Record Reviews

TOMASZ LOSOWSKI ~ FUSIONLAND SOLITON 501 (Barcode: 590157109501) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the third album as a leader by veteran Polish Jazz drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist, who is also a member of the excellent Orange TraneFind albums by this artist ensemble. Following a straightforward Jazz album released a year earlier, this album returns to the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, similar to his debut album recorded thirteen years earlier. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Losowski, recorded with the help of several musician friends in various lineups, which feature Losowski on drums and keyboards. The music is an excellent collection of melodic Funk / Groove / Fusion tunes, which are all perfectly executed by Losowski and his cohorts. This is definitely "good time" music, which is being presented here with no false pretenses or misconceptions and as such, delivers exactly what is promised to the max. It is great to see Losowski presenting this music proudly and with no inferiority complex, as he can certainly be very happy with the result. Although the music is oriented towards a wide audience, it is not making any compromises as far as the levels of composition and execution are concerned. The music is full of passion and great harmonic beauty and Losowski delivers superb, often very complex rhythmic support, which is nothing short of virtuosic. Overall this album proves that seemingly simple music can be made with flair and taste and not be an insult to the listener´s intelligence. For Fusion / Funk fans this is definitely something worth checking out, but this album also sounds great in a car while driving or at home while relaxing with a bottle of cold beer in ones hand. In short, cool stuff!

Updated: 24/09/2016Posted: 24/09/2016

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ORANGE TRANE ~ FUGU SOLITON 347 (Barcode: 5901571093475) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz ensemble Orange TraneFind albums by this artist, and the second album by its second incarnation now called Orange Trane Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist, which consists of vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions: seven by Lemanczyk and two by Bukowski, and one is a standard. The music of Orange Trane is a beautiful amalgam of Jazz, contemporary Classical and World Music influences, performed with incredible virtuosity and impeccable taste. Bukowski plays vibraphone, marimba and xylosynth – a synthesized version of the xylophone, Lemanczyk plays both acoustic and electric basses and Losowski plays a wide array of percussive instruments; together they create a magic atmosphere of intimate acoustic music which is full of mystery, with scents of ancient times and far away places. The whole album is like a soundtrack of an imaginary voyage, with each track enfolding a new panorama. The intimate acoustic setting emphasizes each individual sound and the sheer virtuosity of these performances, which are truly amazing. Personally Lemanczyk, who also composed most of the music, is the most impressive performer, with breathtaking solos and superb control of his instruments, but his colleagues also stand shoulder to shoulder with him, contributing equally well. Bukowski sets the main melodic themes, using a wide array of sounds between completely acoustic and electronically generated and Losowski drives the whole affair rhythmically, but gently enough to be in sync with the rest of the music. This is intelligent, delicate and elegant music, which is a true pleasure to listen to, and which stimulates the intellectual parts of the listener´s brain at the same time, a rare commodity these days. Although perhaps not groundbreaking, it is definitely graceful and unique, deserving to be heard by as many music connoisseurs as possible. Well done indeed!

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ORANGE TRANE ~ INTERPERSONAL LINES SOLITON 526 (Barcode: 5901571095264) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the fifth album by the excellent Polish Jazz ensemble Orange TraneFind albums by this artist, which consists of vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist. On this album two players are featured as guest musicians: the British saxophonist Soweto KinchFind albums by this artist and the young Polish saxophonist Jakub SkowronskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven pieces, five of which are original compositions (four by Lemanczyk and one by Bukowski) and two are compositions by legendary Polish Jazz figures: Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist and Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist, included here as the band´s tribute to the older generation of Polish Jazz pioneers. The band continues its musical path faithfully, playing modern Jazz at the highest possible standard, characterized by the virtuosic vibraphone parts by Bukowski, no less virtuosic bass playing by Lemanczyk, who consistently delivers superb lines as only he can and is completed by the energetic and elegant drumming by Losowski. The addition of the two saxophonists expands the overall sound of the band, but does not change dramatically the character of the music. As usual, Lemanczyk also delivers his lovely compositions, which serve as ideal vehicles for the members of the ensemble to carry their individual statements. The collection of his compositions for Orange Trane, his solo albums and other recordings emerges as one of the most consistent bodies of Jazz compositions on the Polish scene, for which he deserves much more recognition than is actually awarded to him. The greatest asset of Orange Trane is the consistency of their work, which does not try to show off or amaze the listeners but rather concentrates on keeping the musical excellence and deliver honest, straightforward musical message. There is a certain minimalism and introversion involved in their musical delivery, which often emphasizes the "less is more" principle. Overall this is another great addition to the Orange Trane legacy, which over time achieved the symbol of quality, which does not disappoint. Well done gentleman, again!

Updated: 26/09/2016Posted: 26/09/2016

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