Record Reviews

MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO ~ EN ATTENDANT ECM 2677 (Barcode: 602438100057) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is the 6th album by the Polish Jazz trio led by pianist / composer Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, which also includes bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, three of which are parts of the same composition / improvisation cycle co-composed by all three members of the trio, one is by Wasilewski, one by Carla BleyFind albums by this artist, one by Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist and finally one by The DoorsFind albums by this artist. Although the album was released well over two years ago, somehow a copy never landed on my desk until my recent visit in Warsaw, where I attended a concert by the trio and got a copy of the album, autographed by the musicians, following a chat in the dressing room. Life is hectic and with pandemics, wars and political upheavals, anything can happen… Together for well over two decades, the trio is not only one of the most firmly established Polish / European Jazz entities, but also a superb example of the unifying force of a stable Artistic environment. Three great and highly creative individuals, who are able to function like a multi-headed organism, in perfect symbiosis. The music on this album is the most serene, delicate, contemplative and melodic collection of sounds that the trio created since a long time. In perfect contrast to the havoc surrounding my life at present, this is a perfect balsam for the soul, exactly what the doctor prescribed. As far as a classic Jazz piano trio is concerned, these are but a few better examples of the harmony, not only musical but also spiritual, that can be achieved within this format, going as far back as the Bill Evans / Scott LaFaro / Paul Motian trio, with an up to date musical format of course, which includes shades of Free Improvisation entwined within the proceedings. Overall, this is a truly Masterful piece of contemporary Jazz, one of Wasilewski & Co. best recordings and an absolute must for all Polish / European Jazz enthusiasts. A minimalist outing, with the “less is more” mantra at helm, this album is an immediate classic!

Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 29/12/2023

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MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO ~ FAITHFUL ECM 2208 (Barcode: 602527591056) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is the second album released on the ECMFind albums on this label label by the great Polish piano trio, led by pianist / composer Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist with bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. The trio used to be called Simple Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist and released several albums under that name before someone (at ECM?) decided to put the leader´s name up front, which seems hardy fair or appropriate after so many years they played together under that name. But setting such trivia as marketing tactics and ego trips aside, the music made by these wonderful musicians is as usual outstanding. Of the ten tracks present here, Wasilewski composed five and the others are by such diverse composers as Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist or the German composer Hanns EislerFind albums by this artist. The music is played with flair and panache, but slightly lacks the adventurous streak I personally always look for. One might have thought that after years of playing with Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, some of his magic would have rubbed off. Nevertheless both technically and emotionally this is as near perfection as one can expect from a "well behaved" album, and the above comments do not reflect negatively on this beautiful piece of music and the exceptional music-making captured herein. Always melodic, even in the heat of improvisation, with a wonderful support from the bassist and gentle but accurate input from the drummer, this music simply sounds great, especially when so well recorded. Listeners, who enjoyed the trio´s previous output, will definitely not be disappointed, with a good chance for many new followers discovering them here. Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice I think they get better and better!

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted:

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MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO ~ JANUARY ECM 2019 (Barcode: 602517373457) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is the debut album on the legendary ECMFind albums on this label label by the great Polish Jazz trio, which used to be called Simple Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist, led by pianist / composer Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist with bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. If these names seem somewhat familiar to you, no wander, as they were also the members of the superb Polish quartet led by the legendary trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, which recorded three albums for ECM. However, the ECM recordings are far from being the trio´s recording debut, as they have been active on the local scene in Poland a whole decade earlier and recorded several brilliant albums already. Always in top form, sensitive and technically perfect, these musicians are pillars of the new generation of Polish Jazz and their music is a true inspiration. The ten pieces presented on this album include classic Jazz compositions by musicians like Carla BleyFind albums by this artist and Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist, but most of the material was composed by the pianist, who is undoubtedly a great composer as well. This is one of the best piano trios in the world and everything they touch turns to instant musical gold. This album is no different and every Jazz fan on this planet should enjoy it greatly. Wholeheartedly recommended! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Oddly, they have changed their name to Marcin Wasilewski Trio but they are building on the two excellent albums as Simple Acoustic Trio; this one arrived today and is stuck in the CD player on "repeat." I look forward to sampling their new album from ECM as soon as Adam brings it to Israel!

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted:

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MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO ~ LIVE ECM 2592 (Barcode: 602567384861) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2018 This is the fourth album on the ECMFind albums on this label label by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist and his trio, which also includes bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. This is also the first live recording by the trio on that label. The album presents seven compositions (the first two combined into one piece), all composed by Wasilewski except for an interpretation of a song by StingFind albums by this artist and a Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist tune. All of these compositions originate from the trio´s previous album "Spark Of LifeFind albums with this title" except for one that originates from the second album "FaithfulFind albums with this title". As usual for ECM recordings, the album offers excellent sound quality and clarity. Wasilewski and his trio managed to develop a symbiotic musical relationship in the twenty years they played together and ten albums they recorded together, not to mention their work with the legendary Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist as members of his "Polish Quartet". These years proved to be fruitful and rewarding in every sense, and established the trio among one of the top European piano trios since the turn of the Millennium. Wasilewski´s role as a composer also developed steadily over time and he is today a core member of the Polish Jazz musical architects, who define the idiom, combining the Jazz tradition with Polish Folklore sources, the typical Polish melancholy and deeply melodic / harmonic sense of beauty and European finesse. His round and elegant music is the epitome of modern European Jazz, continuing the path set by the Godfathers of Polish / European Jazz. Naturally in time he achieved a highly respected position on the local Jazz scene as one of the leaders of the mid-generation and a highly sought after performer. The trio functions at all times like one body, with the obvious virtuosity displayed by the leader, but not less importantly by the rhythm section, which fused together create an effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. These live recording enables the numerous fans of the trio to experience an instantaneous connection with the process of music making, which of course is much more intensive than listening to a studio album. Overall this is a superb piece of Jazz piano trio music, performed by Masters and full of delicate and intricate moments hanging in the air, before the next touch of a key or pluck of a string or strike of a stick take the listener to the next magical moment. Elegant, sophisticated, lofty and above all unpretentious and honest, this music is pennies from heaven to every true Jazz connoisseur! Hats off!

Updated: 18/09/2018Posted: 16/09/2018

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MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO / JOE LOVANO ~ ARCTIC RIFF ECM 2678 (Barcode: 602508359835) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the fifth album by Polish Jazz trio led by pianist / composer Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, which also includes bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. It is only the second time in the trio´s recording career, which stretches back some twenty-five years, when it is expanded to a quartet with the addition of a saxophonist, this time the American Joe LovanoFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, four composed by Wasilewski, one by Lovano and two versions of a Carla BleyFind albums by this artist tune. The remaining four tracks are collective improvisations, credited to all four participants. The music moves between the composed and improvised realms, and remains very intimate, at times minimalist, with Wasilewski sticking to his wonderful lyricism, whenever allowed to do so. The rhythm section is as perfect and complying as humanly possible, with brilliant, albeit usually very short, bass mini-solos by Kurkiewicz and supportive and yet subtle drumming by Miskiewicz. In short everything seems to be perfect as long as the trio is left alone. However, the unholy alliance with Lovano comes immediately into the picture from the first notes he utters. There is an obvious clash of Cultures, aesthetics and sensibilities here, which is sadly unbreachable. There are very few American Jazz musicians that are able to connect to the European Jazz sensitivities, especially those of Eastern Europe, and Lovano is certainly not one of them. He is a veteran player with vast experience, impressive recording legacy and obvious skills, but he never managed to cross the boundaries of the American Jazz tradition and his playing is completely predictable. As a result he is basically holding the trio back rather than playing along or ideally pushing them forward. Even, or perhaps especially, in the improvised pieces he really has very little inspirational input to offer. Overall, the album certainly has its moments, the trio is absolutely superb and the original music by Wasilewski is as brilliant as usual, but for me the quartet does not work out that well, and the result is crippled. I am looking forward to the next trio album or hearing them play live, which is always heavenly experience. And yes I have read dozens of "reviews" hailing this album as a Holy Grail…oh well I am pretty much used to be in the opposition and I still trust my ears.

Updated: 30/10/2020Posted: 30/10/2020

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JACOB YOUNG ~ FOREVER YOUNG ECM 2366 (Barcode: 602537688968) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the 6th album as a leader (3rd on ECMFind albums on this label) by Norwegian guitarist / composer Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Norwegian saxophonist Trygve SeimFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section of pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Marcin Wasilewski TrioFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by Young. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by my late Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, offering a spectacular sound quality, as expected. The music is beautifully melodic, almost romantic, flowing gently and being a classic illustration of the Nordic Jazz sound. Although Young is undoubtedly the leader of this recording, he is certainly happy to share the spotlight with Seim and Wasilewski, who share at least as much if not more of the soloing duties with the leader. The Polish rhythm section is absolutely perfect for this music, as Wasilewski is a Master of romantic / lyrical expression, as evident on his numerous recordings with this trio. Strangely / sadly it took a whole decade for Young to record his next solo album “EventuallyFind albums with this title” to follow this one. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of Norwegian Jazz, which after all is still very much associated with the Nordic Jazz idiom, going back to the early Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist recordings, which influenced generations to come. Exquisite performances by all the musicians, beautiful compositions and crystal clear sound combined, create a classic modern Jazz album with a pinch of Nordic cool and Polish warmth.

Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024

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