Record Reviews

ALMOST JAZZ GROUP ~ FADE OUT WOOD AND MOOD 0005 (Barcode: 5907222681015) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the third album by the Polish quartet called Almost Jazz GroupFind albums by this artist, led by accordionist / composer Pawel NowakFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Ignacy Jan WisniewskiFind albums by this artist. The rhythm section comprises of bassist Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Antoni WojnarFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions: two each by Nowak and Wisniewski, three by Sadowski and one by Wojnar. The quartet´s name accurately describes the music that it presents, which is borderline Jazz, based on melodic themes which serve as basis for the improvisations, which are very tamed and stay within the strict mainstream idiom, bordering on Groove, Smooth Jazz and even Pop. Nevertheless the music is very well composed, coherent and harmonically pleasing, without being trivial or crossing over to kitsch. Personally I love the accordion´s sound and regret it is such a neglected instrument in Jazz, in spite of its enormous potential. The subtle balance between the accordion and the piano creates a wonderful atmosphere, which suits both the melancholic ballads and the swinging pieces. The bass supports the soloist amicably and very accurately, adding a crucial ingredient to the music. The drums are a bit too Rocky at times for this kind of music, but nothing dramatic which would break the charm. Both Nowak and Wisniewski play excellently and with obvious emotional involvement. Overall this is a very pleasant, somewhat nostalgic album, very well recorded, which offers a splendid listening experience to connoisseurs of the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but still being honest, superbly played and definitely worthy of listening. I had a great fun listening to it and I´m sure it will work for many other listeners as well – recommended!

Updated: 27/10/2017Posted: 27/10/2017

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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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QUINDEPENDENCE ~ CIRCUMSTANCES NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5908254159688) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz ensemble QuindependenceFind albums by this artist which comprises of saxophonist / flautist Krzysztof MatejskiFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dominik BorekFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal SalamonFind albums by this artist, bassist Milosz SkwirutFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel NowakFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four of which are original compositions (two each by Skwirut and Salamon), another two are arrangements of the first two of the fascinating seven piano pieces by Erik SatieFind albums by this artist called Gnossiennes and the last is a Polish Jazz standard by Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist. The music is modern melodic mainstream Jazz, with excellent original compositions and quite unusual complexity, which offers an excellent listening adventure. Although still full of the typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, the music goes beyond the typical conventions and boldly steps into new territory, which even much more established ensembles of this king rarely visit. The instrumental proficiency of these young players is also quite astounding, both on the individual level and as an ensemble. The complex music flows naturally and coherently, allowing for plenty of soloing opportunities and even some free form ensemble improvisation. Salamon, who is both a gifted composer and beautifully lyrical pianist (well remembered from the albums by F.O.U.R.S. CollectiveFind albums by this artist or MonosiesFind albums by this artist ensemble), sets the harmonic anchor for the proceedings and the horns deliver plenty of fiery moments. Skwirut not only keeps the music on track by his bass pulsations but also offers his two superb compositions, which are the most challenging pieces herein. Overall this is a wonderful debut album, which was sadly lost somewhere amongst the multitude of the excellent Polish Jazz releases at the time. Since the album was not followed by other releases, I assume it is not active any more, which is a pity. I have no idea how it arrived on my desk four years after it was released, but better late than never is absolutely true in this case as well.

Updated: 04/04/2020Posted: 04/04/2020

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SUOVA ~ SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by young Polish ensemble SuovaFind albums by this artist, which consists of keyboardist / composer Arcadius MauritzFind albums by this artist, vocalist / composer / lyricist Martyna ZajacFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Rafal DubickiFind albums by this artist, bassist Artur PruzinskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel NowakFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original songs co-composed by Mauritz and Zajac with lyrics (in English, except one in Polish) by Zajac. The music is a nice mixture of Pop and Groove with strong Jazz undercurrents, similar to the excellent album by the KA1Find albums by this artist ensemble I reviewed recently, which also features Mauritz on keyboards. Although pretty straightforward the music has a charm about it, which is difficult to ignore, and is a splendid listening experience on the lighter side of the good music spectrum. The compositions are solid and the performances able, which is already better than most of the "music" made today. The modest but exactly right on the money trumpet parts are for me the proverbial cherry on top. As to the vocals, my aversion of Polish female vocalists singing in English is universally known and this album is no exception. As usual the one track with Polish vocals proves the case. Zajac offers some vocalese (sadly only a taste of) which she performs flawlessly but her accent and English pronunciation sound a bit "funny", which spoils the true abilities of her vocals. But all things considered, they are still impressive. Overall this is a very exciting debut album which offers some superb music and a great groovy feeling, without trying to be pompous and maintaining artistic quality. A bit on the "short" side with just thirty seven minutes of music, this album is definitely worthy being explored and appreciated, especially during this hot summer while enjoying a long cool drink, not to mention its danceability.

Updated: 30/06/2019Posted: 30/06/2019

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