Record Reviews

CUATRO MANOS ~ WAY HOME SJ 069 (Barcode: 5902596066826) ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish acoustic guitar duo Cuatro ManosFind albums by this artist, which comprises of Jakub KotyniaFind albums by this artist and Michal LewartowiczFind albums by this artist. They are supported by a rhythm section, which includes bassists Mariusz BogdanowiczFind albums by this artist or Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummers Sebastian KuchczynskiFind albums by this artist or Pawel NowakFind albums by this artist. Violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. The album presents seven original compositions, four by Lewartowicz and three by Kotynia. The music is very melodic, with a slight Jazzy touch and a tinge of Folkloristic / Latin themes. For a lack of a better classification, it could be counted as Smooth Jazz, or just guitar instrumental music. Although personally this kind of music is not really my cup of tea, I can appreciate the obvious skills of the guitarists and of course I am very familiar with the rhythm section, as those are very able Polish Jazz musicians. The guitar performances are very capable and the guitarists obviously enjoy their interplay, which is full of grace and wonderful melodicism. Overall, this is a very pleasant listening experience, on the very light flank of the Jazz spectrum, but nevertheless full of highly skilled performances and deeply melodic flow, which obviously has many fans. This is a perfectly valid statement for those who enjoy the entertaining facet of Jazz music.

Updated: 02/02/2023Posted: 02/02/2023

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MICHAL LEWARTOWICZ QUARTET ~ INSPIRATIONS SJ 053 (Barcode: 5902596066642) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Fusion guitarist Michal LewartowiczFind albums by this artist recorded with his quartet, which also includes keyboardist Rafal CzarnackiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jaroslaw ZarnowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel NowakFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Adam WendtFind albums by this artist guests on five tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Lewartowicz. The music is typical Fusion, based on solid, very melodic compositions, full of catchy riffs, well put together and not less impressive than any music of this kind made across the pond in the last four decades or so. These young musicians know their stuff and are able to express the Fusion Groove like clockwork. Lewartowicz is familiar with all the tricks of the trade and has all the sound gadgets one would expect to be in his arsenal. The rest of the quartet follows suit and veteran Wendt shows that his chops are completely up to date. Overall this is a perfect Fusion album, that fans of the idiom will love to bits for sure. The music is catchy, the playing impressive and professional, and it is fun to listen to. It is definitely a solid debut album, reflecting the inspirations that guided Lewartowicz so far. One can only hope that now, once Lewartowicz proved his abilities, his future projects will move forward towards more ambitious territories, since honestly Fusion has not moved an inch since it was first invented a very long time ago.

Updated: 26/04/2021Posted: 26/04/2021

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