Record Reviews
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  | STANISLAW JANASZAK ~ DELUSIONS
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021
This is the debut album by Polish guitarist / composer Stanislaw JanaszakFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic guitar trio setting with bassist Lukasz GronowskiFind albums by this artist and drummers Marek SkibickiFind albums by this artist or Jakub SzwarcFind albums by this artist. The trio is expanded into a quartet with saxophonist Kacper KrupaFind albums by this artist (on five tracks) or Jaroslaw WisniewskiFind albums by this artist (on one track). The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Janaszak (one inspired by a Classical piece).
The music encompasses diverse stylistic references, from Classical, via Jazz, Blues and even Rock influences. Janaszak’s Classical schooling is evident and his guitar playing mannerisms are strongly influenced by his Classical background, which in fact is a whiff of fresh air as far as guitar albums are concerned.
The compositions are somewhat hesitant and reflect a searching process, which is not surprising in debut albums. This results in the music shifting gear across genres, without committing to a coherent continuous expression, but again this is probably the effect of trying to find the path of a debut album.
Overall, this is quite an unusual guitar album, which shows advanced guitar technique and unconventional compositional approach, with something for every listener to like, obviously especially interesting to guitar aficionados. Definitely worth checking out!
| | Updated: 26/11/2021Posted: 26/11/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STANISLAW JANASZAK ~ GRUNGE JAZZ
SOLITON 1485 (Barcode: 5903684234950) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025
This is the 3rd album by Polish guitarist / composer Stanislaw JanaszakFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with bass guitarist Nikodem KluczynskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maciej BurzynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Janaszak, one is by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and finally one is by Curt CobainFind albums by this artist.
Janaszak continues his stylistic preferences exhibited on his earlier recordings, which mix cross-genre influences with Jazzy improvisations, with the music focusing on his guitar performances, which are quite impressive. There is something for everyone here, from various Rock oriented pieces, Bluesy ballads, Jazzy licks and so on. The sound is definitely somewhat “Grunge” oriented, but the music is not mimicking the heavy metal stylistics, but hinting towards the raw, distorted feel.
My favorite piece is (not surprisingly) the interpretation of the Coltrane’s “Equinox”, which gets an up-to-date version, sixty-five years after it was composed, and which sounds completely contemporary, proving Coltrane’s eternal Genius.
Overall, this is a pleasant, very well-conceived and executed piece of music, which might interest both Fusion and Rock listeners, guitar enthusiasts and people who like unconventional experiments. To be approached without prejudice.
| | Updated: 24/12/2025Posted: 24/12/2025 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STANISLAW JANASZAK ~ PERPETUAL MOTION
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion
Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024
This is the 2nd album by Polish guitarist / composer Stanislaw JanaszakFind albums by this artist, recorded mostly in a trio setting with keyboardist Jakub KrolikowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maciej BurzynskiFind albums by this artist. A few guest musicians appear on a couple of tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Janaszak.
The music is a pleasant amalgam of Blues, Rock, Funk and a Jazzy Groove, based on solid compositions by the leader, which flow smoothly for the duration and offer a nice sonic experience, constantly changing moods and tempi and creating an interesting ride along. The performances are all excellent and professional, and Janaszak has a very nice guitar touch and sound, which is cross-genre, but not chaotic. The keyboardist provides a rich background of multi-layered sonic vistas and the drummer keeps the music moving along steadily.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable album for people who love the electric guitar sound and enjoy music soaked in Blues, which keeps shifting rapidly. I had a blast listening to this music, which is not pretending to be anything beyond what it is – a nice, gratifying sonic voyage, something we all need to experience from time to time.
| | Updated: 10/08/2024Posted: 10/08/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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