Record Reviews

RAFAL JACKIEWICZ ~ SEA POETRY NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is the 2nd album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Rafal JackiewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Piotr DziadkowiecFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej KitajewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw BorowieckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, all of which are original compositions by Jackiewicz. The music is strongly based on modern European Jazz, based on melodic themes, mostly slow tempo lyrical ballads, which are characteristic of Polish Jazz. Jackiewicz has a gentle, somewhat sentimental tone, which is very delicate and soothing. He is densely supported by Dziadkowiec, who in fact performs most of the solo parts and is just a bit too high in the mix for my liking, which dominates the proceedings, but his technique and inventiveness are top notch. The rhythm section supports the two front players superbly, especially due to the splendid bass playing by Kitajewski, who is one of the busiest young bassist on the local scene, with a long list of recordings to his credit. This album is much stronger, more coherent and interesting than his debut, with almost the same lineup, released in 2021, marking a step in the right direction. Overall, this is another splendid Jazz album by the young generation of the Polish Jazz players, who seem to be unstoppable in their path of building their careers, exploding with both composing and performing skills. There is simply nothing not to like here, and for lovers of the Polish Jazz lyricism, this album should be like honey to their ears.

Updated: 05/02/2026Posted: 05/02/2026

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MOON HOAX ~ MOON HOAX TKLIWI NIHILISCI ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is an excellent debut album by young Polish Jazz / Fusion ensemble Moon HoaxFind albums by this artist, co-founded by guitarist Michal KarbowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Ju GhanFind albums by this artist. The lineup is completed by trumpeter Klaudiusz KlosekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Michal BakFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist / electronic sounds creator Marcin CiupidroFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw BorowieckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Karbowski. The music of Moon Hoax is a modernized and updated version of Brass Rock / Jazz-Rock Fusion movement represented by a plethora of bands active in late 1960s and early 1970s, like Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, ChicagoFind albums by this artist, IfFind albums by this artist, DreamsFind albums by this artist, ChaseFind albums by this artist and many others. If any of those bands would have been active today, they would probably sound quite similar to Moon Hoax, but since Brass Rock is a lost Art Form, this album is a true delight, not only as a kind of retro trip down the nostalgic lane, but as an ass-kicking splendid piece of music, which is fresh and excellent in every respect. Based on solid melody lines, which are then arranged for the entire ensemble, the music balances between the Jazzy brass section (which sounds much "bigger" than it actually is) and the Rocky guitar, with the vibraphone and electronic sounds filling the spaces and adding the contemporary layer. The rhythm section rocks steadily, but with finesse and great respect for the soloists. There are very few contemporary ensembles which are able to produce such invigorating music of such quality, which puts this album in a class by itself. Hopefully Moon Hoax will find a way to take this music into the future and find new directions, without loosing the charm. It will be hell to create another such great album as that one; you have been warned! In the meantime let´s celebrate and enjoy this little gem, as such miracles happen rarely. This is definitely a stunning debut!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MOON HOAX ~ RANDKA Z ANDROIDEM CAPRICORNUS 003 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the second album by Polish Fusion ensemble Moon HoaxFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Michal KarbowskiFind albums by this artist. The new lineup of the sextet includes trumpeter Klaudiusz KlosekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jaroslaw BothurFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Filip OwczarskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jedrzej LaciakFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw BorowieckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music follows to some extent the musical direction of the debut, recorded eight years earlier, moving between Jazz, Fusion and Brass Rock. The melodic compositions are spiced with diverse rhythmic patterns and the extended soloing allows all the ensemble members to show their individual abilities. The leader’s guitar sound is the most idiosynchratic element in the music, which sets it aside from most other Fusion efforts. The fact that the harmonic layer is supported by the vibraphone, rather than by the omnipresent keyboards, adds to the unique ambience the ensemble manages to create. The Brass Rock sound that characterized the debut is less emphasized on this album, with the brass instruments soloing in turn, but not supporting the music with background brass riffs all along the way, which loses some of the charm. Nevertheless, the music is still very enjoyable and the album offers an exciting listening experience, especially to Fusion oriented music fans. Overall, this is a very solid Fusion album, with exciting music and excellent performances, which should find every fan of the genre completely satisfied. Hopefully next time we won’t have to wait for another eight years for the next one.

Updated: 18/01/2022Posted: 18/01/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend