Record Reviews

RAATZ / BIELAK / MACKIEWICZ ~ MUTUAL INFLUENCES RG 108 ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz trio comprising of guitarist Boguslaw RaatzFind albums by this artist, violinist Robert BielakFind albums by this artist and percussionist Daniel MackiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live in the studio and presents three original compositions uncredited on the album’s artwork and assumably co-composed by the three participants. Raatz and Bielak cooperated earlier as members of the group Question MarkFind albums by this artist, Bielak appeared on the first three albums by Light CoorporationFind albums by this artist and Mackiewicz played for many years in Sing Sing PenelopeFind albums by this artist and with Raatz in Ritual Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist. In short these are highly experienced and talented musicians. The music is mostly improvised, based on sketchy melodic framework, which serves as the basis for extended improvisations by the trio, which float between World Music and Fusion climates. The lengthy tracks, especially the opening one, which last for over twenty-two minutes, is an epic journey moving between relaxed quiet stretches and peeks of intense soloing by the guitar or violin, accompanied by percussive Eastern rhythmic pulsations. The jam session atmosphere that prevails throughout the album offers a trans-like sonic adventure that is fascinating to follow, completely engulfing the listener in the process, inviting to sink deeply into the flow. But of course one can also follow the intricate details of the improvisations, if so inclined. Overall, this is a highly emotional musical experience for the open-minded listener, involving superb instrumental performances and strong group improvisations, which are much more inviting than most such excursions. Both World Music and Fusion fans should find this music very agreeable. Highly recommended!

Updated: 31/07/2022Posted: 31/07/2022

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RITUAL ART ORCHESTRA ~ ATMOSPHERE RG 103 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 - 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the Polish ensemble Ritual Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. R-A-OFind albums by this artist), which already released an album under an earlier moniker (Ritual Duo). The current lineup of the ensemble consists of American violinist / composer Steve KindlerFind albums by this artist and Polish multi-instrumentalist / composer Boguslaw RaatzFind albums by this artist and percussionist Daniel MackiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, five by Kindler and four by Raatz. The music is an interesting amalgam of Ethnic / World Music elements, Electronic / Ambient influences and Jazzy improvisations. Although performed by just three musicians, it is heavily overdubbed and often reaches orchestral proportions. The Ethnic influences originate from many different Cultures, like Middle Eastern and Far Eastern, Balinese, African and others, which makes the music diverse and avoids the repetition and sameness that many projects of this kind suffer from. All three members of the ensemble display their individual talents, which although are quite dissimilar, work very well together. Kindler uses a 9 string violin, which has a very unique sound. Raatz plays guitars and a plethora of ethnic instruments like oud and sitar, each contributing a unique layer to the overall sound tapestry. Mackiewicz adds the rhythmic layer, again using several different instruments, which also enriches the overall sound. The music is very well recorded and the album offers excellent sound quality. Overall this is a musical journey around the world, which Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts should find quite interesting and entertaining. It offers many improvised passages and subtle melodies, with a certain New Age flavor, which characterized recordings of this kind in the 1990s. It is definitely worth listening to by people who like this kind of music already, but also an opportunity for others to discover this idiom.

Updated: 26/06/2018Posted: 26/06/2018

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