5901157049384) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2019 This is the third album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and his A`Freak-aN ProjectFind albums by this artist ensemble, which is an octet featuring a saxophone quartet and an extended rhythm section: Staroniewicz on tenor, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist on tenor, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist on baritone, Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist on soprano, Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist on vibraphone, Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist on bass, Roman SlefarskiFind albums by this artist on drums and Larry Okey UgwuFind albums by this artist on percussion. The album, which was recorded live at Radio Gdansk, presents seven compositions, two of which are originals by Staroniewicz, four are by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and one is by McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, all arranged by Staroniewicz. This album is in fact a live version of the previous album by the ensemble from 2015, called "A`Freak-Komeda ProjectFind albums with this title", except for the Tyner track. Therefore basically everything I wrote about that album applies also here – just click on the link. As Staroniewicz says on the album´s artwork, this album is a great opportunity to compare the same music recorded in studio and live, which of course can be very different. The live concert setting offers much more dynamics and excitement and expanded improvisations, but is prone to minor "mishaps", which in retrospect are usually simply charming. Since the Komeda arrangements are really very special, I recommend to Polish Jazz enthusiasts to put their hands on this album as well and compare these versions with the studio ones, and enjoy a great live album with excellent musicians on board.

Updated: 14/01/2020Posted: 14/01/2020

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