Record Reviews

TOMASZ DABROWSKI / FREE4ARTS ~ SIX MONTHS AND TEN DROPS BAREFOOT 041 (Barcode: 5707471040270) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 Polish (resident in Denmark) Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist is one of the leading upcoming European musicians and his prolific, almost feverish output manages to astound his fans time after time. This album follows suit several albums already released this year and as always maintains incredible quality. This time Dabrowski leads a quartet, which besides him includes three leading young Danish Jazz musicians: baritone saxophonist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, pianist Jacob AnderskovFind albums by this artist and drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Dabrowski. This music is more free oriented than Dabrowski´s explorations so far, which seems to be a continuing development in his work. It is therefore further away from mainstream Jazz and explores other areas, like contemporary Chamber music and improvised Avant-Garde, although based on written themes. The entire scheme of using the quartet is also very unusual, as there is no conventional "soloists vs. rhythm section" setting at all, only an ensemble performance by the entire quartet as one body. The exclusion of the bass is also very significant, where some of the typical bass parts are taken over by the baritone sax and others by the percussion. This music is only as good as the level of cooperation achieved by the quartet members and therefore the interplay is its central ingredient. Luckily for Dabrowski these three musicians belong to the same "school of thought" like himself, enabling the quartet to become a unity. There is no doubt that this music points towards a new epoch of Jazz, which becomes an amalgam of all forms of improvised music, those previously experienced and those still undiscovered. Dabrowski and his generation are brave pioneers of these uncharted territories and it´s a great experience to bear witness while this music keeps unfolding in real time in Copenhagen, Warsaw, Berlin and other parts of Europe. This is quite difficult music for most people, no doubt about it, but it is also deeply rewarding and intellectually challenging. It is spearheaded by a relatively tiny group of musicians and has a limited audience. Nevertheless it encompasses perhaps some of the most important musical developments happening in a world which is rapidly turning away from challenge and cultural progress, and therefore becomes even more significant. It is in these young people that we entrust our Cultural feature.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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TOMASZ DABROWSKI / FREE4ARTS ~ WHEN I COME ACROSS AUDIO CAVE 2019/009 (Barcode: 5905669566810) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2019 This is the second album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and his Danish quartet Free4ArtsFind albums by this artist, which also includes baritone saxophonist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist and this time guitarist Simon KrebsFind albums by this artist, who replaced pianist Jacob AnderskovFind albums by this artist that played on the debut album. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Dabrowski. In many respects this album continues the direction set by the debut, which moves completely into Avant-Garde Jazz, far away from traditional, melody based Jazz, flirting also with contemporary Chamber Music explorations. The music offers some melodic motifs but those often get hidden to a less experienced listener by the group improvisations. Without the presence of bass and now also the piano, there is almost no conventional harmony and rhythmic continuity, which leaves it to the listener to connect the dots. The sharp sound of the guitar is initially somewhat weird and takes time to get used to within the otherwise acoustic environment. The music is mostly very subdued and delicate, low profile and quietly streaming, with long passages that involve solos, duets and trios and rarely the entire quartet. It seems Dabrowski is trying to re-define the known parameters of Jazz and Improvised Music, stretching the existing limits of these idioms. He uses the trumpet to produce a plethora of unusual sound effects that often do not resemble the conventional sound of the instrument. The same can be said about Christiansen, who again proves to be one of the most creative European Jazz drummers, moving on a completely unique acoustic parallax, again re-defining the role of drums in contemporary music. Unexpectedly, it is the guitar which turns out to be the most conventional factor of this music, playing at times long melodic strings of notes. In many respects this is the boldest and most adventurous project Dabrowski headed in the decade-long period of his artistic development. It is completely uncompromising and boldly unconventional, against all odds. Hopefully the music, despite its estranged exterior, will find sympathetic, open-minded audience in time. Avant-Garde was never a rewarding and smooth career choice and Dabrowski and his cohorts deserve our respect for pushing the boundaries time and again.

Updated: 04/10/2019Posted: 04/10/2019

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LIVING THINGS ~ UPWIND CIRCLES BAREFOOT 052 (Barcode: 5707471046210) ~ DENMARK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by young European Jazz ensemble Living ThingsFind albums by this artist, which comprises of Danish saxophonist / composer Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, Polish trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, French pianist / vibraphonist Paul WacrenierFind albums by this artist and a Dutch rhythm section: bassist Casper Nyvang RaskFind albums by this artist and drummer Rune LohseFind albums by this artist. All five musicians are also credited for playing the flute. The album presents fourteen original compositions, nine composed by Meinild and five by Wacrenier. The music is based on composed themes, which serve as basis for individual and collective improvisations. It is very open and unconstrained, obviously geared towards improvisation and individuality, like all the albums released by the Copenhagen based BarefootFind albums on this label Records collective, owned by the musicians who record on the label and which is home to some of the most fascinating young European Jazz and Improvised Music. Traces of many diverse musical influences can be found in this music, from contemporary Classical to World Music and Folklore, via the Jazz tradition, which is treated here very open-mindedly. There are also many superb individual statements by all the musicians involved. Dabrowski, as usual, creates many heart-wrenching trumpet solos, which repeatedly give evidence to the fact that he is one of the leading European trumpet players today. But to be fair also Meinild and Wacrenier contribute many enchanted vistas on their respective instruments, and the rhythm section, which plays anything but rhythm of course, glues the music together. There young European lions are so creative and so productive / prolific, that it becomes almost impossible to follow the avalanche of releases produced by them across the continent. Jazz / Improvised Music is experiencing an incredible Renaissance, which creates an unprecedented surge of new music, new talents and new musical horizons, of which this music is a commendable representative. Well done!

Updated: 04/11/2016Posted: 04/11/2016

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MEINILD / ANDERSKOV / TOM ~ SPECTRAL ENTANGLEMENTS BAREFOOT 081 ~ DENMARK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the Danish Jazz trio comprising of saxophonist / clarinetist / flautist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, pianist Jacob AnderskovFind albums by this artist and drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, all original compositions co-credited to all three members of the trio. Despite their relatively young age, all these musicians have already quite extensive experience playing and recording together, but not as a trio. Christiansen has been active on the European scene since 2006 and recorded more than two dozen albums as a leader and sideman, with various European musicians, mostly from Poland and Germany, and is certainly one of my favorite drummers / composers on the young European scene. The music is a wonderful example of contemporary European Improvised Music / Free Jazz at its absolutely best. Using, albeit with great care, electronics and sound manipulation, the music remains coherent and focused, despite the feeling of abstract and freedom prevailing for the duration. Although spontaneously improvised, the melodic / harmonic “backbone” remains, as they define it, “abstract compositional”, and the emotional restrain serves the desired effect perfectly. There is a lot of space, silence, minimalism and understatement present in this music, creating a delicate fabric, which leaves enough distance between the notes to stimulate the listener’s brain to fill the blanks at will, which makes him a partner in the creative process. This is definitely a superb example of the “less is more” approach, which I am always a great fan of. Overall, this is an amazing piece of music, which although perhaps somewhat demanding, is full of European aesthetics, cleverness and brilliant inventiveness. I find it uplifting and satisfying, and as such recommend it wholeheartedly to every lover of contemporary music out there!

Updated: 10/01/2024Posted: 10/01/2024

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OCEAN FANFARE ~ FIRST NATURE BAREFOOT 060 (Barcode: 5706274010053) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album by the international Jazz quartet Ocean FanfareFind albums by this artist that comprises of Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and three Danish Jazz musicians: saxophonist / composer Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, bassist Richard AnderssonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter BruunFind albums by this artist. It presents nine original compositions, five by Dabrowski and four by Meinild. The music continues from where the debut album left off, investigating further explorations of the tight conversations between the quartet members, but moving into even more open musical space and towards Avant-Garde / Free Jazz idiom. There is little of straightforward melodic contents and far more improvisation, although the quartet manages to keep the music coherent enough to avoiding losing the listener in the process. As a result this album is certainly more difficult and less communicative with the listeners who are not hardened adventurous music connoisseurs, which of course limits the audience for which this music might prove enjoyable. Having said that, it must be emphasized that Dabrowski and his cohorts play some fascinating notes together and manage to create tension and continuity, which is superbly executed from start to finish. This music does not allow much space for individual statements, as it is based on close cooperation and constant group improvisation, but from time to time both Dabrowski and Meinild manage to squeeze in breathtaking soli, which of course are of hair-raising quality. The rhythm section also performs brilliantly throughout the album, being at all times on equal level with the two soloists. Ambitious music of this sort often impairs on the ability of individual performers to dazzle, but the ensemble as a whole gains the full creational abilities of its members. Overall this is a superb modern Jazz with Avant-Garde tendencies, which offers splendid instrumental performances and exemplary ensemble playing, which this kind of music thrives on. Dabrowski, as usual, delivers some trumpet magic that fully justifies his position as one of the leading European trumpeters, which by now is universally accepted. This is not for everybody, but listeners who enjoy ambitious and highly aesthetic as well as challenging music should enjoy this album in full. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 31/05/2019Posted: 31/05/2019

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OCEAN FANFARE ~ IMAGINE SOUND IMAGINE SILENCE BAREFOOT 040 (Barcode: 5707471039175) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by the International Jazz Quartet Ocean FanfareFind albums by this artist, which consists of Polish trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, Danish saxophonist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Richard AnderssonFind albums by this artist and American drummer Tyshawn SoreyFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, six of which were composed by Dabrowski and three by Meinild. The quartet plays modern Jazz, which is clearly based on the tradition but explores modern approach to both the melodic / harmonic contents and the rhythmic timekeeping. The trumpet and saxophone are much tighter together here than on most other quartet recordings of this type, playing many unisono parts together, which sound simply stunning. Dabrowski, who has a long series of albums under his arm already, is of course brilliant throughout, but Meinild keeps closely at his toes, displaying virtuosic control of his instrument and excellent improvisation quality. As it often happens in today´s modern Jazz, it is the bass player who keeps the time rather than the drummer, who is left to explore various time measures and play around the rhythms. This album displays new facets of Dabrowski´s phenomenal trumpet technique and bravado, which keep expanding from album to album, constantly reaching new artistic peaks. He emerges steadfastly as one of the top young trumpeters in Europe if not worldwide. This combined with his phenomenal compositional qualities makes him superstar material, which hopefully won´t be wasted. The level of interplay demonstrated on this album is also worthy of the listener´s attention, as such telepathic encounters are few and far between. There is a multilayered interplay present here, first between the two horn players, then between the rhythm section and finally between all four musicians listening to each other attentively. There is also the wonderful balance between the freedom of expression and the creative discipline, which keeps everybody on track. Overall this is another excellent album, which unites Dabrowski with superb partners, creating a quartet of the highest quality which plays beautifully crafted music. What else can we ask for?

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TROUBLE HUNTING ~ SOMEBODY ELSE WITH A WRONG DOG RECART 0023 (Barcode: 5908285287220) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the second album by the Polish / Danish Jazz quintet Trouble HuntingFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Tomasz LicakFind albums by this artist. On this album the other members of the quintet are: trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, bassist Richard AnderssonFind albums by this artist and drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist. These excellent young musicians play together in many other different ensembles with various personnel constellations in the last five years and produced a considerable body of recorded music together. On this album they perform seven original compositions, all by Licak. The music is quite characteristic of the new generation of European Jazz musicians, which combines composition and free improvisation conceptually, blurring the difference between these idioms. As a result the pieces presented here are all based on composed themes, which are stated several times within the duration of each of the pieces, but most of the time serve as a basis for individual and group improvisations, which are the heart of this music. In spite of the free-spirited approach, the music manages to maintain a coherency and form, which is accessible to a relatively large fraction of the Jazz listening audiences, even though it offers no artistic compromises of attempts to sound likeable. The individual statements of all the musicians involved are all heartfelt, honest and excellent musically. Licak plays some wicked bass clarinet parts, which are, together with the electric bass, part of the pulse behind the music and of course adds saxophone improvisations. Dabrowski is as usual the virtuoso in the pack with some heartbreaking solo parts, but also great as part of the "brass section" playing the unisono melody statements. Meinild adds his beautiful gentle tone on both alto and tenor saxophones, expanding the overall sound of the band considerably. Andersson plays electric bass, which sounds perfectly in place in this environment, which is usually reserved for the acoustic double bass. Christiansen, also as usual, plays the drums, managing to keep the time and play around it with his seemingly endless box of percussive tricks. Altogether this is a wonderful display of amazing individual talents and superb ensemble work. Albums like this one are not only aesthetically pleasing and heartwarming, but first and foremost point the way towards the development of European Jazz, which is still making giant steps forwards and manages to discover new territory, to the joy of the connoisseurs of the genre. This is brilliant stuff from start to finish, which I wholeheartedly recommend to everybody who enjoys challenge while listening to music. Well done Sirs!

Updated: 28/10/2017Posted: 28/10/2017

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TROUBLE HUNTING ~ TROUBLE HUNTING MULTIKULTI MPI 020 (Barcode: 5907529223208) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by the Polish / Danish ensemble Trouble HuntingFind albums by this artist led by Polish saxophonist / composer Tomasz LicakFind albums by this artist and including Polish trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, Danish saxophonist Sven Dam MeinildFind albums by this artist, Bosnian keyboardist Adi ZukanovicFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Richard AnderssonFind albums by this artist and drummer Anders ProvisFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by Licak. The music is typical young European Jazz, which combines composed and freely improvised music, with an emphasis on group improvisation and freedom of expression. Despite the advanced explorations, the music manages to stay coherent and tamed, which allows to the inquisitive listener to hear every little nuance of the individual contributions by the musicians. The ambience of the music combines the Polish melancholy with the Scandinavian minimalism, which works out splendidly. Despite the young age of these musicians, they all already show signs of their musical personality. Listening to this album almost a decade after it was recorded gives a wonderful perspective on the musical achievements of Licak, Dabrowski and Meinild, who made numerous other recordings since and solidified their personas. The album is also a document of the bond that was created between young Polish, Danish and other European musicians around the Odense Music Academy, which created an entire circle of musicians who cooperate actively since their meeting as students, being one of the creative foci of contemporary European Jazz. This album withstands the test of time splendidly and sounds every bit as interesting as it did at the time of its release. It is definitely worth revisiting and European Free Jazz / Improvised Music connoisseurs should definitely try and get a copy before this album (like so many others) disappears into oblivion. Great stuff!

Updated: 18/08/2020Posted: 18/08/2020

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