Record Reviews

GRZEGORSKI / SLUSARCZYK ~ TO MUNIAK WITH LOVE BLUES&JAZZ 002 (Barcode: 5908254159879) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is an album by Polish Jazz quintet co-led by saxophonists Tomasz GrzegorskiFind albums by this artist and Marcin SlusarczykFind albums by this artist with a rhythm section comprising of pianist Tomasz BialowolskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej AdamczakFind albums by this artist and drummer Arek SkolikFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten Jazz standards and one original composition by Bialowolski, which is both the title track and a bonus track. The album is dedicated to the memory of the legendary Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, who was a Father figure to many younger Polish Jazz musicians. The album was produced by Slawomir MajewskiFind albums by this artist, Polish Jazz activist and a great connoisseur of classic mainstream Jazz. The albums holds no surprises, exactly as intended, and is meant to be listened to by lovers of conventional, well known Jazz tunes, which are amicably played by professional musicians. This type of unpretentious, good time and somewhat nostalgic mainstream Jazz is relatively not so easy to come by in Poland, where the new generation of musicians and apparently also listeners tend to prefer much more complex and advanced Jazz explorations, which often distances older and more conventional Jazz connoisseurs from the contemporary scene. The music offers a nice blend of ballads and up tempo numbers, which should keep the listeners happy and the beautiful piano / saxophone duet closing the album is an appropriate gesture to commemorate one of the most beloved figures in Polish Jazz history.

Updated: 12/04/2024Posted: 23/12/2019

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NEW BRAND QUINTET ~ NEW BRAND QUINTET BLUES&JAZZ 003 (Barcode: 5908254159886) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet called New Brand QuintetFind albums by this artist, led by veteran drummer Arek SkolikFind albums by this artist and four younger musicians: saxophonist Jaroslaw BothurFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Pawel PalcowskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Tomasz BialowolskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Maciej KitajewskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents six classic American Jazz standards. The choice of the participants and the choice of the material are well suited together, as these musicians have all been linked to the Polish Jazz mainstream, which cultivates the Bebop and Hard Bop tradition on the local scene. The musicians are all well-schooled and experienced, which results in a faithful reproduction of the traditional sound and feel of the music, which changed very little in the last seven decades. There is of course nothing innovative in this music, but it is well played and of course mainstream Jazz is still a legitimate Artform, which many, mostly American Jazz musicians dedicate their lives to. It has become less popular on the European scene in time, but that does not mean that it disappeared from the surface. Bebop and Hard Bop are still the heart of the Jazz tradition and learning that tradition is part of the basic education each Jazz musician should go through during his musical path. If this album proves anything, it is first and foremost the fact that the Polish Jazz scene, including the new generation, should not feel any inferiority complexes in comparison to their contemporaries across the pond. These young players know the tricks of the trade and can play shoulder to shoulder with anybody on this planet. Overall, this album should keep mainstream Jazz fans happy, regardless of their age or origin!

Updated: 12/04/2024Posted: 28/08/2021

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AREK SKOLIK QUARTET ~ JAZZ NIGHT VOL. 1 BLUES&JAZZ 005 (Barcode: 5900786704213) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2024 This is a live album by a Polish Jazz quartet led by drummer Arek SkolikFind albums by this artist with three representatives of the young Polish Jazz generation: trumpeter Pawel PalcowskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Tomasz BialowolskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Maciej KitajewskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, all of which are standards. The relaxed atmosphere of the concert and the splendid sound quality produce a wonderful mainstream Jazz album, which many Jazz enthusiasts should enjoy. All four musicians perform splendidly, and Palcowski, who is the main soloist, deserves a special mention, as his beautiful tome brings a wide smile. I have followed his career since his student days and his recordings as a leader and sideman are all worth listening to. But Kitajewski and Bialowolski also perform formidably. Overall, this is a splendid straightforward mainstream Jazz album, exactly what the doctor prescribed for those Jazz lovers, who delight in the traditional approach, swinging and pleasing as well as one might expect even from the best, which Polish Jazz was always able to offer.

Updated: 24/06/2024Posted: 24/06/2024

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