Record Reviews

JACEK MIELCAREK / MAREK WALAROWSKI ~ MELLOW LOOK PRO 014 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is a nice album by a duo of Polish Jazz musicians: saxophonist / clarinetist Jacek MielcarekFind albums by this artist and pianist Marek WalarowskiFind albums by this artist, who are both graduates of the Jazz Department of the Music Academy in Katowice. Together they perform twelve pieces, three of which are originals by Walarowski and nine are standards. The music, as expected, is all melodic mainstream, with emphasis on the lyrical expression, which both musicians obviously tend to agree on. The original compositions fit very nicely into the overall atmosphere, offering solid melody and the same melancholic atmosphere as the standards selected for the recording. As a duo both musicians display the affinity and mutual respect needed to cooperate and produce a unified statement combining the abilities and talents of both participants. The resulting music is elegant and flows gently, providing the listener with an opportunity to enjoy the music in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. This is one of those albums that are accessible to a wide audience due to their gentle character, but which keep an artistic integrity of the music intact, without compromising the essence of Jazz. As such it is definitely worth investigating, although it is probably very difficult to fine these days.

Updated: 27/06/2016Posted: 27/06/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAREK WALAROWSKI ~ SEVEN STAIRS TO HELL DUX 1209 (Barcode: 5902547012094) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is an album by Polish pianist / composer Marek WalarowskiFind albums by this artist, which presents a project he recorded with a classic piano trio with acoustic bass guitarist Jedrzej LaciakFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal DziewinskiFind albums by this artist. It consists of eight original compositions, all by Walarowski. The tongue in cheek reference in the project´s title to the seminal Miles DavisFind albums by this artist album hints about the musical point of reference this music is related to, deep within the Jazz tradition. Although seemingly a straight-ahead mainstream Jazz piano trio album, this album offers a whole musical concept, which mixes the traditional Jazz idiom with unique approach to improvisation, where the instruments rather than soloing in turn, improvise continuously constantly exchanging phrases between themselves, similar to what happens in group improvisation in Free Jazz, but within the standard melodic / harmonic mainstream Jazz. If this is not clear enough, the best idea is to listen to the music and hear this approach in real time. Of course in order to apply this approach, Walarowski had to find the right partners, which is definitely not a trivial matter. The stunning work done by the acoustic bass guitarist is a proof that such partners do exists. Laciak plays along with the piano notes with an amazing virtuosity, and manages to combine the traditional role of the bass in a piano trio with a continuous barrage of notes, which improvise and perform a dialogue with the piano. Dziewinski is obviously less involved in the actual improvisation, except for his solo spots, but he accompaniments the piano / bass lines with great elegance and sensitivity. Of course the great performances are based first and foremost on the compositions, which serve as vehicles for the improvisational layer. Walarowski´s beautifully melodic and lyrical themes are perfect for the job and are a real pleasure to listen to. He is also a great pianist of course, but his idiosyncratic style might sound a bit strange to purist Jazz listeners, revealing some Classical mannerisms, which are difficult to hide. Overall this is a wonderful piano trio album, which should make all connoisseurs of that particular Jazz variety extremely happy, although it might require a few listening sessions in order to appreciate this music in full. I suppose this is a multi-layered album in a sense that some listeners will enjoy the melodic, swinging parts, which are very easy to like while others will make an effort to dig deeper and listen beneath the surface to discover the hidden treasures. Whichever way, this is a highly recommended piece of music, worth discovering and investigating.

Updated: 10/05/2016Posted: 10/05/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAREK WALAROWSKI TRIO / WOJCIECH LICHTANSKI ~ COLORS OF THE NIGHT SURFACE TENSION ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is an album by Polish pianist / composer Marek WalarowskiFind albums by this artist with his trio which includes Czech electric bassist Lukas MuzikFind albums by this artist and drummer Miroslaw SitkowskiFind albums by this artist and features also saxophonist Wojciech LichtanskiFind albums by this artist, who completes a quartet setting. The quartet performs seven original compositions, all by Walarowski. The music is kept within melodic mainstream, and is therefore pretty predictable, but the excellent compositions by Walarowski and beautiful playing by Lichtanski, who is one of the upcoming Polish Jazz young lions, turn this music into a nice listening experience. His alto saxophone has a great tone and he sounds like a true pro when playing some expanded and sophisticated solos through out this album. The rhythm section is also doing a fine job, and although I prefer acoustic bass in a strict Jazz setting, Muzik manages to do his part solidly while Sitkowski keeps the time without a hitch. Walarowski´s compositions are all little gems with superb melody lines and nice chord structures, which are not inferior to any of the Jazz standards we are used to hear all the time. His performances are also spotless, although have a specific Classical influence, which can be heard by a trained ear. Nevertheless his playing is always a true pleasure to listen to. Overall the album offers some very nice music, which was very well recorded and mixed and all mainstream Jazz lovers should find it most appropriate as part of their music collections. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 26/06/2016Posted: 26/06/2016

CD-R 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

WIESLAW WILCZKIEWICZ ~ FLY ENSEMBLE GAD 038 (Barcode: 5901549197488) ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 1981 - 1983 Released: 2016 This album presents a collection of radio recordings by the Polish Jazz ensemble called Fly EnsembleFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist Wieslaw WilczkiewiczFind albums by this artist, who was a member in the legendary Alex BandFind albums by this artist. The ensemble also included several other ex-Alex Band members like keyboardist Marek WalarowskiFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Jerzy MuchaFind albums by this artist, and featured guest artists like violinists Krzesimir DebskiFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew WodeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten instrumental pieces, five of which were composed by Wilczkiewicz, two by Walarowski, and one each by Mucha, Wodecki and American pianist Randy WestonFind albums by this artist. The music is a superb blend of Jazz / Groove / Funk, with excellent melodies and interesting arrangements, altogether perfectly executed. Although definitely on the easy side of the genre, it is fascinating and intelligent, and still sounds great over three decades later. The musicians involved in these recordings are all top professionals and manage to make the best of it. Although some people might consider this Smooth Jazz, it stands miles above what passes as Smooth Jazz these days and is infinitely more sophisticated. I had a great time listening to this music, in spite of its easy-going approach and perhaps even because of it. With music getting more and more convoluted over time, the simply stated but elegant phrases on this album are a truly relaxing and entertaining. Thanks to GADFind albums on this label Records for bringing this music back to circulation, as it fully deserves it.

Updated: 02/03/2016Posted: 02/03/2016

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend