Record Reviews

(0-58) ~ TRYBY 0-58 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This is the third album by Polish Jazz vocalist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist and her second recording with the group (0-58)Find albums by this artist, which paired her as a co-leader with guitarist / composer Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist. The group also included accordionist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist. The album includes eight original compositions, seven of which are by Grzywacz with lyrics by Stanko and one is an instrumental by Lemanczyk, where Stanko uses wordless vocalese only. Musically the album is a striking amalgam of cross-genre explorations, which could be labeled as Jazz-Rock Fusion, but in truth comprises of many other musical influences and sources, from French musette via alternative Rock, RIO, Fusion, Prog and probably quite a few others, all resting firmly in the Jazz tradition. The eclecticism is not only part of the composition but is also reflected in the entirely unusual overall sonic atmosphere, which moves between the accordion inspired jubilation to dark, melancholic and deeply lyrical pieces, especially those featuring Stanko with Grzywacz on acoustic guitar and supported by the incredible bass lines by Lemanczyk and percussive ornamentation by Jahr. The album offers so many incredible musical moments that by and large the listener has barely time to enjoy one piece of music and is immediately thrown into completely new surroundings. The level of performances on this album is simply astounding. Stanko, as usual, presents the lyrics with a theatrical sensitivity and the instrumentalists magically perform a set of chameleonic tricks, changing moods and tempi on the fly, often using those strange odd meters, which make music exciting. The decision to use the accordion is a blessing as this fantastic instrument is able to produce a variety of sounds, so sweet and natural, that no synthesizer can ever come close to. Paciorek is obviously a Master and his solos, as well as his accompaniments are a real joy. Grzywacz is a versatile player with great technique and sensitivity, which is quite evident here and his solos are a classic examples of what Jazz / Fusion guitar playing should be all about. Lemanczyk is a true giant, and his strong acoustic bass lines on this album often sound as if produced by a bass guitar, which is quite incredible, Jahr is an excellent drummer and his all-around experience playing in many different musical areas makes him an ideal contributor on this recording. In retrospect it appears that this is definitely one of the best offerings of the Polish Jazz / Fusion scene in the first decade of the 21st Century and it certainly deserves much more attention and praise than it originally gained at the time of its release. Seemingly out of print, perhaps a reissue us in order? Delightful stuff!

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AD SHAVE ~ AD COMPLEMENTUM SOLITON 880 (Barcode: 5901571098807) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by Polish Jazz drummer / composer Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist, which compliments (as the title suggests) his debut album entitled "Ad ShaveFind albums with this title", released this time under the Ad ShaveFind albums by this artist moniker rather than under his own name. It was recorded with an excellent team of Polish Jazz musicians which include saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist, pianist / accordionist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and several other musicians appearing on selected tracks. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are composed or co-composed by Golicki, one each is composed by Paciorek and Lemanczyk and one is a Classical piece. The music is a wonderful collection of beautiful melodies, arranged mostly in a smooth Jazz-Rock Fusion mode and superbly performed by all the musicians involved. Although not innovative as such, the music is simply perfect in what it stands for and a schoolbook example of contemporary Fusion, which concentrates on excellent compositions and skillful arrangements rather than exploring endless instrumental doodling. The album is a most enjoyable ride, full of excellently weaved melodies, exciting soloing and a coherent "good time" approach, which is a breath of fresh air as far as most contemporary Fusion is concerned. Personally I had a great time listening to this music, which although seemingly pretty straightforward, does not make any compromises as far as aesthetic values are concerned and is an example of good taste and first class craftsmanship both on the compositional and performing platforms. Warmly recommended to Jazz-Rock Fusion fans, which prefer depth to flashy showmanship!

Updated: 04/05/2019Posted: 04/05/2019

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BABYSZKA / LEMANCZYK / GOLICKI ~ LUTOSIA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the Polish Jazz trio consisting of pianist Maja BabyszkaFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by Lemanczyk, one is an arrangement of a Classical piece by Polish composer Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist and one is a John ColtraneFind albums by this artist composition. The music is brilliant modern European Jazz, sparkling with freshness and inventiveness, which never ceases to amaze. The trio offers a unique atmosphere of tranquility, even on the up-tempo pieces, and intimate interplay between the trio members. Lemanczyk, who is undoubtedly one of the finest European Jazz bass virtuosi, dominates the album with his steadfast lead and amazing technique, both on the acoustic bass and the bass guitar, which seems to be his preferred arme de choix lately. Since most of the music features his excellent lyrical compositions, he is the obvious trailblazer here, which of course does not weaken the contributions by the other members of the trio. Babyszka, despite her tender age and novice status, appears as an excellent player, with tons of potential, which means she is surely going to take us all by surprise, assuming her studies in the US will not extinguish her talent. Golicki, an already established name on the Polish Jazz scene, also performs spotlessly and passionately, as appropriate for the occasion. The album recorded three years ago during an unexpected short studio session, offers not only great music, but also a beautiful sound quality, which allows the listener to enjoy every nuance of the delightful music. Overall, although almost a spur of the moment session, this is one of the nicest and most inspiring Polish Classic Jazz piano trio recordings in the last few years, which is an absolute delight from start to finish. I have no idea if this trio has any plans to repeat this experience, but one can always hope. This is Polish / European Jazz at its absolute best, making this little gem an essential listening!

Updated: 17/11/2023Posted: 17/11/2023

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JERRY BERGONZI / JACEK KOCHAN / PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ THREE POINT SHOT INTUITION 71302 (Barcode: 608917130225) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is an album by a trio comprising of American saxophonist / composer Jerry BergonziFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section with bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek KochanFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, three composed by Bergonzi, two each by Lemanczyk and Kochan and one by Finnish saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist. The music is modern Jazz, quite remote from the American tradition, despite the fact that Bergonzi played with many top American Jazz musicians for many years. The two Poles have a strong influence on the proceedings, both as composers and performers, and are both up to the challenge playing with Bergonzi without any inferiority feelings involved. The intimate trio format allows all three musicians to show their skills and talents, which of course are very impressive. Lemanczyk is definitely one of the top Polish Jazz bassists and a very able composer, and Kochan is utterly unique and original drummer, who follows his own rules and desires. Combined with Bergonzi’s refined skills and great experience, the trio is able to weave some very inspiring moments, which border on Free but never quite leave the melodic and rhythmic threads. Overall, this is a very impressive saxophone trio recording, which is not an easy listening experience but offers musical depth and incredible instrumental abilities by these excellent musicians. Jazz listeners, who love their music served with some challenge, should find this album most rewarding.

Updated: 17/02/2025Posted: 17/02/2025

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ DOMINIK BUKOWSKI & PROJEKTOR ALLEGRO 010 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent ensemble which comprises of saxophonists Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and Lukasz PoprawskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, drummer Hubert ZemlerFind albums by this artist and Pawel GrabowskiFind albums by this artist who employs live electronics. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Bukowski except for one track being co-credited to Grabowski, which is a soundtrack to a short film, which is also included as part of this enhanced CD. The music is absolutely stunning, typical melancholic Polish Jazz at its best, with beautifully woven melodies, which are then developed by the ensemble to form serene soundscapes, many of which could serve as soundtracks of imaginary movies, not only the last track on the album, which is a soundtrack in reality. Bukowski emerges from the very first moments of this album as an important composer, which of course would be reconfirmed time after time in the years that followed this recording. The personal contributions by the musicians involved in making this album are all first class. Bukowski deliberately takes a step back and solos rather sparingly, but when he takes the lead his performance is mesmerizing. Most of the solos are performed by Staroniewicz, who is definitely one of the best players in the country with an incredible melodic lyrical tone and virtuosic improvisational qualities. Lemanczyk, again one of the finest players in Poland, does his bass magic like a dream. Zemler plays carefully and intelligently in the background in order to keep the delicate balance this music so much depends on intact. The electronic / sampled ornamentations are all non-obtrusive and well suited to the atmosphere of the music, fitting very well into the overall ambience. Overall this is a superb debut and a fantastic Polish Jazz album, which is mostly overlooked in retrospect, definitely deserving an honorable place on the short list of best albums recorded during the first decade of the 21st Century. Those fans of Polish Jazz that missed getting it at the time: it´s never too late for great music!

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ SIMPLE WORDS SOLITON 354 (Barcode: 5901571093543) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the fourth album as a leader by Polish vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, one of the most prolific and sought after musicians in his country, with an impressive record both as a leader and a sideman and certainly a great master of the neglected vibraphone. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Bukowski, performed by a quartet which also includes the Indonesian pianist Sri HanuragaFind albums by this artist, legendary bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. Bukowski consistently produces excellent music showcasing both his talents as an instrumentalist and his abilities as a composer of witty, intelligent and beautifully melodic tunes, and this album is no different in any respect. The music flows seemingly effortlessly from the opening chords till the last note, full of lyrical statements, changing tempi and featuring many breathtaking solo spots. The decision to use the piano, which is a novelty as far as Bukowski´s groups are concerned, introduces a much broader harmonic spectrum and a more contemplative mood than his earlier albums, which featured reeds or brass. Of course vibes and piano have to be carefully balanced not to crash with each other, but this quartet manages to overcome this obstacle immaculately. The individual performances are, as expected, flawless and highly professional. Bukowski´s vibes are always right on, preserving the bells of heaven quality, which he manages to maintain for many years. The young and energetic pianist has an excellent technique and does a perfect job both accompanying the vibraphone parts, which is by far nor easy, and shines brightly on his own parts. Lemanczyk is, as always, simply divine, with his strong and precise virtuoso bass lines carrying the music on a magic carpet. Jarosz is always a solid player, keeping time and managing not to become too obtrusive in the delicate balance between the other members of the quartet. Overall this is another addition to Bukowski´s already sizeable and meaningful legacy, which just got expanded by another important jewel. It´s good to see that he manages to change and develop without loosing his basic qualities but not resting comfortably in one niche, which vibraphone players unfortunately often do. This is perhaps not revolutionary or highly innovative music, but it is perfect in what it does and should be treated as such. Hopefully we won´t have to wait another four years or more for the next project and album. As usual, respect Maestro!

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ VICE VERSA SOLITON 125 (Barcode: 5907577112530) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is the third album as a leader by Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet format with two Finnish musicians: saxophonist Joonatan RautioFind albums by this artist and drummer Ville PynssiFind albums by this artist and his faithful companion since many years bass virtuoso Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, three each by Bukowski and Rautio and one by Lemanczyk. Although well within the Jazz mainstream, this album simply fulfills all the basic requirements expected from a superb Jazz production: beautiful melodies, excellent improvisations, superb teamwork and a crystal clear sound quality. Bukowski, as evident from his numerous other recordings, is the top vibraphone player on the Polish scene and his eloquence is simply astounding, as are his composing skills. Lemanczyk, one of my favorite Polish Jazz bassists, is also perfect all the way through. His sense of melody and understanding of the role of bass in a Jazz ensemble is second to none. The two Finns, although still relatively young, display here first class musicianship and in the case of Rautio also great compositional talent. Overall this is a first-class mainstream album, which makes no compromises whatsoever, keeping the music swinging and melodic and yet full of elegance and flair. This music has, perhaps unintentionally, a certain "retro" flavor, taking an experienced listener back to the 1950s and the Cool era, when the music was all about good taste and beautiful ladies. Of course any Jazz connoisseur should simply love this stuff to bits, as this music is so likeable that it makes you press the "repeat" button of your player instantly. Thank you guys for this little gem! This album is now four years old and one can only hope that we won´t have to wait much longer for another Bukowski recording, what do you say Dominik?

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ AT HOME FM 009 (Barcode: 888174080475) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, who emerges as one of the leaders of the local scene in the second decade of the 21st Century. His prolific activity as a player and recording artist is unprecedented and his rapid development as a musician and composer, as documented by his frequent recordings, is simply astounding. This album is a "home" recording in a trio format, with the same lineup that recorded Fortuna´s previous album "SahjiaFind albums with this title", which features the brilliant and by now veteran bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and the excellent drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist (of RGGFind albums by this artist fame). The material includes eleven original compositions, seven of which are by the leader and the remaining four (which are parts of a four-piece suite, the first of which features vocals by Marta PodulkaFind albums by this artist) are credited to the trio. Following a period of touring together, this trio is a prime example of team cooperation and collective effort, which results in the outcome being much more than a sum of its parts. One should hardly look at this music as a leader with a supporting rhythm section; on the contrary Fortuna puts his ego away in order to construct a unit, which performs as one. Obviously there is also plenty of superb soloing here, as appropriate for a Jazz recording; Lemanczyk plays way beyond a typical role required by a bassist; his lyricism and sublime feel of harmony create a whole layer of background sounds parallel to trumpet lines, Gradziuk hardly ever keeps time per se, using his kit as a melodic environment and less so as a rhythmic tool and Fortuna is of course phenomenal as a soloist, with a beautiful tone and breathtaking arpeggios. His playing is changing over time to become similar to the great Jazz trumpeters of the past, even somewhat similar to early Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, but much more polished technically. The most important characteristic of the wonderful music presented here is its minimalism and modesty. There is so much lyricism and melancholy in Fortuna´s compositions that they become probably the most genuine extensions of the Polish Jazz legacy that first started in the 1960s. It´s not a conscious attempt to play "retro" oriented music, au contraire it is completely up to date, and yet, at least for me, it carries on the tradition more than most other Polish Jazz ensembles do at the moment. There is also more freedom here than in Fortuna´s earlier recordings, without loosing any of the coherence and clarity his music is blessed with. This melody based Free Jazz is after all the ideal mixture of everything Jazz is all about: a perfect marriage of discipline and liberty. This is a remarkable album by all standards and it is a pleasure to follow the development of such talented Artists, who are like a tree bearing better and better fruit year after year. There is nothing else one can do but raise one´s hat in salute and hope for the next harvest. God bless you guys for sharing this music with us.

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ SAHJIA FM 007 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the third album as a leader by young Polish Jazz trumpeter Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist and also his third album as a leader or co-leader released in 2012, which definitely seems to be his breakthrough year. The album was recorded in a trio setting with the excellent rhythm section comprising of bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist (of RGGFind albums by this artist fame), recorded live during several of the trio´s performances at various venues around Poland. Six of the tunes appearing on the album were composed by Fortuna and the remaining two by Lemanczyk. There is also an unlisted bonus track, which features pianist Lukasz OjdanaFind albums by this artist as a guest. The album is obviously a document, capturing the trumpeter at this specific stage of his career, rather that a pre-planned studio recording, which usually is intended as a next stage in any musician´s path of continuous development. As such it is absolutely perfect in what it does, with the natural open sound, no editing and somewhat casual straightforward capture of the music, including the audience´s reaction. Clearly the music is at the center here and everything else is superfluous. The most striking effect of these recordings is the importance of the teamwork, which is absolutely stunning. This is not a leader / sidemen situation, as all three players contribute equally to the overall result at all stages. These players are undoubtedly virtuosi on their respective instruments, as anybody familiar with the Polish Jazz scene already knows, but in this situation the trio is definitely much more powerful than the sum of its respective ingredients. Also the musical ambience prevailing on these recordings is significantly more free and open than on the earlier recordings by Fortuna, which enables him and his cohorts to take off and hover above the earthly plane defined by the basic melody and chord changes. With the support of this specific rhythm section, the possibilities seem to completely unlimited. In addition to the leader´s soloing, which of course is the albums focal point, both the bassist and the drummer solo extensively, turning the music into a spectacular listening experience, full of emotional fireworks and uplifting displays of sheer musical delight. We should be grateful that Fortuna decided to capture this music for posterity, as it would have simply faded out into the past leaving those, who didn´t attend these concerts, without the opportunity to enjoy its glory. Fortuna is definitely a player to be watched closely in the future. With 2012 behind us the future looks decisively very bright for him, and his position at the center of the local scene seems to be ensured. He deserves to be recognized worldwide and hopefully this will be the next stage of his career. In the meantime a big thank you for a wonderful musical 2012 - Well done indeed!

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MACIEJ FORTUNA ~ SOLAR RING FM 005 (Barcode: 5907529223499) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the 2nd album as a leader by the young Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Maciej FortunaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with the excellent Polish bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and US drummer Frank ParkerFind albums by this artist, who took part in Fortuna´s debut recording. All the music on the album is original and of the nine compositions present Fortuna composed six, Lemanczyk two and one is a Lemanczyk / Parker co-composition. The music is quite excellent and although kept within the boundaries of modern mainstream Jazz, it often sounds unusual as far as the tonality and rhythmic approach are concerned, incorporating World-Music elements in both areas. The fact that Fortuna decided to create the album in the difficult trumpet trio format proves his self-confidence, which fortunately is fully justified. The trio format works perfectly here and suffers nothing from the lack of an accompanying harmonic instrument. The individual performances by all three musicians are first class from start to finish. Lemanczyk uses a full-body tone with a lot of pulsating vibrato, which is perfect for this setting and Parker ornaments the music rather than keeping time, which is done mostly by the bass. Fortuna´s playing is inspired and technically excellent. His lyricism, expressed primarily by his flugelhorn solos, is the highlight of his playing, but his up-tempo trumpet excursions are exciting and quite electrifying as well. Perhaps he is not quite there yet, as far as building his completely unique voice on the trumpet, but such a process takes many years and Fortuna has, after all, all the future ahead of him. Overall the album presents Fortuna as a maturing player / composer, who is sure to occupy a center-stage position on the vigorous Polish Jazz scene in the years to come. If the level of excellence, as documented here, as well as the refinement of his personal voice will continue on the path he has already travelled on, his success is guaranteed. This album should prove a source of joy to all trumpet aficionados, and Jazz buffs in general, and is of course wholeheartedly recommended. Satisfaction guaranteed!

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MARCIN GAWDZIS ~ MIND RECOVERY SOLITON 892 (Barcode: 5901571098920) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with other veterans of the Polish Baltic Jazz scene: pianist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist (mostly known as an accordion virtuoso), brilliant bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Gawdzis. The music is a highly melodic mainstream Jazz, somewhere between Bebop and Hard Bop, but with the usual Polish twist, adding elements of Slavic melancholy and lyricism. Al the melodies are wonderfully crafted and harmonically coherent, serving as excellent examples of contemporary Jazz firmly based in the classic Jazz tradition. If blind tested this album might be easily mistaken as a Blue Note session from the 1960s, and I mean this as a compliment. All four instrumentalists present a proficient technical level and a high sensitivity, which is obviously world class in every respect. Gawdzis has a clear and precise tonality and his solos are perfectly structured. Paciorek is the romantic of the four and his harmonies are always where they belong and his solos are heartbreaking. Lemanczyk, as always, pours his heart out and his bass lines are elegant and sophisticated, as expected from one of the top bass players in the country. Sowinski plays delicately, in accordance with the character of the music, staying mostly in the background, but his presence is felt in the places where a rhythmic support is needed. Polish Jazz scene is famous for its young generation of superb Avant-Garde / modernist trumpeters, which is truly amazing in every respect, but there are still several excellent conventional players, like Gawdzis, who also deserve the attention of Jazz fans; this album is definitely the proof of such well deserved attention. Overall this is a splendid mainstream Jazz album with excellent compositions and admirable performances, which should be interesting to every Jazz connoisseur on this globe. Very well done Gentlemen!

Updated: 03/05/2019Posted: 03/05/2019

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ADAM GOLICKI ~ REFLECTIONS DAYMUSIC 01 (Barcode: 198000473723) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the third album as a leader by Polish Jazz drummer / composer Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a classic guitar trio setting with two veterans of the local scene: guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist and bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, who plays both acoustic and electric basses. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Golicki. The album shows a much serious facet of Golicki’s music in comparison to his earlier efforts, which presented an easy-going approach with a Fusion oriented approach. This time we are presented with a collection of carefully crafted tunes, strictly within modern mainstream Jazz, which are treated seriously and respectfully by the trio in a traditional Jazz manner. The music has a certain melancholic tinge, which suits the trio format perfectly. The performances are, as expected, exemplary, with Grzywacz playing the themes and improvisations with technical precision and obvious feel for the music. Lemanczyk is absolutely brilliant, both as an accompanist and soloist, and as usual “steals the show” with his virtuosity, a phenomenon repeating itself on all the recordings he takes part in, which he simple cannot avoid in view of his extraordinary technique and talent. The leader plays very tastefully and with great sensitivity, which is also apparent on the current recording he made with the Confusion ProjectFind albums by this artist, of which he is a founding member, album “LastFind albums with this title”, Overall, this album is an important milestone in Golicki’s recording career, certainly his most impressive achievement so far, which of course is very welcome. For guitar lovers this is a great opportunity to hear some beautiful guitar playing in the true Jazz spirit, avoiding the overbearing Fusion mannerisms, and of course a superb display of bass playing, which every bass player the world over surely can learn something from. This is a typical example of “less is more”, which in this crazy world we live in is a welcome balsam to one’s ears. Well done!

Updated: 21/11/2021Posted: 21/11/2021

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SLAWOMIR JASKULKE ~ LIVE GDYNIA SUMMER JAZZ DAYS 2001 ALLEGRO 003 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Slawomir JaskulkeFind albums by this artist, recorded live in a classic trio / quartet setting with saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions; three of which are by the leader and two are by Sikala. The first two numbers are performed by the trio and the other three by the quartet. Jaskulke is considered as one of the most brilliant representatives of the young generation of Polish Jazz pianists and his achievements during the first decade of the 21st Century are indeed remarkable and include performances around the globe and numerous recordings as leader and sidemen (including those with the veteran Polish Jazz icon Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist). He has also composed music for theatre and cinema. Anybody listening to this album at the time of its release should have expected great things from Jaskulke, as it is a truly outstanding debut. The trio numbers present Jaskulke as an amazing piano virtuoso, playing in a unique style, which is incredibly percussive and powerful, whereas the quartet numbers present his gentler side as a balladeer, playing beautifully restrained melodic phrases or as an ensemble player of great sensitivity. Such incredible versatility is very rare indeed and when executed with a magic touch like the one he presents here, it is simply marvelous. Considering the fact that Jaskulke was only twenty two years old at the time of the recording one must admit that this is a discovery of an extraordinary talent. Musically the trio and the quartet are also quite different, with the material written by the leader being much more open and often freely structured, whereas the numbers written by the saxophonist are pretty standard mainstream Jazz compositions, both very good, but not special in any way. In a sense it seems as if these two different settings belong on two separate albums, but what was done can not be undone, so one should enjoy the fact that this marvelous music was captured for posterity and we can listen to it again and again. The rhythm section performs exactly as expected, changing the volume and presence according to the specific requirements of the moment, always there when one expects them to be, keeping perfect time (which is not always easy here) and modestly displaying another level of virtuosity. Together the ensemble sounds like an unstoppable locomotive, which runs amok, especially in the last tune. This is definitely an album every Jazz piano lover should listen to, sooner or later, an experience he´ll never regret nor forget. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ AMHRAN SOLITON 267 (Barcode: 5901571092676) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist is a household name on the local scene and over the years he gained a considerable reputation as one of the most talented, versatile, dependable and imaginative bass players around. His numerous recordings in the last decade present a musician of many faces, who feels completely comfortable playing Free Jazz, melodic lyrical mainstream Jazz and anything in between. This album finds Lemanczyk in a trio setting, with US (British born) saxophonist Seamus BlakeFind albums by this artist and Polish drummer Jacek KochanFind albums by this artist, playing mostly music he composed. Of the eight compositions present on the album seven are by Lemanczyk and the remaining one is by Kochan. The music is free-spirited and open, not Free Jazz per se, as it is based on pre-composed themes, but it emphasizes the improvisations, focusing on them rather than on the melodic or even harmonic backbone. Naturally the saxophone stands in the centre of attention, but a careful listener will notice immediately that this is first and foremost a collective performance, which never falls back into a soloist / rhythm section situation, like most other saxophone trio recordings. Although Lemanczyk solos as well, his most significant contribution is simply playing along with his cohorts, demonstrating ears wide open and undivided attention and respect towards his partners. The drums often take a step back on this album, which leaves the dialog between the saxophone and bass as the centerpiece of this beautiful music. I wonder if other listeners will share my view that this album is largely atypical as far as Polish Jazz is concerned. That omnipresent lyricism / intrinsic melancholy, that is the trademark of Polish Jazz, is almost completely gone herein. If I listened to this music blindfolded, I´d most probably deduce that this is an American album. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why, but the way the saxophonist improvises and Lemanczyk / Kochan respond is a classic example of contemporary American Jazz characteristics. Any way one looks at (or rather listens to) this music, one thing is apparent: this is masterly conceived and superbly executed stuff, which has so much to offer that even an experienced Jazz connoisseur will need to contemplate and absorb this music for a while in order to fully comprehend it. There is simply to much aesthetic beauty here to be taken in at one go. One can only hope this music will reach as many appreciative listeners as it truly deserves. This album is an absolute must for all Polish Jazz fans and any serious Jazz buff anywhere on this planet should be able to enjoy this music to the fullest, even if it will take more than one listening session to get there. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ FOLLOW THE SOUL ALLEGRO 006 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. It was recorded by several different lineups, mostly quartets, with the following participants: saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist, Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist and Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist, guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Of the seven tracks on the album, six are original compositions by Lemanczyk and one is a standard. The music is kept well within the modern Jazz mainstream, but the excellent compositions and performances create a superb piece of Jazz music, which should satisfy every sensitive listener. The use of the vibraphone instead of the usual piano gives the entire recording a "cool" ambience, which suits the music perfectly. The leader gets several solo spots, which emphasize his beautiful tone and sensitivity, rather than needless pyrotechnics. As usual with Polish Jazz albums, the music is the center of the attention, in spite of the truly excellent playing, which is beyond reproach from start to finish. The melodic content and the rhythmic structures are simply incredible and a source of real joy. Overall this album is a perfect example of what mainstream Jazz is all about and should be greatly enjoyed by any Jazz connoisseur anywhere in the world. Highly recommended!

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ IN SIMPLICITY SOLITON 670 (Barcode: 5901571096704) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 As hard as it is to believe, this is the first piano trio album by veteran Polish Jazz bass virtuoso / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. He combined forces with two top local musicians, pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, and recorded eight original compositions, all created by him, which are presented here. The album offers superb sound quality, which for piano trio recordings is an essential part of the entire artistic experience. For people familiar with Lemanczyk´s recording career as a leader and sideman this album is about to change the entire perception of his musical persona. His traditional association with mainstream Jazz, always wonderfully creative and sublimely executed, is however completely shattered here, with his unforeseen venture into modern Jazz, very open and often startlingly full of Free Form vistas. The music is still very well behaved of course (admittedly to a trained ear), with distinct melody motifs and stable rhythmic backbone, but the piano parts float freely on the wings of the imagination, taking the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is probably not a wild guess to assume that Wania´s presence is the decisive factor influencing the character of this music. His charismatic, almost magical musical mastery turns everything he touches into instant musical gold, and this album is just one of many examples of Wania´s artistry. He is undoubtedly a force of Nature and a most significant Polish Jazz musician to arrive on the scene in the last decade. The piano playing on this album is an absolute pinnacle of modern Jazz. Lemanczyk not only offers his brilliant compositions, but also performs some hair-raising bass soli throughout the album´s duration, which combine his virtuosity, sublime feel of melody and improvisation aesthetics, which are very rarely found within one person. Since he is after all the leader, his bass parts are more frequent and expanded than one would usually find on a piano trio album, all for the best of course. Miskiewicz, assuredly a Master drummer, is one of the most diverse players on the Polish scene, with a most impressive recording legacy. But he is, to me, first and foremost an ideal "third leg" in a piano trio setting, which of course is already quite obvious to Jazz listeners familiar with his career so far. His performances are, as expected, nothing short of brilliant, full of inventiveness, and most importantly the precise dynamics, which is so important in the delicate piano trio setting. Overall this is an amazing album, a wonderful breath of fresh air, which makes one´s head dizzy at first but euphoric for the duration. Playing on "repeat" (happens very rarely in my case) this music gets better with every spin, as hard as it is to believe. It seems I already have my Polish Jazz album of the years for 2020. Don´t you dare to miss it!!!

Updated: 19/05/2020Posted: 19/05/2020

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ NAHA PEOPLE SOLITON 122 (Barcode: 5907577112233) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is a wonderful album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with American trumpeter Tim HagansFind albums by this artist and Polish vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and veteran drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist. On three tracks the lineup is expanded to a quintet with the inclusion of saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Lemanczyk. The music is a brilliant example of modern Polish Jazz at its best, with superb compositions full of lyricism and elegance, as always in the case of Lemanczyk. Although within the mainstream idiom, the compositions allow for a degree of Freedom, which allows the soloists and the entire ensemble to float around the harmony and the rhythmic patterns, adding an element of surprise and curiosity. Although at the time of writing the album is nine years old, it sounds completely fresh and lost absolutely nothing of its vitality. The individual statements are all excellent, as appropriate for musicians of this class. Hagans plays amazing staccato phrases and his clear tone and articulation are exemplary. I am pretty sure that the unusual lineup and Lemanczyk´s brilliant compositions are able to squeeze more out of him than his work within an American environment, which explains why he tends to play extensively with Europeans. Bukowski stays mostly in the background, although of course his playing always deserves to be up front, setting the harmonic layer for the music. His almost brotherly cooperation with Lemanczyk is an obvious bond of respect and complementation. Jonkisz elegantly drives the quartet / quintet with a firm hand and a gentle, respectful attitude of a true. Sikala adds some superb soloing on the tracks he is featured. Lemanczyk´s playing is of course excellent as always, both as part of the rhythm section and as a soloist, and this album, as all his recordings, show why he is considered one of the absolute top Polish / European bassist. His compositions are equally impressive, beautifully woven and always coherent, with a touch of elegance and flair that only the most skillful Jazz composers are blessed with. Overall this is, in retrospect, a classic Polish Jazz album, which deserves much more respect and attention that it received at the time of its release. Wholeheartedly recommended for all Polish Jazz fans and European Jazz connoisseurs, as an essential piece of the puzzle called Polish Jazz!

Updated: 17/06/2018Posted: 17/06/2018

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ELECTRIC BAND ~ INHERITED DREAM NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 198004805995) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the second album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist under the Electric BandFind albums by this artist moniker, this time as a basic trio with guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist, expanded to a quartet with the addition of pianist Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist. Vocalists Hanna-Sosnowska-BillFind albums by this artist and Natalia Capelik MuiangaFind albums by this artist guest each on one track. The album presents eleven original compositions, ten composed by Lemanczyk and one co-composed with Mozdzer. In the last few years Lemanczyk seems to prefer the (six strings) electric bass guitar over the acoustic bass, and his recordings become consistently more Fusion oriented, leaving Jazz behind. This album continues this new direction and offers a series of melodic compositions, performed by the quartet, with the electric bass at the very epicenter of things. Lemanczyk is a great virtuoso beyond any doubt, and the only question remains if this is enough to keep things to hold water. There is no doubt that Wadolowski refined his guitar playing over time and he adds some excellent soloing on this album and Losowski is a superb drummer with great experience and technique, who keeps this album rhythmically together. But Mozdzer seems to have kidnapped the music completely, adding his piano parts, which are hardly appropriate to the Fusiony environment, with his usual “as many notes per second as humanly possible” approach. Mozdzer’s lyrics to the song he co-composed with Lemanczyk don’t help to clear the confusion as well. As a result, the music loses its focus time after time and sadly the album, despite its potential, does not manage to create a cohesive musical massage. Overall, although offering some amazing bass guitar performances by the leader and great support by the guitarist and drummer, the album succumbs to overproduction and studio manipulation, lack of artistic vison and way too many piano notes. I miss the old Lemanczyk…

Updated: 06/04/2023Posted: 06/04/2023

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK QUART-ER ~ LIVE IN KLUB ZAK SOLITON 580 (Barcode: 5901571095806) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a live recording by a quartet led by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, which features three American Jazz musicians: saxophonist Walter Smith IIIFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin StranahanFind albums by this artist. Polish trombonist Grzegorz NagorskiFind albums by this artist joins the quartet on three tracks, expanding the lineup to a quintet. The album presents seven tunes, six of which are original compositions by Lemanczyk and one is a standard. Although Lemanczyk is definitely one of my favorite contemporary Polish Jazz musicians / composers, this album leaves me with mixed feelings, especially in comparison to his earlier recordings as a leader or sideman. Obviously since the majority of the players on this album are American, the music has almost nothing to do with Polish Jazz and should not be considered as such. Even the compositions by Lemanczyk are not able to save the day, and overall this sounds as just like one of thousands of American Jazz recordings which flood the market and are then immediately forgotten. Of course these musicians can all play very well and have been doing so since many years, but on the other hand they have been playing the same post-Bebop stuff since their student days at the Berklee College of Music (well just two of the Americans studied there). This album might have been recorded anytime between now and fifty years ago, and we wouldn´t be able to tell the difference. In short I can understand the desire to play with renowned musicians, but the fact that those musicians come from the mainstream American scene might prove to be a drawback rather than an advantage. Of course fans of mainstream American Jazz will find this album as exciting as anything else in that genre, and the two Polish musicians play at least as good as the Americans, if not better. Considering the excellent recording quality and the nice tunes by Lemanczyk, this is still an album worth listening to, but hardly anything that will change the Jazz idiom.

Updated: 31/12/2016Posted: 31/12/2016

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK / QUARTET NORTH ~ BALTIC DANCE SOLITON 387 (Barcode: 5901571093871) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 Polish bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist keeps producing beautiful music with a staggering regularity, albeit constantly changing the lineups, the musicians and the instrumentation. This project finds him in a pianoless quartet with trumpeter Emil MiszkFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Szymon LukowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Slawomir KoryznoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Lemanczyk, three of which feature a string quartet accompanying the Jazz quartet. As the album´s title suggests, Lukowski is a proud representative of the Polish Jazz scene active on the shore of the Baltic Sea, mostly around Gdansk, as are all three of his partners in this project. Over the years the Baltic scene produced some of the finest Polish Jazz achievements. In my review of the previous album by Lemanczyk, called "AmhranFind albums with this title", I mentioned that the music sounded American, i.e. different from the typical Polish Jazz, which has rather strong identity easily recognizable by a trained ear. This time the music again sounds atypical as far as Polish Jazz is concerned, and sounds pretty much like Scandinavian Jazz, which after all is created around the Baltic Sea as well. Of course these regional similarities are not meant to suggest a lack of originality, au contraire, Lemanczyk creates completely original music, and it is only the overall atmosphere that suggests a mindset typical to Jazz produced outside of Poland. All these superb compositions are a wonderful vehicle for the players to show their abilities. Szymon Lukowski is the biggest surprise here, as his playing on other Polish Jazz recordings, including his debut eponymous album, was rather restrained and unremarkable, and here he sounds like a complete different person, with highly expressive and emotional solos and a beautiful affinity towards the music, including his excellent bass clarinet parts. Emil Miszk justified the position as one of the upcoming Polish Jazz trumpeters (although the competition in that department is unbelievably tough) and blows some truly impressive licks. Slawomir Koryzno stays mostly in the background, but keeps the music flowing steadily, with grace, with an occasional solo spot, which he manages quite well. Of course Lemanczyk is a power of Nature and his virtuosi bass lines are not only the backbone of this music but also its soul and intrinsic power. This is modern Jazz at its best, with great tunes wonderfully performed by gifted musicians, who have no reason to feel any less worthy than their counterparts anywhere else in the world. This is elegant, intelligent music, which flows slowly, but reaches the deepest corners of the listener´s soul. It’s a privilege to be able to enjoy this music, which deserves to be discovered and championed as much as any true piece of Art. Well done indeed!

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TOMASZ LOSOWSKI ~ ACOUSTIC TRIO SOLITON 420 (Barcode: 5901571094205) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 Veteran Polish drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist is mostly acknowledged for his work in the Pop, Rock and Fusion fields, but this album is his first attempt to play straight Jazz. In order to do so he asked his old friend, the excellent bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and a young saxophonist Szymon LukowskiFind albums by this artist to join him and together they recorded eight original compositions, seven of which were composed by Lemanczyk and one by Lukowski. The resulting acoustic trio delivers a set of excellent pieces, featuring the saxophone as the main soloing instrument, solidly supported by the rhythm section. Lemanczyk also plays several of his amazing bass solos, which are perfect as always, and the leader, avoiding any pyrotechnics and usually completely unnecessary drum eruptions, sticks to the basics and pushes the trio ahead rhythmically, always with taste and elegance. Saxophone trios are often quite difficult and perilous undertakings, but in this case everything works as the proverbial "dream". The beautiful melodic themes, performed and improvised upon by the lyrical and clean sounding alto saxophone are a true pleasure to listen to. There is a lot of freedom, space and mutual respect among the trio members, which allows for personal expression as well as tight communication between the players. Overall this is quite a surprisingly successful album, which manages to avoid all the traps of mainstream Jazz, being unpredictable, passionate and technically proficient. Definitely a piece of music well worth discovering and wholeheartedly recommended!

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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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S. E. A. TRIO ~ INFLOW VOICE MUSIC 1010 (Barcode: 5906489287466) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the debut album by S. E. A. TrioFind albums by this artist, comprising of three prominent Polish Jazz musicians: vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions, six by Bukowski and three by Lemanczyk. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to hear a vibraphone trio recording, which is a splendid occasion to explore this wonderful musical setting, with its naked minimalism and crystal clear sound. Bukowski could not have found a better rhythm section, since both Lemanczyk, which whom he records since decades, and Gradziuk, of RGGFind albums by this artist trio fame, are both superb instrumentalists, members of the very top of the Polish Jazz league. Their skills and talents are obviously perfect for this demanding task, as the fragile and intricate music is quite tricky. Stylistically the music lies somewhere between ECMFind albums on this label era Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist and the Third Stream efforts by Polish Jazz vibraphone pioneer Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist, revisiting the vibe (pun intended) of the “old days”, but without letting the nostalgia to cut any slack. The music is vibrant and fully alive, with all three instrumentalists displaying virtuosic fluency and up to date approach. As already mentioned above, Lemanczyk is a natural choice for this project, but it’s a nice surprise to hear Gradziuk so well behaved and at the same time inventive here, proving again what a great drummer he really is. Naturally, the spotlight is all on Bukowski as the soloist and main composer, but this album is an absolute team effort, as best Jazz albums always are. It is good to hear Bukowski in his natural habitat, doing what he loves, and keeping the smile on the listener’s lips at all time. Overall, this is a splendid, beautiful Jazz album, with vibraphone at the helm, which is sadly a rare outing these days, featuring three of the top Polish Jazz players, which of course guarantees quality and class, felt from the first stroke of the mallets. Wholeheartedly recommended and an absolute must for vibraphone lovers.

Updated: 09/05/2024Posted: 09/05/2024

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SKUBISZ / LEMANCZYK COOPERATION ~ STORIES ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE AFRO VIBE 004 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rap Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Polish ensemble Skubisz / Lemanczyk CooperationFind albums by this artist, which comprises of rapper Bartlomiej SkubiszFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. EskaubeiFind albums by this artist), bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Tomek NowakFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz PalkaFind albums by this artist. DJ Wojciech DlugoszFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mr. KrimeFind albums by this artist) appears as a guest musician and plays synthesizers. The album presents nine tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Lemanczyk with texts by Skubisz and one is a composition by iconic Polish Jazz trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist with text by Skubisz, dedicated to Stanko. Listeners familiar with the Polish Jazz scene are already familiar with the Jazz-Rap Fusion recordings by Eskaubei & Tomek Nowak QuartetFind albums by this artist, which are clear predecessors of this album and include contributions by Nowak and Dlugosz. The format is very similar, but the brilliant compositions by Lemanczyk and his virtuosic electric bass performances take everything one notch higher. Skubisz, as usual, expresses his unequivocal opinions about the problems and circumstances of contemporary life, including fears and angers caused by politics, human stupidity and the ocean of excrements we all need to swim in, keeping our nose just above the surface, in order to survive. I have always admired his honesty and clear vision of reality, especially since his statements are intelligent and penetrating, rather than being rude and vile. Words of truth are definitely stronger than profanities. Nowak plays some excellent trumpet parts on this album, and being the main soloist he sets the entire mood of the music. The Jazz-Rap Fusion requires a very delicate balance between the spoken parts and the music, which this ensemble is able to maintain for the entire duration. Lemanczyk contributes the pulse, like a heartbeat, which keeps this music alive. It is worth to listen to this album several times, each time concentrating on the separate contributions by the participants, apart for listening to the album as a whole; especially Lemanczyk’s bass lines, which are Masterful, the trumpet solos and of course the texts. Overall, this is a most welcome return to the Jazz-Rap Fusion idiom by Skubisz, who is as always accompanied by excellent musicians, creating some relevant social criticism and life observations, which are not easy to hear but nevertheless absolutely necessary to keep one’s sanity. Kudos for keeping up the good work!

Updated: 13/10/2022Posted: 13/10/2022

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ AQUARIUS: THE ORCHESTRAL SESSIONS STM 006 (Barcode: 602577499500) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the 9th album by Polish Jazz vocalist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, recorded with her more or less regular musical companions: vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist. Violin virtuoso Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist guests on a couple of tracks. Additionally the Sinfonia VivaFind albums by this artist Orchestra, conducted by Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the orchestral arrangements, provides the orchestral accompaniment. The album presents ten songs, three of which were written by Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist, two by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, four are Jazz standards and one is a Polish cabaret song. Musically this album is a direct continuation of Stanko´s previous album "Novos AnosFind albums with this title", which was characterized by a distinct Bossa Nova flavor, which is also present here. The same idea of presenting well known songs in a very personal interpretation applies also here. The superb instrumental work by the excellent musicians who accompany the vocalist, are enhanced here with the addition of the orchestral arrangement, wonderfully and cleverly put together by Herdzin. Altogether the instrumental work on this album is every bit as impressive as the vocal parts. Bukowski uses the vibraphone and the marimba like a snake charmer, adopting his solos to every tune. Wadolowski plays quiet acoustic guitar parts but also excellent electric solos and consistently proves that he is one of the top guitar players on the local scene. Lemanczyk, as usual, keeps everything under control with his caressing bass lines, which fill all the spaces. Konrad is steady like the Rock of Gibraltar, and his delicate, but firm drum parts, which are the heartbeat of the music. Herdzin´s arrangements deserve praise not only for their sophistication, but more importantly for their incorporation within the overall framework of the sound, staying respectfully in the background and ornamenting the sonic whole rather that dominating it. Stanko, as usual, balances between singing lyrics and vocalese, in order to keep the things interesting. Her sensuous and dreamy voice is charming as always, and she is not trying to sound like anybody else simply being herself, a quality I always admired in her career. Her understanding of the fact that there is nothing wrong with singing standards, as long as the result is both musically solid and uncompromising, is a key ingredient of her musical mission. Overall this is a beautiful album full of superb music and outstanding performances, which can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of Jazz listeners, from complete beginners to experienced connoisseurs, with each one being able to find something that touches them. Thank you again, my Baltic Siren, for sharing your musical heart with me and everybody else who will listen to this music and enjoy it. You are the one and only, as always!

Updated: 23/03/2024Posted: 02/04/2019

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ FALE STM 007 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the 10th album by Polish Jazz vocalist / songwriter Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist this time recorded in an intimate trio setting with two of her long-time musical partners: vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven songs, one of which was written (music and lyrics) by Stanko, six were composed by Bukowski and three by Lemanczyk featuring lyrics by Stanko and finally one is a Polish Jazz standard by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. The same trio already recorded an album once before, which produced the wonderful Xmas Jazz album "Cuda OglaszajaFind albums with this title". The minimalist setting of this album allows the listener to hear really closely the work of all three participants, who are equally featured and important herein. Although released under Stanko´s name, this is a completely integral work of the trio. Stanko, who has over two decades of recording albums behind her, proves again that she is one of the very top Jazz vocalists in Poland, and the years of experience are clearly evident on this album. Coming back to the stricter Jazz environment in comparison to her last two albums, which flirted with more popular forms (still being excellent of course), Stanko utilizes somewhat different approach on this album, uses vocalese and other vocal techniques and when singing lyrics she masterly improvises with intonation, intensity and pronunciation, all in a most charming way. Bukowski, as always, weaves some superb melodies, which although never simplistic or straightforward, are always full of delicate aesthetics and beauty. There is always a "story" behind his music and Stanko´s lyrics work perfectly with his notes. His vibraphone performances are, as always, absolutely perfect, and full of sophisticated dynamics and virtuosic technical ability. Lemanczyk is, again as always, simply stunning and his bass playing puts him at the very top of European bass players list today. Both his acoustic and electric pulsations are always perfectly rounded, sublimely musical and full of his very idiosyncratic approach to the role of the bass in Jazz. His compositions are also brilliant of course, as known to his many followers. A true musician´s musician, he is always a source of great pleasure, whatever the circumstances. Overall this is a brilliant album, full of superb music and outstanding performances, which happen relatively rarely, and a great example of Jazz vocals, close interplay and above all good taste and respect of Jazz aesthetics. It is a school book example of the genre and I hope the many aspiring young Polish Jazz vocalist will take time to listen to it and more importantly learn from it, avoiding the many traps they tend to fall in on their way. Personally I wish to thank the creators of this music for giving me such pleasure while listening to their work. As for Krysia; I long for a big hug, since it has been way too long since we met last. Love you!

Updated: 23/03/2024Posted: 18/01/2021

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ KROPLA SLOWA STM 004 (Barcode: 5907592141010) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the sixth album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / lyricist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, and her most ambitious undertaking to date, as it presents her in the Jazz & Poetry setting, which is always very demanding and perilous. The album comprises of ten songs; four of which have lyrics by the Nobel Prize laureate poetess Wislawa SzymborskaFind albums by this artist (who died in 2012), two with lyrics by poetess Halina PoswiatowskaFind albums by this artist (who died in 1967 at a ridiculous young age of 32), one with lyrics by poetess Dorota SzattersFind albums by this artist (a contemporary lyricist living in Silesia, the southern part of Poland), one with lyrics by the poet Tomasz JastrunFind albums by this artist (well-known for his involvement with the underground literary movement during the Socialist regime) and the last two with lyrics by Stanko herself. Of the ten songs, seven were composed by vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, two by Stanko and one by bassist / composer Paul RutschkaFind albums by this artist, who is Stanko´s nephew. The songs are performed by Stanko, who is accompanied by a core trio, which includes Bukowski and the wonderful rhythm section of bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist. In addition several excellent musicians participate as guests adding their contributions to one or two of the songs, those being: saxophonists Maciej ObaraFind albums by this artist and Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jacek KrolikFind albums by this artist, percussionist Miroslaw HadyFind albums by this artist, Indonesian pianist Sri HanuragaFind albums by this artist and bassist Paul Rutschka. A string quartet is also utilized on a couple of songs. The presence of so many musicians creates a much diversified album, with each of the songs being quite distinct and different sounding instrumentally, which enhances the listening experience and allows for unexpected vistas. Of course the diversity does not disturb the general atmosphere of the album, which is wonderfully lyrical and introvert, as are most Polish Jazz & Poetry albums. For listeners familiar with the Polish scene, this album immediately brings on a need to match it up against the recent work by Polish Jazz vocalist Aga ZaryanFind albums by this artist, which is conceptually and spiritually in the same aesthetic sphere of influence. In fact this album is incredibly akin to Zaryan´s latest album. One can only speculate as to how much of this proximity is intentional, but probably very little. It is more likely a result of the characteristics of both Polish Jazz and Polish Poetry being so dominant, with the distinctive rhythm of the language, its "playability" and inherent musicality, which contributed to this close encounter. Of course these albums are also wonderfully different, which creates a joyous opportunity to love them both. Stanko should be praised for sticking with her mother tongue, against the temptations of "international potential", which brings many Polish singers to try their luck with texts in English. Every music connoisseur understands that vocalists are at their best when singing in their natural language, and of course even more so in case poetry is used. Stanko´s interpretation and articulation of the poems is warm and wonderfully round, expressing her deep engagement with this project. The music is also excellent, and although melodic, it proves to be quite challenging at times, with twisted progressions and unusual harmonic structure. Listeners, who are not familiar with the Polish language, will still be able to enjoy this album immensely, just listening to Stanko´s vocals as another instrument in the ensemble, carrying the melody. The overall level of performances is truly amazing. The vibraphone and marimba are difficult instruments, especially for the less experienced listeners, but Bukowski manages to use them subtly, often staying low-key and wonderfully supportive towards the vocalist. Lemanczyk plays absolutely stunningly, with his virtuosic bass lines carrying the music like wind over water. Konrad, a well-respected veteran, is the ensemble´s chronometer, without actually playing the beat, masterfully ornamenting the music with his percussive touches. The guest musicians all contribute in their relative fields of expertise. The leading Lady is firmly expressing the lyrics and yet creating a brilliant atmosphere of fragility and insecurity, as appropriate in such context. A job well done indeed! I admit falling in love with this album immediately. Those sensitive, intelligent and brilliantly talented women always capture my musical heart filling it with passion and sweet delight. Age, experience and cynicism simply melt away. The only gentlemanly thing left is to thank Stanko for creating this heartwarming peace of musical delight and wish her God´s speed. I´m already longing for the next one!

Updated: 23/03/2024Posted:

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ NOVOS ANOS FOR TUNE 0113 (Barcode: 5906395808151) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the eighth album by Polish Jazz vocalist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, recorded with her regular wonderful Baltic crew which includes vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and guest Brazilian drummer / percussionist Ze Luis NascimentoFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist on three tracks. Together they perform eleven songs (one is repeated twice), six of which were composed by Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist, and the rest by different composers like Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Mongo SantamariaFind albums by this artist and others, all with a distinct samba and bossa nova character. All the songs use English lyrics. This album marks a significant diversion in Stanko´s career, which is usually focused on singing original material composed by her or her band members. When I visited her in Gdansk three months ago, not long after this album was recorded, she told me that this was a conscious decision to create an album which could be enjoyed by a much wider audience than her previous recordings, without compromising the artistic and aesthetic values. There is no doubt that she and her band managed to do just that. The album includes mostly very well known songs, which have been previously recorded many times by artists all over the world. This album offers however a slightly different approach, with the instrumental arrangements being much more Jazzy than similar efforts. The presence of Bukowski adds another dimension, normally not present on such recordings and the brilliant bass playing by Lemanczyk firmly places these interpretation within the Jazz idiom rather that the usual Pop or easy Jazz genre. Wadolowski adds some beautiful guitar parts, which are also quite different from the standard guitar parts used on samba albums and so does Gawdzis, albeit briefly. Of course having a Brazilian drummer / percussionist on boards ensures that rhythmically everything works perfectly. Stanko´s deep sensual voice is of course ideally suited for these songs, and her vocal theatrics fit the bill perfectly. Although her pronunciation is not exactly "perfect" English, it is not significant as these songs have been sung in English by Jobim himself, Astrud GilbertoFind albums by this artist and countless other non-native English speaking vocalist and a slightly foreign accent in this case is perhaps an asset rather than a weakness. Stanko of course has the perfect feel needed to perform these songs and does it with obvious passion and love. She uses superb vocalese parts in addition to the lyrics, which are truly delightful. For me the most touching song of the album is the intimate trio which finds Stanko supported just by vibraphone and bass, which is perfection itself. Stanko respectfully leaves a lot of space for instrumental parts, which is most appropriate. If this album will bring Stanko to a wider public attention, it will serve its purpose ideally. She deserves to be heard and adored by everybody as much as I do adore her, regardless what she does, not because she is my friend, but because she is a true Artist and a wonderful human being. Well done Krystyna, Dear!

Updated: 26/11/2016Posted: 20/11/2016

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ SECRETLY STM 001 (Barcode: 5905912559279) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is the fifth album by Polish singer / songwriter Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, who this time sets aside her own music and pays homage to the songwriting talents of Brit Peter GabrielFind albums by this artist. Gabriel, who came to fame as the eccentric, theatrical and quite over the top charismatic front man of the legendary proggers GenesisFind albums by this artist, calmed down considerably after he opted for a solo career, which in retrospect was a smart move, both artistically and commercially. Over time Gabriel recorded an impressive number of albums, containing mostly his self-penned material, which overall is excellent Pop music in today´s standards, gaining acclaim by critics and fans alike. For her album Stanko selected eight songs, seven of which are Gabriel´s creations and one, which was covered by him on his eights studio album "Scratch My BackFind albums with this title", and was originally written by Stephin MerrittFind albums by this artist, front-man of The Magnetic FieldsFind albums by this artist. She is accompanied by a dreamy quintet, which includes trumpeter Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetists and flautist Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, veteran drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist and her regular cohorts vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist extraordinaire Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. On the non-Gabriel song she sings a duet with singer Mieczyslaw SzczesniakFind albums by this artist, who appears as a guest. Jazz tributes to Pop artists are a perilous path, often leading straight off the cliff and I must say that this album is one of the very few such attempts that actually work, which already is a success. What makes this music work is mostly the fact that Stanko as a performer and Bukowski / Lemanczyk as arrangers (although not credited as such on the album´s cover, but audibly so) did not just perform a tribute to Gabriel´s music by covering the songs but in fact transformed the music, often quite dramatically, into a different platform, which has very little to do with the original Pop environment it was created in, and sits firmly in the Jazz idiom every step of the way. All the solos, the incredible work of the rhythm section and Stanko´s vocals are dripping Jazz honey every step of the way and I´d even risk speculating that many of Gabriel´s fans would not recognize some of the original songs under the disguise they appear here in. I dare say that I find it a pity Stanko did not take this project one step further, by translating the original lyrics into the Polish language, which would have made her vocal expression much more sophisticated and intense. Singing in a foreign language is an effort, which usually limits the vocalist by robbing them of their total attention towards the music, so necessary in order to create a perfect vocal delivery. Nevertheless this is a speculation and the album is definitely an excellent piece of music the way it was recorded. I have no idea if Gabriel ever heard this album, but I´m quite sure he´d approve and appreciate it, considering he´s one of the more open-minded and non-prejudicial heroes of the contemporary music biz (or whatever is left of it). This is definitely an album worth having and hearing again and again, in different moods and circumstances, as it is multifaceted and capable of uplifting the spirits repeatedly. There is something in there for a wide audience of music lovers, from Jazz buffs to Pop aficionados (providing they wash their ears first). Kudos Krystyna!

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ SNIK NOT ON LABEL 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the seventh album by Polish vocalist / composer / lyricist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, marking a new direction in her career with an ambitious exploration of her Kashubian roots combined with her already established Jazz accomplishments. The Kashubians are an ethnic minority living in the North of Poland (Pomerania), which uses a regional language formally recognized in Poland as an official language, being the only one of many other languages / dialects to be awarded such status. On this album Stanko is accompanied by a wonderful trio comprising of her regular cohorts: vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, legendary bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. In addition several guest musicians are featured, including trumpeter Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist. The album has thirteen tracks, four of which are parts of an improvised suite based on a legend written by Aleksander MajkowskiFind albums by this artist, a leading Kashubian literary figure before WWII. These four tracks are split throughout the first half of the album and are co-composed by the core quartet members. Of the remaining tracks three are traditional songs arranged by Stanko, another three are composed by Lemanczyk, two by Stanko and one by Bukowski. Stanko wrote the lyrics to all the songs composed by her and also to those composed by Lemanczyk and Bukowski. It becomes immediately apparent from the very start of this album that Stanko made a conscious decision to embark upon a new voyage, quite different form the Jazz & Poetry genre, that dominated her marvelous album "Kropla SlowaFind albums with this title" released a couple of years earlier. Although some of the songs present here, especially those composed by Lemanczyk, are somewhat similar in their lyricism and melodic qualities to the songs from the earlier album, the majority of the material and more importantly the overall feel and atmosphere are dramatically different, with the utilization of strong ethnic elements, both musical and verbal. It is quite obvious that Stanko wishes to present a tribute to her roots and expose the listeners to the mysticism and beauty of the Kashubian culture. The four parts suite also exposes her more improvisational nature, with so far had only limited exposure in her work, but which turns out to be quite fascinating. Stanko´s vocal performances are, as usual, wonderful throughout the album, exposing a wide rage of her sensual voice, from whisper and caress to energetic vocalese. She is in full bloom as a vocalist and has very few competitors on the Polish scene as of now. The instrumentalists are also superb from start to finish with Lemanczyk being simply sensational in every capacity, both as time keeper, melody supporter and creator of beautiful notes, all right on the spot. Bukowski uses his electronic instrument, the xylosynth, which enables him to produce a great variety of sounds often similar to those produced by a keyboard, but with a different attack, which add a lot of diverse sound colors to the proceedings. Jarosz turns out to be a sensitive and supportive drummer, who is always there, when needed. Sadly I must conclude my assessment of this wonderful album on a sad note; it seems that this one will not be received as warmly and enthusiastically as its predecessor, simply for the reason that it crossed the invisible line between sophisticated and elegant entertainment and Art. The listeners might, unfortunately, find parts of this album to be too strange and less accessible, as will probably some learned critics. All I can say at this point is: well done girl, kudos, ignore those ignoramuses and just do your own thing. And of course a big thank you!

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KRYSTYNA STANKO ~ USLYSZ MNIE POLSKIE RADIO 1125 (Barcode: 5907812241254) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2005 - 2007 Released: 2008 This is the fourth album by Polish singer / songwriter Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist, which marks an end of the initial phase of her career during which she tried to establish a unique identity, both as a songwriter and a singer. All through that phase she moved between Pop, Alternative Rock and even Jazz-Rock Fusion and recorded three albums with two different groups she was part of at the time and finally recorded this, her "real" debut solo album. The album presents twelve songs, eleven of which are original creations by Stanko (lyrics and music) and the last one is a tribute to the great Polish Jazz pianist / composer / arranger Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist, who wrote this beautiful lullaby to the words of Polish National Poet Adam MickiewiczFind albums by this artist, which was previously magnificently performed by the great NiemenFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded during two separate recording sessions, almost a couple of years apart. Stanko is basically accompanied by a trio: guitarist Jacek KrolikFind albums by this artist, bassists Piotr ZaczekFind albums by this artist (electric) or Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist (acoustic) and drummer Piotr KrolikFind albums by this artist with five additional musicians contributing occasionally on several tracks. In spite of this rather limited instrumental accompaniment, the overall result is beautifully coherent and sounds complete as it is. Her vocals are the focus of this album, and rightly so, as her vocal abilities, her intelligent treatment of the lyrics and her emotional range are all of star quality, in evidence of her coming of age as an artist and a vocalist. But the most amazing thing about this album is of course the quality of the original songs, all of which are excellently crafted musically and adorned by meaningful, sometimes witty and always sincere lyrics, which are extremely rare these days. Stanko doesn´t hold back and dares to touch on painful subjects and deeply personal feelings about human relationships and even political / social issues, reminiscent of the protest songs of the 1960s. In complete contrast to the brainless lyrics the showbiz and media use to brainwash the human race, these songs really have something to say. In retrospect one might lament the fact that Stanko did not (yet) repeat this format, i.e. writing lyrics and music herself, in her next albums, hoping that this will be remedied soon. Her decision to move into the Jazz & Poetry realm is now completely understandable of course. This album lost nothing of its charm and freshness over time. It´s probably less perfect than her later recordings, but who cares; this is a beautiful collection of superb songs, which should make any listener happy. Grab it before it disappears forever!

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KRYSTYNA STANKO / DOMINIK BUKOWSKI / PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ CUDA OGLASZAJA STM 002 ~ POLAND ~ Xmas Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is a wonderful festive season album by Polish Jazz vocalist Krystyna StankoFind albums by this artist and her regular partners: vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist dedicated to their arrangements of Christmas Carrols. Poland has a tradition of Christmas Carrols spanning back to the middle ages and including many original Carrols written in the Polish language. The nine Carrols selected for this album include both internationally known Carrols translated into Polish and original Polish Carrols. Jazz interpretations of Christmas songs and Carrols have been tried many times before, most of them being simply an opportunistic pastiche devoid of any artistic merit. However this recording is surprisingly touching and absolutely stunning musically. The intimate setting of a vocalist and just two accompanying instruments (well veteran drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist does play on one track) seem to be able to bring out the best of everybody on this album. Stanko delivers the lyrics with a heartbreaking honesty and sensitivity, Bukowski paints the melodies and colors the entire atmosphere with his mallets and Lemanczyk carries the music on the back of his incredible bass lines, steady as a rock and virtuosic like butterfly´s wings. The entire delivery is simply breathtaking and in retrospect one must see that Stanko´s sensitivity to the spoken word is at its peak here, ready to explode on her next solo project "Kropla SlowaFind albums with this title". The arrangements, which transpose the Carrols into the world of Gospel / Blues / Jazz are artistry in itself, and should be studied in music schools the world over. The most amazing effect of this album is the fact that it makes the listener actually listen to the lyrics. Most religious music is usually performed in a mantra manner, with the performer uttering the words without actually even trying to comprehend the meaning of the text, especially when it happens during a ceremonial act. I must say that although I have heard these Carrols countless times before, I actually listened to the words for the first time while listening to this album, and was quite surprised by their beauty. Regardless of the religious context, this is pure poetry full of longing for love, compassion, sympathy and understanding, which are universally human. I can´t think of a better Christmas gift to anyone, who loves music, especially if they understand Polish, but the beauty of this recording knows no language barriers and melts open hearts anywhere. A treasure!

Updated: 18/01/2021Posted:

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ CONVERSESSION - LIVE ALLEGRO 012 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is the first album in the trio format by Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, with bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and US drummer Brian MelvinFind albums by this artist. It was recorded live by the trio during two of their concerts and includes three original compositions by the leader, two originals by Melvin and two standards and one traditional tune. Staroniewicz has a wonderfully warm tone reminiscent of the old Masters and his improvisational skills are spotless. Although fairly mainstream, the music is fresh and interesting and often quite surprising with the rhythm section supporting the leader splendidly and contributing remarkable solo spots as well. Although Staroniewicz does not "cross the line" towards Free Jazz, his playing is often full of tension and marginally touches, at least spiritually, the free spirit of the music. The bassist has also a wonderful tone, which complements the leader´s sound perfectly and Melvin´s skillful and versatile drumming technique adds a lot to the overall effect. This is a kind of album one can return to at any time and always find something new and worth one´s while with each listen. Warmly recommended!

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ HAND-MADE ALLEGRO 005 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002 This is a beautiful album by Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which is somewhat unusual, as it also includes accordionist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist, a rare combination these days. The other musicians are: guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. These are all excellent and experienced players, so the result is spotless on the technical front as well as very interesting from the musical standpoint. Staroniewicz has a wonderfully worm tone on his tenor saxophone and an unusually melodic approach, which does not diminish his improvisational qualities, which are truly impressive. The accordion adds a wonderful fuzzy "old time feel" to the entire session, and the Fusion guitar solos are a nice contrast. The music is mostly original with just two standards included for good measure. Overall this album is a lot of fun to listen to and a great proof that solid, melodic Jazz can be also of high quality and interest. Most warmly recommended to listeners who love their mainstream Jazz with a twist!

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI ~ CHAMBER AVENUE DUX 1539 (Barcode: 5902547015392) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the sixth album by Polish guitarist / composer Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, which continues his new path of bringing together Jazz and Chamber Classical Music influences. He is accompanied by his faithful cohort and extraordinary bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, oboist Marta RozanskaFind albums by this artist and the NeoquartetFind albums by this artist string quartet. The album presents nine pieces, five of which are original compositions by Wadolowski and four are Classical pieces, two each by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and Jacques BerthierFind albums by this artist, all arranged by Wadolowski. Same as its predecessor, the duo album with Lemanczyk "Preludes For Guitar And Double BassFind albums with this title", this album was beautifully recorded by Piotr LukaszewskiFind albums by this artist and considering the fact that this is a live recording, the result is simply phenomenal. During the decade that passed since the recording of his debut album, Wadolowski took his followers on a wonderful and highly unusual ride, which crossed such distinct genres as Rock, Blues, Fusion and Jazz, finally arriving at the footsteps of Classical Music. This process of searching reflects just one of Wadolowski´s many qualities, all plainly visible / audible on this album: fabulous guitarist, wonderful composer and a person of refined music aesthetics. The original compositions are all superb examples of Wadolowski´s skill to create gems encapsulating melody, harmony and song weaving talent. His arrangements of the music composed by others follow suit, making the entire album sound brilliantly coherent and enjoyable, without compromising an iota of quality. The performances are, as expected, also perfect, and fondly reminiscent of the a.m. duo album. Lemanczyk, one of the absolutely top Polish bassists, is a virtuoso in every cell of his body and every touch of his fingers on the strings generates pure magic. Wadolowski also plays wonderfully, with great sensitivity, feeling and emotion, and his improvisations, which still show a shadow of the Blues from time to time, are absolutely heartwarming. Overall this is a brilliant album, full of excellent music and sublime performances, which should deeply move every true music connoisseur on this globe, regardless of their genre affiliations. Great taste and professionalism like this are rare and should be cherished. Hats off!

Updated: 31/07/2020Posted: 31/07/2020

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI ~ MY GUITAR THERAPY ALLEGRO 030 (Barcode: 5901157049308) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third album by Polish guitarist / composer Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a trio setting with superb bassist (both acoustic and electric) Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wadolowski. If the two earlier albums by Wadolowski flirted with Jazz to some extent, this one abandons all Jazz connections and concentrates on Blues or Blues-Rock entirely. Of course the rhythm section comes from the Jazz environment, but they too play along splendidly within the Blues idiom, retaining their superb technique and feeling. Of course Wadolowski improvises extensively during his extended solos, but this is typical Blues-Rock improvisation. It becomes plainly evident from the early moments of this album that Wadolowski really feels great in this environment and his playing is not only more daring and adventurous but also much gutsier than earlier on. Of course Lemanczyk also adds a few bass solos of his own, which are, as always, absolutely breathtaking, but he easily complies with the Bluesy atmosphere. Wadolowski writes great melodic tunes, which are ideal vehicles for his guitar pyrotechnics and combine some Funk and Groove on top of the basic Blues-Rock stuff. In short, this music should not be judged by Jazz standards, as it is not Jazz music. It is a down to earth Blues-Rock, excellently played and ideal for the many fans of the genre. It is a great listen and a true fun, without any compromise whatsoever as far as musicianship and integrity are concerned.

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI ~ STANDARDS SOLITON 517 (Barcode: 5901571095172) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the fourth album by Polish guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, recoded in an intimate trio setting with the superb Polish Jazz bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and Canadian Drummer Tyler HornbyFind albums by this artist. The trio performs ten Jazz standards, three of which are by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and two by Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. The album is dedicated to the two great Masters of Polish Jazz guitar: Marek BlizinskiFind albums by this artist and Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, both sadly no longer with us. Previous recordings by Wadolowski flirted with Jazz to some extent, but this one presents him for the first time as a bona fide Jazz player. The delicate arrangements, the careful selection of the tunes and their wonderful execution are all kept within the strict Jazz idiom, shearing away all the Blues-Rock or Fusion elements present on his older recordings. The transformation is quite remarkable. Wadolowski´s approach is very minimalistic and remarkably clean. The music is kept low key, almost acoustic, in order to emphasize every single note and chord, which thanks to the excellent recording quality are all perfectly audible. The guitar plays long beautifully structured solos, often introducing the tunes alone before the bass and drums join in. Even when the whole trio plays together, the music is still very unobtrusive and deliberately constrained. A wonderful atmosphere of relaxation and contemplation is present through out the entire duration of the music. As expected, Lemanczyk plays superbly, both as an accompanist and during his solos, which are all pearls of bass perfection. Although rarely in the limelight, he is definitely one of the absolute top Polish Jazz bass players and every album he plays on is enhanced by his fantastic contributions. Hornby keeps his involvement in these proceedings to bare minimum which is exactly what is required in such circumstances. His delicate drum parts stay in the background, keeping the rhythm rolling gently. Drummers who don´t try to dominate a recording session are a rare find and he is to be congratulated for his attitude. Overall this is a wonderful album from start to finish: fascinating guitar licks, breathtaking bass solos, superb selection of tunes and innovative nontrivial arrangements make it a brilliant listening experience. Yes it´s mainstream and yes these are standards – this is exactly what was supposed to happen here and the result speaks for itself. In retrospect I am very glad Wadolowski recorded this album and proved his versatility and his skills as a player to all those who dismissed him in the past. This is definitely one of the finest Polish Jazz guitar albums ever recorded and a solid tribute to the past Masters. Hats off!

Updated: 29/06/2016Posted: 29/06/2016

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI / PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ PRELUDES FOR GUITAR AND DOUBLE BASS DUX 1530 (Barcode: 5902547015309) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the fifth album by Polish guitarist / composer Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a duo setting with veteran bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. It presents ten original compositions, or preludes, all composed by Wadolowski. The intimate guitar and bass duo was superbly recorded by Piotr LukaszewskiFind albums by this artist and offers exquisite sound quality and clarity. Wadolowski, one of the representatives of the Polish Baltic Tricity scene, made a remarkable progress since the release of his debut album in 2011, flirting with diverse stylistic associations, such as Blues, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz, and with this album touching, as the title suggests, upon some Classical Music influences amalgamated with a strong Jazz foundation. The pieces are all melody based but involve a significant measure of improvisation and interplay between the two partners. Lemanczyk is obviously an ideal partner for an enterprise of this sort, as his virtuosity and inventiveness are absolutely astounding. He is one of the most proficient and accomplished bassist on the Polish scene, and on this album his presence is felt stronger than perhaps on any other album he recorded to date, proving his immense talent, technique, feel and musicality. Wadolowski handles the acoustic guitar with gusto and respect, concentrating on playing the melodies, soloing and accompanying the bass solos, without trying any unnecessary pyrotechnics, which would have been completely out of place here. The interplay and cooperation between the two musicians is the heart of this music, and elevates it above the individual performances, feeding on the mutual respect and the wonderful intimacy achieved by the duo. Wadolowski behaved gentlemanly naming Lemanczyk a full partner in the process of creating this album, as anything less would have been simply unjust. Overall this is a wonderful, intimate and uplifting spiritually album, which emits superb musicianship, true camaraderie, amazing virtuosity and a gentle feeling of embracing, heartwarming music. An absolute must to guitar and bass aficionados, but no less heartwarmingly recommended to music lovers, who long for something low volume, which strikes powerfully between the eyes (ears). Brilliant stuff and hats off to the people in charge of the strings!

Updated: 06/01/2019Posted: 06/01/2019

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