Record Reviews
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  | BOOGIE SKIEDRZYNSKI ~ PASSED LINES
SJ 064 (Barcode: 5902596066802) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Boogie SkiedrzynskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Bogdan SkiedrzynskiFind albums by this artist), recorded in a trio setting with bassist Grzegorz PiaseckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Mateusz ManiakFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions by the leader and one is a standard. The music was recorded at the excellent RecPublica Studios and engineered by Michal WasylFind albums by this artist, and offers a superb sound quality,
The music is melody based and well within the mainstream Jazz parameters, but at the same time quite original and most importantly manages to avoid the incessant obsession of guitar players to utilize the Fusion vocabulary, which thankfully is entirely absent here. This is a “pure” Jazz guitar album, with a very personal attitude on every plane: melodically, rhythmically and conceptually.
Skiedrzynski choses every note very carefully and sparingly, so there are no barrages of neck-breaking guitar pyrotechnics. Instead he delivers a coherent, balanced series of crystal clear notes and chords, sticking to the “less is more” principle, leaving a lot of space for the listener’s imagination to fill the blanks, which is extremely rare these days.
The rhythm section plays brilliantly along, completely in sync with the leader, not disturbing the minimalist approach but supporting the flow of the music amicably and adding some solo parts, all performed with taste and elegance. The teamwork of the trio is truly praiseworthy.
Overall, this is an excellent debut effort, which stands out from most guitar led recordings on the Polish Jazz scene, showing remarkable restraint, maturity and of course talent and imagination. This is an absolute must for guitar fans and perhaps also other guitar players to learn from, but all Jazz lovers and beyond should enjoy this album immensely. Well done Gentlemen!
| | Updated: 29/09/2022Posted: 29/09/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRYLOBITY GROUP ~ BURNING STONES
LUNA 410 (Barcode: 5900672924107) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by Polish Jazz trio Trylobity GroupFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonists Janusz BrychFind albums by this artist and Slawek DudarFind albums by this artist and drummer Mateusz ManiakFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, five by Brych and two by Dudar. The album is under thirty minutes in duration and should be considered rather as an EP sample of things to come.
The concept of a trio consisting of two saxophones and drums is certainly quite unusual one, but this album proves that it certainly is a valid and quite fascinating approach. Obviously the focus of this music is in the saxophone duets, with the drums providing a rhythmic backbone to the proceedings. Since the saxophonists use different instruments (Brych plays baritone and tenor and Dudar alto) there is no clash between their parts and they compliment each other amicably. As a result the album presents a fully developed sound, which does not need any additional elements to make it sound complete.
The music is very melodic and pretty straightforward and the improvisations are kept well within the mainstream Jazz idiom, although they are often passionate and quite complex. The rapport between the two saxophonists is excellent and they exchange licks, move forward and back playing behind and in front of each other, skillfully produce unisono riffs and so on. There is not a dull moment on this album, and saxophone connoisseurs will find this album truly delightful.
Overall this is a surprising, quite unusual and novel Jazz album, which finds a way to produce something fresh within the mainstream idiom, without moving out into the Avant Garde ground. As such it is certainly praiseworthy. Hope to hear more of this music soon!
| | Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 29/05/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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