Record Reviews
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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 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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