Record Reviews

MICHAL AFTYKA ~ FRUKSTRAKT MULTIKULTI MPJ 027 (Barcode: 5903068683381) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Marcin ElszkowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marcin KonieczkowiczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Tymon KosmaFind albums by this artist and drummer Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all original compositions by Aftyka. This album is a wonderful verification of my theory that Jazz bassists, despite their seemingly “behind the scenes” role, often are the best composers out there, which has been proven time after time. The brilliant, concise, coherent and non-trivial compositions on this album are a pure delight from start to finish, presenting a wide spectrum of what might be considered as “Chamber Jazz” of the highest class and the album sounds like a progression of musical gems, separate but parts of a greater whole. The instrumentation, with vibraphone / xylophone replacing the traditional role of the piano, is absolutely perfect for this music, adding a unique ambience and taking the harmonic balance into a separate dimension from most common Jazz recordings. The individual performances by the quintet members are all spotless and highly imaginative, although the music is first and foremost an ensemble effort. Unusual meters and “exotic”, but rather vague World Music elements also play an important role in the final result. This music requires a very intensive / attentive listening procedure in order to expose the many layers hidden from a casual exposure, and with each approach displays new hidden treasures. Aftyka’s bass playing is the ultimate frame, which supports all the music, and he masterly leads the structural progression of each tune. The warm, encompassing bass sound holds the complicated melodic / harmonic structures in perfect accord. Overall, this a true Masterpiece of contemporary Polish Jazz and certainly the best debut recording on this year’s long list. It offers a perfect amalgam of highly intelligent compositions and Masterly performances, which refuses to conform and bravely steps into uncharted territory. It makes me extremely happy to see that the young Polish Jazz scene is able to produce such refined, Artistic, aesthetic and mature music as this. A was beginning to wonder…

Updated: 11/12/2023Posted: 11/12/2023

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PAWEL MANKA SEMIOTIC QUINTET ~ KUBIZM SJ 055 (Barcode: 5902596066680) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet, named Semiotic QuintetFind albums by this artist and led by guitarist / composer Pawel MankaFind albums by this artist, which also includes other young representatives of the local scene: saxophonist Robert WypasekFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr NarajowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, which are all original compositions by the leader. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the usual superb sound quality. The music is quite adventurous and offers a mixture of Fusion and Avant-Garde Jazz, based on sketchy compositions, which are a basis for extended, often Free improvisations by the soloists, with solid, more well-behaved rhythm section support. The result achieves a somewhat chaotic, but certainly enthralling listening experience, with an end-result delivering more of seeking than achieving, but certainly being very absorbing along the way. The leader’s guitar playing is at times somewhat detached from the rest of the ensemble, emphasizing the electric Fusion guitar sound, which clashes with the acoustic Jazzy sound of the remaining quartet, but when kept in check it is able to coexist with the quartet more amicably. This is more a “sound” / ambience problem that a musical drawback, but for the best of the quintet has to be resolved in the future. Wypasek keeps the music down to earth, offering an almost traditional jazz approach, which leaves most of the glory around Raczkowski (the pianist), who is the true spark of this recording. His work on several albums he took part in during the last few years certainly marks him as a player worth watching, yet to emerge in full glory, but his playing here if pretty amazing. The rhythm section, as already mentioned, does a wonderful job to keep the music together, which without their heroic efforts, might have disintegrated at some moments. Overall, this is a very ambitious album, which is only partly successful, but is way more interesting than most “well behaved” recordings, which dominated to Polish Jazz scene this year, perhaps partly paralyzed by the Pandemic. The daring and ambition are highly appreciated and with some “fine tuning” and discipline this quintet can certainly get places. Kudos for the effort and all the best in the future!

Updated: 30/11/2021Posted: 30/11/2021

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MICHALSKA / JARZMIK QUINTET ~ MONIUSZKO: PRAGNIENIA I ROZTERKI MUSIC ART FUN (Barcode: 5907745979309) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz quintet co-led by vocalist Patrycja MichalskaFind albums by this artist and pianist Adam JarzmikFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Jakub LepaFind albums by this artist, bassist Mateusz SzewczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven Jazz arrangements by Jarzmik of songs from the "Home Songs" collections composed by Polish Classical composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist, with texts by different Polish poets. Moniuszko published twelve volumes of "Home Songs", which contained altogether 268 songs, meant to be sung by people at home, rather that be used for performances in concert halls. They include some of Moniuszko´s most beautiful melodies and are full of the typical Polish melancholy and lyricism. The album was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist with the usual excellent sound quality. 2019 is Moniuszko´s birth bicentenary, which resulted in quite a few new recordings of his music, but this album is certainly one of the most successful modern interpretations of his music, full of respect and deep understanding of his credo, especially the lyrical streak, which was superbly captured by Jarzmik´s arrangements and the delicacy of Michalska´s vocal delivery. The music is splendidly executed, as expected. Jarzmik is an excellent pianist, with an established reputation and his playing is always a source of great pleasure. Lepa, who played with Jarzmik on all of his albums so far, is perfect for the job, adding ably to the ensemble sound. The rhythm section, although very young, does exactly what is expected, with precision and taste. Michalska delivers the lyrics with sensitivity and respect, avoiding unnecessary theatrics, which could have spoiled the desired result. Overall this is an intelligent, very well played piece of music, which treats the legacy of Moniuszko´s music with respect and love, adding a contemporary point of view, which might be instrumental in bringing this music to younger generations of listeners. A splendid debut effort by all means – well done!

Updated: 08/06/2020Posted: 17/09/2019

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SUPERMINIMALISM ~ PRELUDE LJF 002 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet SuperminimalismFind albums by this artist, comprising of trumpeter Marcin ElszkowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Robert WypasekFind albums by this artist and Jakub LepaFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven short original compositions by Raczkowski, totaling in under half an hour, which makes it an EP rather than a full album. The music offers very interesting approach, with minimalistic motives and unusual sound, with brass and rhythm section only. The music is full of internal tension and simply “asks for” to be developed further, but of course it is the artistic choice of the ensemble to leave it sort of hanging in the air. Despite the fact that the music seems like a teaser / sample, of what the quintet is capable of, it is truly fascinating from start to finish, and definitely does the job of arising the listener’s attention perfectly. Overall, this is a wonderful sample of modern Polish Jazz and the talents of the young generation ready to invade the scene. The compositions are fascinating, the performances highly professional and the result simply enchanting – well done!

Updated: 20/12/2023Posted: 20/12/2023

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