Record Reviews

MAGDA KURAS ~ PLONY NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by Polish singer / songwriter Magda KurasFind albums by this artist, accompanied by a piano trio consisting of pianist Patryk CzyzewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal KowalczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. A couple of singers participate in the backing vocal parts. The album presents seven original songs, all featuring lyrics by Kuras, six of which were co-composed by Kuras and Czyzewski and one was composed by Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist, on which he also plays the piano. The music is heavily influenced by Polish Folklore vocal tradition and arranged combining a Jazz inspired instrumental parts, creating together a wonderful amalgam of Jazz-World Fusion, which is absolutely stunning. The overall level of compositions and the intelligent lyrics are all unusually mature for a debut album. Kuras uses the entire range of vocal trickery, singing lyrics, vocalese, choir parts and everything in between, and sounds great at all times. The music is fresh, youthful, full of optimism and vigor, and yet manages to be romantic and melancholic, when needed. Even the opening a cappella track is sensational. The instrumental parts are also excellent, perfect for the job and truly supportive, but leaving the vocals in the limelight, as appropriate. Czyzewski (and Kisiel on the last track) stand up to the role of accompanying the vocals with finesse and the rhythm section swings like clockwork. This album is a splendid example of how the Polish Folklore tradition can and should be respected, updated and used in contemporary music making, which sadly happens very rarely lately. The only maddening thing about this album is its playing time, just briefly over half an hour… it is a tease making the listener longing for more, like a brief kiss before disappearing into the night. Really young Lady - We want more! Thanks for the music and respect to Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist for her job as a teacher. Love you both :)

Updated: 23/02/2021Posted: 23/02/2021

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ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ IMPRESSIONS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist and pianist Patryk CzyzewskiFind albums by this artist appear as guests on selected tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Alexandra Kutrzepa. The music offers a series of contemporary Polish Jazz compositions, full of lyricism, melancholy and even romanticism, all developing slowly and based on solid melodic themes. Stylistically the music displays a strong touch of Fusion, especially when the guitar is featured up front, but also due to the unique sound and manner of playing the violin that Kutrzepa utilizes, which has strong ties with the French Fusion violin school (Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist / Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist) rather than with the Polish Jazz violin school (Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist / Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist). As already mentioned above, Kutrzepa manages to achieve a unique and very personal violin sound and mannerism, which is quite different from the numerous other young generation Polish Jazz violin players, and which is quite remarkable by itself. She is very aloof, minimalist and reserved creating incredible tension and anticipation, which is extremely effective. The rest of the players on the album are all highly professional and talented. Garczynski serves as a contrast to Kutrzepa´s laid-back phrasing with his energetic and expressive solos, like a musical cold-hot or yin-yang seesaw. The rhythm section supports the soloists amicably and displays inventive and fully responsible ensemble playing, always solid and reliable. The guests add spice and panache to the proceedings, as expected, with Gadt taking the music slightly towards more imaginary ground on the last track with her beautiful vocal contributions. Personally this is my favorite piece on the album and perhaps points towards the direction the music might take in the future. Overall this is an excellent debut offering, obviously well planned and rehearsed, original and ambitious, and most importantly offering elements previously unheard and exploring uncharted territory, which after all happens quite rarely. For lovers of intelligent Fusion this album is a true gem and should not be missed, and judging by the potential it displays, Kutrzepa is definitely a Lady to keep a close watch on, both as a composer and a player, which I definitely intend to do in the future, wishing her all the best on the way.

Updated: 18/12/2018Posted: 18/12/2018

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