Record Reviews

KRZYSZTOF BARANOWSKI ~ LIVE AT RADIO KATOWICE PRK 0140 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz guitarist / bassist Krzysztof BaranowskiFind albums by this artist recorded live in a classic piano trio format with pianist Mateusz KaszubaFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight pieces, six of which are original compositions by Baranowski and two are standards. Although Baranowski´s primary instrument is the guitar, the trio won a prize at one of the Polish Jazz festivals and led to recording of this album, which finds him playing the bass on his debut recording, rather than guitar. The music is all well within modern mainstream Jazz boundaries, based on solid and highly lyrical melodies, typical of Polish Jazz. Baranowski certainly has a lot to offer as a composer and his compositions are well rounded and beautifully crafted. A few shades and touches of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist´s toolbox made me smile. The performance is less spectacular, but certainly up to the excellent standard expected from the young Polish Jazz musicians, I have not heard Kaszuba on any recordings nor have I listened to him live, so my knowledge about him is very limited, but he certainly is an able player, obviously in the early days of his career, showing promising potential and already a remarkable skill. Dobosz on the other hand is already a highly experienced performer, with a bunch of recordings under his arm, which is immediately evident. Baranowski, although a novice as far as recording is concerned, shows an excellent feel and skill in his role as a bassist, which of course immediately raises the interest in his guitar playing. Overall this is an impressive debut album, which again stresses the fact that young Polish Jazz players pop up on the scene like mushrooms after the rain, with a continuous stream of talent and creativity, which of course is a wonderful blessing.

Updated: 07/09/2020Posted: 07/09/2020

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ SUFIA FSR 2016/07 (Barcode: 5905279364110) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the fifth album as a leader by the Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, one of the most respected and prolific figures on the Polish Jazz scene. The album was recorded live in a quartet setting, with American trumpeter Amir ElSaffarFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eight tunes (one split into two parts), five of which are arrangements of traditional melodies and three are original compositions by Bukowski. The music is a Jazz-World Fusion project, which amalgamates the Folklore roots of Polish and Middle Eastern music, or more specifically the Arabic maqam system, which lately has been discovered by many Jazz improvisers all over the world. The maqam is remarkably open system and as such an ideal basis for improvisation, which is clearly demonstrated on this album. Both the traditional pieces and the original compositions get a similar treatment, which creates a remarkable coherency and consistency, which this album manages to uphold for its entire duration. The involvement of ElSaffar is of course the decisive factor, which makes this album tick. His knowledge of Arabic musical forms makes him an ideal partner side by side with Bukowski, who after all is originally rooted in different musical environment. Without him this project might have proven to be too ambitious for the Polish musicians working on their own. Of course ElSaffar´s virtuosic trumpet performances based in the Jazz idiom are another strong virtue of this project. His santur solos are also some of the highlights of the album. Bukowski wisely lets ElSaffar to take upon himself most of the soloing and in general the leading of the music, as he is the bridge between the two worlds. Bukowski and the rhythm section take a step back and play along the trumpeter, contributing amicable support, both harmonically and rhythmically, which is especially impressive considering how difficult the odd and irregular Arabic rhythms usually are for people living outside the region. Zuchowski and Dobosz wisely take the rhythmic level of the music into a free form and less regular rhythmic environment, skillfully avoiding the traps of the tricky Arabic patterns as such. Their contributions are excellent all the way through and truly admirable. Bukowski, as usual, contributes some superb vibraphone vistas, somewhat subdued and modest, but always elegant and highly aesthetical. His original compositions fit the concept of the album ideally and the vibraphone / trumpet collaboration is tasteful and unique. This album, diametrically different from the other projects he is involved in, proves his diversity and open-mindedness. Overall this is definitely one of the most interesting Jazz-World Fusion albums recorded by Polish Jazz musicians in a long time and deserves all the compliments bestowed upon it already, which I fully support. Bukowski has been a sure "bet" ever since he arrived on the scene and this album places him also in the "full of surprises" category, which is pretty rare. Hats off, Dominik!

Updated: 16/12/2016Posted: 16/12/2016

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ TRANSATLANTYK SOLITON 887 (Barcode: 5901571098876) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with younger musicians: trumpeter Emil MiszkFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine pieces, seven of which are original compositions by Bukowski, one is co-composed by all four members of the quartet and one is an arrangement of a composition by Polish Classical Music composer Andrzej PanufnikFind albums by this artist. The music on this album was inspired by the human experience of emigration, of leaving someone´s home and country and moving to another place, a process millions of Poles went through in modern history for a variety of reasons and as a result of economic, political, religious and personal pressures. This, Bukowski´s sixth album as a leader, repeats the lineup of his previous album "SufiaFind albums with this title", with Miszk replacing Amir ElSaffarFind albums by this artist and the rhythm section remaining in place. Miszk, who makes an impressive mark on the local scene lately, is in charge of most of the solo parts, as expected. The music continues the path set by Bukowski many years ago, which is based on the characteristic Polish lyricism and melancholy, but keeps changing and developing from one album to the next. The recording of the preceding album made a distinctive mark on Bukowski´s music with the inclusion of odd time signatures and strong World Music influences, which are also present here. But the music is in general more daring and adventurous, which can be perhaps credited also to the presence of the young players. The challenging task of creating a "concept album", which presents a coherent sequence of compositions with a common context uniting them, is achieved here remarkably well and the atmosphere of "storytelling" is felt distinctly, emphasized by the inclusion of the spoken word parts. The feeling of uncertainty, fear and outlandishness is present very vividly, expressing the mental state of émigrés, surly at the early stages of their new lives, but often lastingly. Therefore this album deserves a somewhat different perspective than a purely musical creation. Overall this is a momentous piece of Art, powerful both musically and as a document of human emotional states, which deserves a serious and attentive listening. Although the texts are almost exclusively in Polish, their meaning is universal enough to be felt without actually understand the verbal context. As someone who went through the process of emigration I can of course relate to this album more directly and emotionally than those who didn´t experience emigration in person, but I am sure that the power of this music is completely universal. Thank you Dominik for this wonderful gift of music and human sensitivity!

Updated: 28/04/2019Posted: 28/04/2019

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HIGH DEFINITION ~ HOPASA EMARCY 602537434725 (Barcode: 602537434725) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by High Definition QuartetFind albums by this artist, a young Polish Jazz outfit comprising of saxophonist Mateusz SliwaFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. Polish Jazz connoisseurs are of course familiar with Orzechowski (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), who made a meteoric entrance on the scene as a solo performer and recorded one of the most interesting Polish Jazz albums a year earlier, which presented his interpretations of music written by Maestro Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist. Here we have the occasion to hear him finally as a part of an ensemble, which of course is quite different than performing solo. Dobosz is also somewhat familiar as a member of the phenomenal Magnolia Acoustic QuartetFind albums by this artist, which released a brilliant live album shortly before this album was released. The quartet performs six pieces (well, five actually, as the first one is just a brief intro), four of which were composed by Orzechowski and one is a Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist composition. The album offers a sublime sound quality and ambiance, which not surprisingly is a result of it being recorded at the Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist. Musically High Definition is a quintessence of Modern Jazz in every respect. The musicians are all masters of their trade, which is absolutely amazing considering their tender ages, who perform with virtuosic sophistication, superb intelligence and brilliant feel; and yet these strong individuals are able to collaborate seamlessly to create a whole, which is stronger than the sum of its parts. The music they play is completely contemporary and yet it plays a loving tribute to all the traditional Jazz sub-genres, with humorous hints of Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Cool Jazz and of course Free Form, switching from one to another like a butterfly hopping from flower to flower. All that Magic is being performed completely effortless, elegantly and almost nonchalantly, which of course is a sign of true Artistry. They are able to switch tempi, keys and approach several times within a very short span of time, doing it in perfect harmony and unison, which is nothing short of stunning. There is no doubt the Orzechowski is the most dominant personality behind this album, both as a composer and a player. This is not as much a question of solo exposure, but the overall feeling one gets listening to the music, with the piano chord obviously leading the way and stating (or emphasizing) the melodic content. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that of course, as Orzechowski is very charismatic and his musical personality is obviously very extrovert. On this album he is exposed, both as a composer and a player, showing his deep lyricism and even romanticism without any attempt to hide it behind false facades. Here it is, all in the open and in its full glory for us to enjoy. Overall this is undoubtedly one of the strongest releases on the Polish Jazz scene this year, which is even more astounding as this has been a truly amazing year for Polish Jazz. And again, being a debut it is absolutely a miracle. Even more of a miracle is the fact, that it was released on a Major label, which usually releases less ambitious music. Perhaps even they can be converted? Heaven on earth!

Updated: 12/06/2018Posted:

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HIGH DEFINITION QUARTET ~ BUKOLIKI FOR TUNE 0074 (Barcode: 5902768701760) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the second album by the Polish Jazz outfit called High Definition QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Mateusz SliwaFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Dawid FortunaFind albums by this artist (who replaced Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist). The album presents five pieces related to the five piano miniatures by contemporary Polish Classical composer Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist based on Polish Folklore tunes from the Kurpian region and called "Bukoliki". Orzechowski, rather than using the pieces by Lutoslawski, found the original Folk tunes that Lutoslawski used as his inspiration and rearranged them into his own version of "Bukoliki", later transforming it into the Jazz quartet version heard here. As the year 2015 swiftly approaches its ending it becomes apparent that the Polish Jazz scene this year was dominated by two parallel trends: the re-discovery of Polish Folklore and the re-discovery of Polish contemporary Classical Music by Polish Jazz musicians / composers. The most impressive releases by Polish Jazz artists in 2015 are either related to one or another of these trends and in some cases, like this album, to both of them simultaneously. Orzechowski, who is obviously the most dominating personality in this team, has already a rich history of tackling with Folklore ("15 Studies For The OberekFind albums with this title") or Classical Music ("Experiment: PendereckiFind albums with this title") and this album is a natural development as far as his musical path is concerned. What is less natural and much closer to "supernatural" is of course his immense talent to transpose pieces of music between genres or rather to transform them into his own universe, which is completely unique and unparalleled by anybody else. But it takes a team work, like the one presented here, to make this transformation complete. Sliwa, Wykpisz and Fortuna, all brilliant representatives of the young generation of Polish Jazz musicians, play along Orzechowski completely free of any inferiority complexes and sound like young semi-Gods performing in Pieria at the foot of the Olympus Mountain with Zeus and the rest of the Godly pack grinning madly and the Muses dancing along as if possessed by the sounds floating in the air. From the very first notes heard on this album it becomes immediately apparent that this is one of the best pieces of music produced in the Jazz sphere this year, not only in Poland, but worldwide. The intensity, elegance, flair and above all European aesthetic is omnipresent here, creating a true artistic masterpiece. I am not going to name it the "best" album of 2015, not because it does not deserve the title, but simply because I don´t believe art is a competition. It is brilliant and deserves to be heard by every music connoisseur on this planet, before the barbarians take the world over or our idea of Culture implodes upon itself. Absolutely essential!

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PRZEMEK KLECZKOWSKI ~ TIME HEVHETIA 0161 (Barcode: 8588005258241) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by Polish singer / songwriter Przemek KleczkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with excellent young Polish Jazz instrumentalists: guitarist Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, organist Grzegorz DowgialloFind albums by this artist, flautist Kasia Gacek-DudaFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech SzwugierFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, seven of which are originals (assumably as this is not stated on the album´s artwork) by Kleczkowski (with lyrics in Polish and English), one is a Polish song by veteran saxophonist / composer Jerzy MatuskiewiczFind albums by this artist and another is a Classic Rock standard by the DoorsFind albums by this artist. The songs have very little to do with Jazz per se, being mostly Pop, Rock and Folk oriented, but the instrumental arrangements have a distinct Jazz touch to them. The melodies are very melancholic and low key, which after a while gets to be a bit monotonic. Several excellent instrumental solos save the day, but without them the album would be quite difficult to listen to all the way through. Using lyrics in English is, as always, a bad mistake and the songs featuring them suffer from pretty problematic delivery. Kleczkowski offers a very limited vocal palette and workshop, simply delivering the lyrics and not using any other vocal tools. As a result his singing belongs more to the Alternative Pop idiom than to Jazz and is definitely an acquired taste. The album is full of good intentions, which sadly do not come to fruition. Overall this is a nice Pop album, with Jazzy arrangements and melancholic songs that are easily forgettable.

Updated: 11/08/2018Posted: 11/08/2018

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WOJCIECH LICHTANSKI ~ IGA AUDIO CAVE 2019/002 (Barcode: 5905669566681) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album by the young and upcoming Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech LichtanskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet setting with players of his generation: pianist Mateusz PalkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub DworakFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist, collectively called the QuestionsFind albums by this artist quartet. The album presents nine compositions, eight of which are originals by Lichtanski and one is a standard. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and offers a remarkable sound quality, as expected. During the five years that separate this album from the debut Lichtanski recorded rather sparingly and as a result this album was highly anticipated. Happily he is able to fulfill the expectations, coming up a long way both as a saxophonist and more importantly as a composer. The music on this album offers a solid and coherent selection of excellent compositions, which are all within the modern mainstream idiom, but offer diversity and sophistication, and most importantly wonderful melodic themes. The treatment of the standard, which usually is a kind of filler on most albums, is absolutely sublime and constitutes one of the strongest statements on the album. From the early days of his career it was obvious that Lichtanski is an exceptional instrumentalist. Having matured and polished his chops, his saxophone playing a true delight, both technically and emotionally. But his most important forte is the wonderful tone he manages to produce both on the alto and soprano saxophones. It is sweat and mellow, but steady and firm at all times and makes him one of the most distinct voices on the young Polish Jazz saxophone scene, amazingly effective both as a romantic "crooner" and a scorching improviser. All three players accompanying Lichtanski are already established talents with respected recording legacy, so their superb performances are hardly surprising. Palka is a great pianist and his unexpected accordion contributions on this album are a nice touch. Dworak is a very supportive and creative bassist and does a superb job here. Dobosz, who also has an impressive record behind him, is a tad too busy on this album (my very personal feeling) and too high in the mix, but obviously a first class player. Overall this is a beautiful album, in many respects the true debut as far as Lichtanski´s career is concerned, which offers excellent modern Jazz of the highest standard, which should satisfy any true Jazz connoisseur on this planet. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 13/04/2019Posted: 13/04/2019

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DAWID LUBOWICZ ~ HUMAN FATE REQUIEM / LYDIAN 2024/40 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2014 This is the 3rd solo album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in quartet setting with keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist (his brother), bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, one of which is a four-part composition, seven of which are original compositions by Dawid Lubowicz and one is by Jakub Lubowicz. Dawid Lubowicz is primarily known as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist, Poland’s famed Jazz-Classical Fusion ensemble, which produces exemplary and innovative music, which flirts with Classical form and Jazzy improvisation. This album, however, is quite different form that facet of Dawid’s activity. For the first time it features him playing the mandolin in addition to the violin, and the music is more relaxed, beautifully melodic and closer to mainstream Jazz approach. It also touches upon Pop and World Music genres, but basically is as cross-genre as one might imagine. This new stylistic direction does not mean that the music is less sophisticated or classy, but simply signifies that it is somewhat different from what listeners of Dawid’s earlier work might expect. All four musicians are top notch and highly experienced performers, which is evident for the entire duration of the album. Dawid gets the center stage, as expected, but everybody gets to display their chops and the almost completely acoustic sound, which is well balanced and round, creates a pleasant, fluid listening experience. I highly value the directness, honesty and unpretentious openness that this album offers, which sometimes manages to deliver more aesthetic value than hyper ostentatious efforts, which often cover for the lack of contents. Of course Dawid’s virtuosic parts are not absent and Kubiszyn’s amazing bass soli spice the proceedings highly effectively. The mandolin parts work splendidly as well, adding another touch to the overall sound. Overall, this is another splendid piece of music by Dawid Lubowicz, who never fails his followers. Although perhaps more accessible than his “usual” outings, it lacks nothing to satisfy the taste buds of music connoisseurs. The music is as universal as music can be, so National or stylistic boundaries are completely meaningless herein.

Updated: 18/11/2024Posted: 18/11/2024

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MAGNOLIA ACOUSTIC QUARTET ~ BOOZER FOR TUNE 0003 (Barcode: 5902768701029) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 This is a (formal) debut album by Polish Jazz ensemble Magnolia Acoustic QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Szymon NidzworskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Kuba SokolowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Mateusz DoboszFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents a live recording of an extended lineup of the ensemble, which adds two slightly older and better known Polish Jazz musicians: trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Maciej ObaraFind albums by this artist. The music includes seven pieces, six of which are originals (three by Sokolowski, two by Obara and one by Dabrowski) and one is by the contemporary Polish Classical Music composer Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist. The music played by these incredible musicians covers the areas of modern European Jazz, Avant Garde and Free Jazz, firmly embracing the past and clearly pointing out the future. Based on pre-composed themes, the group´s music develops into lengthy collective and individual improvisations, which are achieved through mutual respect and collaboration, but also reflect the incredible individual talents. The overall effect is simply stunning and the fact that this music is created by such young musicians is simply unreal. The ensemble portrays the ideal balance between the soloists and the rhythm section. The pair of the Dobosz BrothersFind albums by this artist is quite likely to become the new brotherly Polish rhythm section following in the steps of the legendary Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist. Quite naturally the most impressive solo spots are reserved for the two guests, especially Dabrowski, whose contributions here are simply stellar and again clearly point out his path to stardom and his position as the future top Polish Jazz trumpet player. One of the most exciting moments of this album is the trumpet / drums duet, which is simply divine, and which should come as no surprise in view of the fact that Dabrowski recorded an entire trumpet / drums album recently with American drummer Tyshawn SoreyFind albums by this artist, also released on the For TuneFind albums on this label label. Considering the fact that this music was recorded live, which eliminates any studio trickery and results in "what was played is what you hear", all that was stated above is even more impressive. After listening to the album several times the music keeps getting better and better and Magnolia Acoustic Quartet simply emerges as one of the best new arrivals on the Polish Jazz scene in the last few years. This album presents the young Polish Jazz scene at its best: vigorous, daring, original, inventive and hellishly talented. These are the musicians that will lead the scene in decades to come, when the older generation retires or sadly is no longer with us. Judging by this album and many others that pop up recently like mushrooms after rain, we have absolutely nothing to worry about the shape of things to come!

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted:

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MAGNOLIA ACOUSTIC QUARTET ~ CINDERELLA FOR TUNE 0035 (Barcode: 5902768701357) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014 This is the second album by Polish Jazz ensemble Magnolia Acoustic QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Szymon NidzworskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Kuba SokolowskiFind albums by this artist and the brotherly rhythm section: bassist Mateusz DoboszFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. They perform six original compositions, all by Sokolowski (with one of the tunes inspired by a Yoko OnoFind albums by this artist piece). This album faces a series of obstacles: the "second album" syndrome, the fact that the guest musicians on their debut album are not present here, the fact that the music is entirely "home made", and so on. The only thing in common is the fact that this album was also recorded live. In comparison to its predecessor, musically this album is characterized by a much spacey, less melodic and freer approach, sometimes almost minimalistic. Most importantly the music is much more open and allows for delicate and intimate conversations between the quartet members. Although recorded just a short time apart, the quartet seems to be much mature, with the youthful energy and vivacity being replaced by elegant thoughtfulness. Of course this might result for some listeners / critics to evaluate this album as less impressive and immediate, but personally I happen to think that is simply different, but still very impressive. I have already mentioned the Dobosz BrothersFind albums by this artist as potential candidates to the title of upcoming sibling rhythm section in Polish Jazz. Their performances here are no less convincing and they are definitely worth of close attention. Sokolowski plays a much more extensive role on this album that previously, which allows us to discover his subtle lyricism. Nidzworski is the true free spirit, pushing the boundaries of the quartet constantly towards terra incognita. Overall this is another impressive achievement of a very promising young ensemble, which managed to overcome the a.m. obstacles with flying colors. Yes, this album is more challenging and less immediately likeable that the excellent debut, but patience has its rewards, which in this case are truly worth waiting for. Well done!

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PIOTR MATUSIK ~ INDEPENDENCE SOLITON 688 (Barcode: 5901571096889) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the second album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Piotr MatusikFind albums by this artist recorded in a piano trio setting with bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Matusik. Matusik debuted about five years earlier with an album dedicated to the music of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, which I sternly criticized at the time. In the meantime his career developed well as a member of the quartet led by violinist Bartosz DworakFind albums by this artist and participation in occasional other recordings and his music matured over time, as this album, which should be really considered as his artistic debut, clearly proves. His compositions offer melody based themes, which are laced wit the typical Polish Jazz melancholy and the execution is open enough to allow space for extended improvisations by all three musicians. The intimate piano trio format is perfect to expose the excellent interplay between the musicians, which is the strongest virtue of this album. As usual in a piano trio setting, Matusik is the prime soloist, performing lengthy piano parts, superbly supported by the rhythm section. It is however Wykpisz, who offers a truly refined musicianship on this album, with wonderful solo parts and sublimely sensitive accompaniment behind the piano. Dobosz is also excellent, keeping the time precisely and inventively, using a versatile arsenal of percussive trickery. Overall this is an ambitious effort, which shows a clear step forward in Matusik´s development. Jazz trio piano enthusiasts should find this album an educational experience as far as the role of the rhythm section is concerned. Definitely worth investigation!

Updated: 30/05/2020Posted: 30/05/2020

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MATEUSZ PALKA ~ MELODIES. THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN POLSKIE RADIO 2431 (Barcode: 5905610870034) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the 3rd album as a leader by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Mateusz PalkaFind albums by this artist, and the 2nd recording by his trio with bassist Piotr PoludniakFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions by Palka and one is an improvised solo bass piece by Poludniak. The album offers excellent sound recording quality, which for piano trio albums is an absolute must. The music is wonderfully melodic and full of typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, strongly influenced by Polish Classical and Folklore traditions. Palka continues to develop the stylistic directions set by his two previous albums, adding a bit of Jazzy openness and even Freedom to the prevailing melodic dominance, clearly showing an aesthetic development. But the main focus of the music remains on the melodic content, which is somewhat minimalist and uses moments of silence as an integral part of the aural message. The rhythm section plays wonderfully along, with Poludniak standing prominently beside the leader, adding his harmony and rhythmic pulsations. Dobosz plays sparingly and a bit quietly, which is exactly what this music requires, but when the music calls for more dynamics, he’s there 100%. The sound of the trio is somewhat unusual, especially since the music is mostly low-key, and as a result requires more than usual attentive listening to catch all the details. Overall, this is a very elegant, delicate Jazz piano trio album, which should delight the many followers of this format. The music is beautifully flowing from one tune to the next, a true blessing in today’s noise dominated environment. Polish / European Jazz lovers will definitely enjoy this album for all it stands for. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 31/12/2023Posted: 31/12/2023

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MATEUSZ PALKA ~ SANSA EMME 1704 (Barcode: 850869006145) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Mateusz PalkaFind albums by this artist and his trio which also includes bassist Piotr PoludniakFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine compositions, seven of which are originals by the leader, one is composed by Poludniak and one is a standard. The album was beautifully recorded at the RecPublica Studios and engineered by Maciej StachFind albums by this artist. The album´s title and artwork obviously hint as to someone´s adoration of the "Game Of Thrones" imagery. The album was released by an Italian label, which means that the young Poles age definitely going places! The music is deeply melodic and typical of contemporary mainstream European Jazz idiom, with emphasis on the Polish lyricism and melancholy, which are almost omnipresent on recordings by Polish Jazz musicians / composers. The themes are developed gradually and lingeringly, which adds to the tension this music creates and keeps the listener on edge. The overall level of composition is excellent and composition is the focus of this album. The trio plays very well together, with the piano clearly dominating the proceedings, but the rhythm section being audible and leading the music amicably. Dobosz displays a wide array of percussive trickery, which suits the music perfectly, while Poludniak keeps his bass lines down to earth and solid like a rock. The overall sound and attitude of the trio is fresh and innovative, especially in view of the fact that it rarely swings in the traditional meaning of the term, but allows for a large degree of rhythmical space, which is intriguing and very effective. Overall this is a stunning debut effort, as surprising as many other debut efforts by young Polish Jazz musicians, who seem to have found the formula to keep Jazz alive and kicking and intellectually challenging. These young lions are the hope of European Jazz, and in the not to distant future should achieve the acclaim they so well deserve. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 14/09/2017Posted: 14/09/2017

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RAFAL SARNECKI ~ A VIEW FROM THE TREETOP ART EVOLUTION 01/2022 (Barcode: 5903819630022) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the fifth album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Rafal SarneckiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Lukasz PoprawskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Piotr WylezolFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech PulcynFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by the leader. The music was recorded at Studio Tokarnia and engineered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, with the usual excellent sonic quality. I have been following Sarnecki’s musical path since his debut album from 2008, and he emerges as one of the most surprising and constantly developing artists on the Polish Jaz scene. His long stay in US obviously influenced his creative process, but luckily did not manage to destroy his European ancestry, and this album, his first since his return to Poland, is the best evidence of that. The music is extremely eclectic, with each of the compositions on the album being completely different, which potentially might have been enormously hazardous and chaotic, but surprisingly Sarnecki managed to develop a sonic coherence, which makes listening to this music not only an intellectual challenge but also a highly rewarding experience. This collection of highly unique and even weird tunes, is in my opinion absolutely delightful and stunning. Part of the success is undoubtedly due to the superb team of Polish Jazz musicians selected for this project, who are able to overcome the devilishly complex chord and rhythm changes without a hitch. Poprawski, who is relatively less recognized on the local scene, does a sublime job taking care of most of the soloing. Wylezol, one of my favorite Polish Jazz pianists, who also gets way less respect and recognition that he deserves, is also perfect for the job, as is the fabulous rhythm section. Most importantly, the leader plays rather sparingly, mostly participating in the ensemble sound rather than feature his guitar parts, which is way more typical of European Jazz that the American approach, which puts the soloing in the center of attention. Overall, this is a brilliant, highly unique album, which offers some of the most fascinating music I happened to listen to lately, and is probably the most interesting Polish Jazz album of 2022, so far. It leaves the listener with a longing to hear more, which happens so rarely these days. Congratulations, my Friend, this is definitely your best work so far and I wish you to uphold this path in the future!

Updated: 26/10/2022Posted: 26/10/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PRZEMYSLAW STRACZEK ~ CULTURAL CONCEPT VOICE MUSIC 1004 (Barcode: 5906489287220) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Przemyslaw StraczekFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Taiwanese erhuist / vocalist Chiao-Hua ChangFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej KitajewskiFind albums by this artist, Columbian (resident in Poland) percussionist Edilson Sanchez-MoyanoFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. Kora player / vocalist Kandara DiebateFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Marcin KaletkaFind albums by this artist guest on selected tracks. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by the leader and one is by Diebate. Straczek has been quite prolific over the years and recorded several albums over time, and I am only familiar with some of them. Those that I know are all Fusion oriented and lately they also involve strong ethnic influences, which is also the main theme of this album, which firmly belongs to the Jazz-World Fusion idiom. Although the music is well played, it lacks focus, constantly moving between African, Chinese and other ethnic influences and straightforward Fusion, which is good for diversity but makes it difficult for the listener to find a clear thread to identify with the music. The Polish rhythm section is providing an excellent backbone, but Straczek continues to explore the Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist influenced Fusion and the other musicians follow their ethnic roots, which somehow does not work together all that well. Overall, although created by very able musicians, the album lacks clear aesthetic center and sounds like a random collection of tracks put together. There are some very nice moments here and there, but as a whole I’d rather pass. Of course this is only my personal view and what do I know…?

Updated: 21/01/2023Posted: 21/01/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend