Record Reviews

WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ KARAMBOLA ALLEGRO 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist was recorded with a septet, which also included trumpeter Robert MajewskiFind albums by this artist, trombonist Grzegorz NagorskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist, bassist Olgierd WalickiFind albums by this artist, drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist and Indonesian (living in Netherlands) percussionist Nippy NoyaFind albums by this artist. It includes seven compositions, five of which are originals by the leader and two are standards. It was also the first release on his own record label, called AllegroFind albums on this label Records, one of the first musician´s owned independent record labels in Poland, which just a decade prior to the release date of this album finally managed to shake off the Socialist regime. During that regime´s rule, which lasted for forty five years, all recordings in Poland were released only by the state owned record label, which single-handedly dictated which music saw the light of day and which didn´t. Of course as a result many great musicians, especially those with Avant Garde inclinations or anti-Government attitude, never received the opportunity to make an album. After the regime´s fall by the end of 1980s, the economic realities replaced the political censorship as a decisive factor as to which music will be released, and an independent, self owned record label is definitely the best solution. In retrospect Allegro Records managed to become one of the leading such labels in Poland, releasing consistently excellent material by the owner, his many friends and other Polish Jazz musicians. The music on this album presents a change of direction for Staroniewicz, as for the first time his great love for World Music is revealed in full. Strongly influenced by Cuban music and other South American musical accents, the music emerges as a superb amalgam of classic mainstream with these folkloristic elements. Beautifully arranged and perfectly executed, it is a non-stop delight from start to finish, with plenty of great soloing and excellent support by the rhythm section. The presence of Noya adds greatly to the overall sound and enhances the World Music feel. Although to a great extent sophisticated, the music sounds really "easy" and most of all danceable, which is a rare achievement. There is an incredible version of George GershwinFind albums by this artist´s "Summertime" here, which will make your behind vibrate. This is definitely an album every true Jazz connoisseur would love to have in his collection. I can´t help it but to recommend it wholeheartedly. Superb stuff!

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted:

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SLAWOMIR JASKULKE ~ LIVE GDYNIA SUMMER JAZZ DAYS 2001 ALLEGRO 003 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Slawomir JaskulkeFind albums by this artist, recorded live in a classic trio / quartet setting with saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions; three of which are by the leader and two are by Sikala. The first two numbers are performed by the trio and the other three by the quartet. Jaskulke is considered as one of the most brilliant representatives of the young generation of Polish Jazz pianists and his achievements during the first decade of the 21st Century are indeed remarkable and include performances around the globe and numerous recordings as leader and sidemen (including those with the veteran Polish Jazz icon Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist). He has also composed music for theatre and cinema. Anybody listening to this album at the time of its release should have expected great things from Jaskulke, as it is a truly outstanding debut. The trio numbers present Jaskulke as an amazing piano virtuoso, playing in a unique style, which is incredibly percussive and powerful, whereas the quartet numbers present his gentler side as a balladeer, playing beautifully restrained melodic phrases or as an ensemble player of great sensitivity. Such incredible versatility is very rare indeed and when executed with a magic touch like the one he presents here, it is simply marvelous. Considering the fact that Jaskulke was only twenty two years old at the time of the recording one must admit that this is a discovery of an extraordinary talent. Musically the trio and the quartet are also quite different, with the material written by the leader being much more open and often freely structured, whereas the numbers written by the saxophonist are pretty standard mainstream Jazz compositions, both very good, but not special in any way. In a sense it seems as if these two different settings belong on two separate albums, but what was done can not be undone, so one should enjoy the fact that this marvelous music was captured for posterity and we can listen to it again and again. The rhythm section performs exactly as expected, changing the volume and presence according to the specific requirements of the moment, always there when one expects them to be, keeping perfect time (which is not always easy here) and modestly displaying another level of virtuosity. Together the ensemble sounds like an unstoppable locomotive, which runs amok, especially in the last tune. This is definitely an album every Jazz piano lover should listen to, sooner or later, an experience he´ll never regret nor forget. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ HAND-MADE ALLEGRO 005 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002 This is a beautiful album by Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which is somewhat unusual, as it also includes accordionist Cezary PaciorekFind albums by this artist, a rare combination these days. The other musicians are: guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. These are all excellent and experienced players, so the result is spotless on the technical front as well as very interesting from the musical standpoint. Staroniewicz has a wonderfully worm tone on his tenor saxophone and an unusually melodic approach, which does not diminish his improvisational qualities, which are truly impressive. The accordion adds a wonderful fuzzy "old time feel" to the entire session, and the Fusion guitar solos are a nice contrast. The music is mostly original with just two standards included for good measure. Overall this album is a lot of fun to listen to and a great proof that solid, melodic Jazz can be also of high quality and interest. Most warmly recommended to listeners who love their mainstream Jazz with a twist!

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PIOTR LEMANCZYK ~ FOLLOW THE SOUL ALLEGRO 006 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist. It was recorded by several different lineups, mostly quartets, with the following participants: saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist, Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist and Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist, guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Of the seven tracks on the album, six are original compositions by Lemanczyk and one is a standard. The music is kept well within the modern Jazz mainstream, but the excellent compositions and performances create a superb piece of Jazz music, which should satisfy every sensitive listener. The use of the vibraphone instead of the usual piano gives the entire recording a "cool" ambience, which suits the music perfectly. The leader gets several solo spots, which emphasize his beautiful tone and sensitivity, rather than needless pyrotechnics. As usual with Polish Jazz albums, the music is the center of the attention, in spite of the truly excellent playing, which is beyond reproach from start to finish. The melodic content and the rhythmic structures are simply incredible and a source of real joy. Overall this album is a perfect example of what mainstream Jazz is all about and should be greatly enjoyed by any Jazz connoisseur anywhere in the world. Highly recommended!

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DOMINIK BUKOWSKI ~ DOMINIK BUKOWSKI & PROJEKTOR ALLEGRO 010 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent ensemble which comprises of saxophonists Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and Lukasz PoprawskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist, drummer Hubert ZemlerFind albums by this artist and Pawel GrabowskiFind albums by this artist who employs live electronics. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Bukowski except for one track being co-credited to Grabowski, which is a soundtrack to a short film, which is also included as part of this enhanced CD. The music is absolutely stunning, typical melancholic Polish Jazz at its best, with beautifully woven melodies, which are then developed by the ensemble to form serene soundscapes, many of which could serve as soundtracks of imaginary movies, not only the last track on the album, which is a soundtrack in reality. Bukowski emerges from the very first moments of this album as an important composer, which of course would be reconfirmed time after time in the years that followed this recording. The personal contributions by the musicians involved in making this album are all first class. Bukowski deliberately takes a step back and solos rather sparingly, but when he takes the lead his performance is mesmerizing. Most of the solos are performed by Staroniewicz, who is definitely one of the best players in the country with an incredible melodic lyrical tone and virtuosic improvisational qualities. Lemanczyk, again one of the finest players in Poland, does his bass magic like a dream. Zemler plays carefully and intelligently in the background in order to keep the delicate balance this music so much depends on intact. The electronic / sampled ornamentations are all non-obtrusive and well suited to the atmosphere of the music, fitting very well into the overall ambience. Overall this is a superb debut and a fantastic Polish Jazz album, which is mostly overlooked in retrospect, definitely deserving an honorable place on the short list of best albums recorded during the first decade of the 21st Century. Those fans of Polish Jazz that missed getting it at the time: it´s never too late for great music!

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KRZYSZTOF HERDZIN ~ LIVE IN TYGMONT ALLEGRO 011 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2006 This album presents a live recording captured at the Warsaw´s Tygmont club by pianist / composer Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist and his trio, with bassist Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist and drummer Cezary KonradFind albums by this artist. The trio performs six compositions, four of which are originals by the leader and two are standards. The recording has a beautiful realistically captured live sound and an overall superb sound quality. People familiar with the Polish Jazz scene are surely aware of the fact that Herdzin is one of the busiest and most versatile musicians in the country, who left his mark on a large scale of different musical projects in Contemporary Classical music, Jazz and Popular music. His work as an arranger / orchestrator marks most of the great Pop albums recorded in the last two decades in Poland. Sometimes it seems as if there is hardly anything happening in Polish music, which does not involve Herdzin one way or another. Of course such omnipresence can be dangerous and lead to spreading the talents thin, but one must admit that everything Herdzin touches turns out well, which simply proves his incredible talent, versatility, stamina, perseverance and above all professionalism. To be fair one must remember that this album presents just one aspect of Herdzin´s activity, i.e. his work as a leader of a classic Jazz piano trio. During his career Herdzin recorded several albums in this format, and I must admit this is the favorite one for me. There are several reasons why I feel that way; firstly the material included herein presents a wide emotional range, from up-tempo numbers presenting Herdzin as a virtuoso pianist performing neck-breaking solos and up to deeply contemplative ballads, where the listener can hear Herdzin the atmospheric painter. Secondly the trio work, which is absolutely stunning, is a superb example of creative cooperation in real time, which after all is what Jazz is all about. The dazzling displays of piano bravura are brilliantly supported at all times by the rhythm section, which at the time of the recording was probably the best in the country. My deeply lamented personal friend Zbigniew Wegehaupt, who left us at a ridiculous young age a year ago, was undoubtedly one of the greatest bassists to emerge on the local scene and drummer Cezary Konrad, with whom Herdzin works often, is probably to top drummer of the second Jazz generation in Poland. This is a classic piano trio album in every respect, which should satisfy even the sternest and most capricious Jazz connoisseurs. Regardless if your champion is Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist or Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, you will find something here, which is of course first and foremost Herdzin´s statement, but sits firmly in the same state of mind that these great Masters bestowed upon us. A timeless jewel!

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ CONVERSESSION - LIVE ALLEGRO 012 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is the first album in the trio format by Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, with bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and US drummer Brian MelvinFind albums by this artist. It was recorded live by the trio during two of their concerts and includes three original compositions by the leader, two originals by Melvin and two standards and one traditional tune. Staroniewicz has a wonderfully warm tone reminiscent of the old Masters and his improvisational skills are spotless. Although fairly mainstream, the music is fresh and interesting and often quite surprising with the rhythm section supporting the leader splendidly and contributing remarkable solo spots as well. Although Staroniewicz does not "cross the line" towards Free Jazz, his playing is often full of tension and marginally touches, at least spiritually, the free spirit of the music. The bassist has also a wonderful tone, which complements the leader´s sound perfectly and Melvin´s skillful and versatile drumming technique adds a lot to the overall effect. This is a kind of album one can return to at any time and always find something new and worth one´s while with each listen. Warmly recommended!

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ADAM CZERWINSKI / DAREK OLESZKIEWICZ ~ RAINDANCE ALLEGRO 015 (Barcode: 634479245978) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 This is an album by a Polish / American Jazz quartet, which features the excellent Polish Jazz rhythm section of drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Darek OleszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and the US players: guitarist Larry KoonseFind albums by this artist and organist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist. Sound engineer Nolan ShaheedFind albums by this artist plays cornet on one track. Oleszkiewicz, Koonse and Shaheed later took part in the recording of the 2nd Aga ZaryanFind albums by this artist album, which was recorded in the same studio. Of the ten tracks on this album, three were composed by Czerwinski, another three by Oleszkiewicz, two by Koonse and the remaining two are standards. The music is all very mainstream and very easy going, i.e. on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but of course is perfectly executed by these master musicians. The sound of the Hammond organ is always a winner and quite irresistible to Jazz buffs, so the overall result is a most entertaining piece of easy melodic Jazz, without being kitschy or overtly moronic. The original compositions are all nicely crafted, especially those by Oleszkiewicz, which are also the most advanced ones on this album. This is an excellent example of how accessible music is able to retain musical qualities, being still strongly rooted in Jazz and improvised, and yet enjoyable to people who have little or no Jazz experience of affiliation. Such listeners will definitely love this stuff madly!

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IREK WOJTCZAK ~ OUTLOOK ALLEGRO 016 (Barcode: 5901157049162) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 This is an excellent album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist and his quartet OutlookFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Piotr ManiaFind albums by this artist, bassist Patryk StaruchaFind albums by this artist and drummer Kuba StaruszkiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of six original compositions, three of which are by Wojtczak and the other three are co-credited to all the quartet members. Wojtczak is one of the busiest players on the local scene and is featured on quite a few recordings made in the last decade, both as a leader and a sideman, which span very versatile musical settings, proving that he feels comfortable in any situation. His technical proficiency and musical maturity are truly admirable, as are his compositional skills. This particular recording is kept in a "retro" Jazz-Rock Fusion atmosphere, emphasized by the excellent utilization of the electric piano, re-creating the ambience of early days of the genre à la Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist. But the music is completely original and up to date, with brilliant melody lines, which serve as a vehicle for expanded improvisations by the leader and the pianist. The rhythm section is also first class, providing just the right amount of support for the soloist during their solos and keeping the entire show appropriately slick and funky. Overall this album is a most pleasant listening experience, with intelligent and aesthetically satisfying music and first rate playing. Both mainstream and Jazz-Rock listeners should find listening to this album a valuable experience. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ ALTERNATIONS ALLEGRO 017 (Barcode: 5901157049179) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is an excellent album by Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which includes pianist Slawomir JaskulkeFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Hubert ZemlerFind albums by this artist. Polish piano superstar Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist sits in on three tracks, replacing the regular pianist. Staroniewicz composed all the nine tracks present here, which again proves his abilities as a composer, as they versatile and vary in mood and melodic direction, including some subtle World Music influences. The music is performed perfectly with the leader soloing extensively, and his solos are always a pleasure to listen to. On the three tracks Mozdzer guests on, he also gets plenty of space to show his chops. The rhythm section gives the soloist excellent support and the overall sound of the quartet is very solid. Staroniewicz has a wonderful tone on tenor and soprano saxophone and an unusually melodic approach, which does not diminish his improvisational qualities, which are truly impressive. Overall this album is a lot of fun to listen to and a great proof that solid, melodic Jazz can be also of high quality and interest. This album is most warmly recommended to Jazz fans who love quality modern mainstream Jazz.

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ A`FREAK-AN PROJECT ALLEGRO 021 (Barcode: 5901157049216) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is a very interesting concept album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, dedicated to African music. Staroniewicz assembled an unusual lineup, fronted by a four-saxophone brass section: himself on tenor, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist on tenor, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist on baritone and Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist on tenor and soprano saxophones. There are no keyboards, as appropriate for African music, which are replaced by typical African instruments like marimba and kalimba, with some vibraphone, all played by Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist. The rhythm section comprises of bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist and two percussionists complete the lineup: Larry Okey UgwuFind albums by this artist and Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist. The album includes seven original compositions, all by the leader, and was recorded "live" in the studio. Rather than copying obvious African elements, Staroniewicz creates a set of compositions, which are African more in spirit than in form, a task which is most commendable and of course much more difficult. The brass arrangements sound similar to African Brass Bands, mostly those from Southern part of the continent, but what is most impressive, is that Staroniewicz presents Africa as a whole, with music influences originating from all the four corners of the Black Continent – North with its Middle-Eastern flavor, West with its typical rhythm signatures, East with its enchanting expressive melodies and South with its highly energetic, danceable spirit. The decision not to include keyboards, especially electronic ones, adds significantly to the authenticity and genuineness of the overall result. Although obviously a team effort, especially in light of the live recording circumstances, there are plenty of great solos by all the players involved. These are all experienced and talented musicians, mostly leaders of their own ensembles and the common strength of their conglomerated effort is quite impressive. One should note that although this is obviously a Jazz-World Fusion album, the ethnic elements are not dominating the basic Jazz feel and order of things here, which happens so often in this genre. After all these are European musicians, who grew up on European aesthetics and heritage, and for them pretending to be native Africans would be ridiculous. Therefore this subtle and intelligent approach is much more effective. In addition to the great musical content the album is also beautifully packaged and the graphic design of the digipak enclosure is simply wonderful and highly original, which proves how much thought and love went into making this album. Highly recommended to Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts, who should enjoy this music wholeheartedly and repeatedly, discovering the many layers it has to offer. Nice stuff!

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SPECIAL JAZZ SEXTET ~ PROJEKT ELBLAG ALLEGRO 022 (Barcode: 5901157049223) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is the debut album by a Polish Jazz sextet, which changed its lineup and name several times before settling with the name Special Jazz SextetFind albums by this artist, before this album was recorded. It is led by keyboardist Bartek KrzywdaFind albums by this artist and includes saxophonist Szymon ZuehlkeFind albums by this artist, trombonist Artur OlewniczakFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Marcin GawdzisFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz SyczFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist guests on five tracks and guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist and violinist Jerry GoodmanFind albums by this artist each guest on one track. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Krzywda. The music is melodic mainstream Jazz bordering on Jazz-Rock Fusion. The brass section is skillfully used in the arrangements to support the keyboards / rhythm section passages and overall the sextet functions as a solid well synchronized unit, achieving a polished and highly professional effect. There are plenty of excellent solo parts by all the participants and the guests. The individual contributions by all the participants are truly outstanding and although these are not "famous" Polish Jazz musicians, their level of technical proficiency and skillful delivery are as good as those by musicians from the "premier league", which of course is a testimony of the incredibly high level of Polish Jazz in general. Overall this is a very well played mainstream Jazz album, which should be satisfying to all listeners the world over. It is fun to listen to and presents first-class musicianship and interesting compositions.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ PRZYJACIELE GRAJA HAJDUNA ALLEGRO 023 (Barcode: 5901157049230) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2011 This album presents the live recording of a memorial concert dedicated to the Polish pianist / composer Janusz HajdunFind albums by this artist, who died a year before this concert took place. Hajdun composed music to more than a hundred films, including the short animated film "Tango", which was the first and so far only Polish film to win the Oscar in 1983, as well as many popular songs. His music was characterized by a distinctive swing and a Jazz spirit, and therefore it is only natural that the Polish Jazz musicians taking part in this concert would pay this loving tribute to the beautiful music composed by Hajdun, hoping to preserve it for posterity. The album presents thirteen compositions by Hajdun (in two cases co-compositions), all of which were beautifully arranged by the participating musicians and three of which include vocals sung by Wanda StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist. The instrumentalist are: legendary pianist Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Piotr NadolskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist, percussionist Adam GolickiFind albums by this artist and pianist Kuba HajdunFind albums by this artist (the composer´s son). The music is truly beautiful, full of the typical Polish lyricism, somewhat melancholic and even gloomy, but always absorbing and aesthetically perfect. There is more than a coincidental similarity to Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist´s cinematic work, which indisputably inspired Hajdun, as it did all Polish composers. Hearing all this music collected here makes a great impact as a sum total and emphasizes his incredible value as a composer and contributor to the development of Polish Culture. The performances are inspired and overall perfect, full of superb solos and excellent team work, kept in relative low-key, as appropriate for a memorial concert. Ranging from solo piano performances to a full-blown Jazz ensemble, things are definitely happening here, which should leave no listener cold. The fact that people pay tribute to their departed colleagues and mentors is heartwarming and commendable and when it is done with such love, dedication and talent, it becomes an unforgettable event. This is Polish Jazz at its best, and as such it deserves to be listened to with attention and open-mindedness. Taking care of the past and the heritage is every bit as important as taking care of the future, let´s not forget it.

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MOONGANG ~ TAXI ALLEGRO 024 (Barcode: 5901157049247) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by a young Polish Blues-Rock / Funk band MoongangFind albums by this artist, fronted by female vocalist Joanna KnitterFind albums by this artist, with harmonica player Roman BadenskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Hubert SwiatekFind albums by this artist, bassist Karol KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr GoraFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of eleven original songs and one instrumental. The guitarist composed eight of the pieces, the vocalist two and the bassist and pianist contributed one each. Knitter wrote the lyrics to all eleven songs, ten of which are in English and one is in Polish. Obviously based on the Blues tradition, the music stretches out into other genres, like Rock, Funk and even occasionally Fusion. Almost all the tunes are up-tempo and have a very funky feel about them, which certainly tends to make the listeners dance or at least tap their feet. The instrumental performances are all quite excellent, especially the beautiful harmonica parts, which are the link to the Blues roots of this music, but also the guitar and electric piano solos are a delight. The rhythm section does an excellent job keeping the music moving forward and providing the funky feel. The vocalist has a worm, strong voice, which she uses cleverly and effectively and which is ideal for this kind of music. She has a great timing and phrasing and overall her performances are just what this music needs. Having said all that, there are some points about this album, which bother me personally, although most local listeners probably won´t mind them at all. I understand the desire of Polish bands to sound "international" and use English lyrics. The vocalist´s English pronunciation and accent are actually quite passable and are not a problem as such, but the lyrics are. Using slang and dirty words does not make lyrics more "native" English, does it? One does not have to even go beyond this very album to see that the sole song in Polish sounds so much better that all the others, in order to learn a lesson not to make the same mistake again, hopefully. But all in all this is an excellent debut album by a band with a lot of abilities and even more potential in the future. This band most probably kicks ass on the stage like few others and gives the audiences a great time. The album is great for driving, as I´ve experienced, making the long stretch of the road to pass unnoticed. Well done indeed!

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STARONIEWICZ / JAGODZINSKI / RAJSKI ~ TRANQUILLO ALLEGRO 025 (Barcode: 5901157049254) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 Lush saxophone, gently strumming piano and a string orchestra sound more like a recipe for a soundtrack to a third-rate erotic movie (i.e. porn flick) than a serious musical venture. The iniquitous "Sax and Strings" trap made many of the best Jazz saxophone players sound like muzak junkies, leaving only a few of them, who managed to create some superb music out of this unforgiving format. I was prepared for the worse when I placed this album into the CD player and hesitantly pushed the Play button. Lo and behold, the music turned out to be simply delightful… what a relief. Veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist combines forces with pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist and his trio, which also includes bassist Adam CegielskiFind albums by this artist and Master veteran drummer Czeslaw BartkowskiFind albums by this artist. The resulting quartet is accompanied by the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, conducted by Wojciech RajskiFind albums by this artist. The album consists of eleven compositions, two of which are originals by Staroniewicz and the rest are standards (four of those are by Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist). The orchestral arrangements of seven of the tracks were written by another veteran Polish Jazz hero Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, three are by Jagodzinski and the remaining one by Artur JurekFind albums by this artist. The music is presented on three overlaying platforms: the saxophone, the piano trio and the orchestra; each of those with its separate content, and merging with the other two to create the overall effect and compliment each other. Staroniewicz is a superb sax player and his wonderful tone and flow are absolutely perfect for this music. He plays the melodies, but also improvises constantly, although staying well within the harmonic boundaries. Jagodzinski and his trio are also one of the finest Polish Jazz ensembles, and although their role on this album is mostly limited to provide the Jazzy atmospheric background and rhythmic backbone, the trio´s leader plays several beautiful lyrical solos and the rhythm section swings like there´s no tomorrow. The strings are the biggest surprise of them all; the arrangements are quite unusual and often not what the listen might expect at all – intelligent, challenging and with a life of their own. Combined with the quartet playing on top they enhance the overall result enormously and one must admit they do it most pleasantly. Yes, this is the gentle side of Jazz. It is sweet and romantic and beautiful, but it is also clever, perfectly done and heartwarming. It manages to avoid being kitschy, which is so damn difficult under these circumstances. OK I admit, I´m a dead romantic at heart and I love this stuff, exactly for what it is – bite me ;) The album´s artwork is also beautiful, one of the few cases when the artwork fits the album´s contents perfectly. Great stuff!

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MACIEJ KOCINSKI ~ PROVERBS 3:5 ALLEGRO 026 (Barcode: 5901157049261) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the debut recording by the trio led by Polish saxophonist / composer Maciej KocinskiFind albums by this artist, who is primarily known as the leader of the SoundcheckFind albums by this artist quartet, which received a lot of positive attention on the local scene in the last few years. The other members of the trio are bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist, who are also Soundcheck members. Vocalists Kuba BadachFind albums by this artist and Patrick JiyaFind albums by this artist appear as special guests. The album consists of ten original compositions, all by Kocinski. The trio serves as another vehicle for the leader and his cohorts to present music, which does not fit within the framework of the Soundcheck quartet, moving into areas like atmospheric / ambient / contemplative music influenced by folkloristic motifs and to some extent by contemporary Classical music. The usage of electronics and electric bass takes the music further away from purely acoustic Jazz mainstream. There is also an atmosphere of deep emotional expression, enhanced by the album´s beautiful artwork, title and of course its subject matter. Naming an album after a Biblical quote (and even printing the original Hebrew text on the cover) is surely no accident. The music is quite an unusual amalgam, which makes sense only after listening to the whole album, preferably more than once. It involves many different techniques, from "conventional" acoustic saxophone trio to purely improvised passages, electronic soundscapes, vocal chanting, recitation and others. And yet all these different elements fit together perfectly against all odds, creating truly exciting and emotional sonic experiences. Kocinski uses the EWI skillfully to produce a plethora of different sounds, enhancing the overall instrumental range. The element of melody is vital to this music and reoccurs repeatedly, with beautiful lyrical themes, which later serve as the basis for improvised excursions. The album and the music are obviously a team effort, and although the leader is the primary soloist, his partners get ample opportunity to contribute. Swies is brilliant, as always, with his bass (acoustic and electric) being the backbone of this excellent music. Szmanda fills the blanks and supports delicately, which is exactly what this music needs. His intelligence and good taste are obvious all the way through. All in all this is a superb musical effort, which keeps the listeners on their toes for the entire duration, leaving them wishing for more of the different same. The Polish Jazz scene seems to be a bottomless pit of great music and talented musicians. It is always a great pleasure to discover yet another example of the above and this album certainly stands out as one of the most interesting releases of 2012. Wholeheartedly recommended to all those lionhearted connoisseurs of exciting, surprising and adventurous music!

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FUSION GENERATION PROJECT ~ NO FUSION ALLEGRO 027 (Barcode: 5901157049278) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 - 2013 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by young Polish quartet called Fusion Generation ProjectFind albums by this artist, which consists of keyboardist Dariusz PeteraFind albums by this artist, guitarist / cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Lukasz Jan JozwiakFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof KwiatkowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform nine original compositions, six of which are by Petera and the rest are one each by the other three quartet members. Saxophonist Marcin KajperFind albums by this artist and American trumpeter Michael Patches StewartFind albums by this artist appear as guest on a few tracks. The music is a nice brand of Jazz-Rock Fusion, on the lighter side of the genre almost touching on instrumental Pop occasionally. The tunes are very melodic and pretty straight-forward, but the level of performances as well as the general atmosphere of the album is quite excellent. There are also a few nice surprises, for example when the guitarist plays the cello out of the blue, and other less enjoyable ones when the album starts with a long drums solo track. The keyboardist, who is also the principal composer of the material, is the Jazziest player in the quartet, whereas the guitarist (at least when playing the guitar) is a definite Rocker. The excellent rhythm section is quite Funky on the other hand, so the overall effect works well, without taking any major risks. The usage of the sax and trumpet seem a bit out of place as the band sounds pretty balanced as a quartet and loses the focus with the addition of the brass. Stewart´s solos, although adequate, seem out of place stylistically and sort of misguided. But overall the music is good fun and a nice listen, especially when driving. I´d prefer that such talented musicians would have played a more adventurous and challenging music altogether, but each to his choices and the future will tell where does all this lead. In the meantime this album will surely find many satisfied listeners.

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI ~ BLUE NIGHT SESSION ALLEGRO 028 (Barcode: 5901157049285) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the second album by the Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist, all seasoned players from the Polish Tricity region. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Wadolowski. Wadolowski can be also heard as a member of Elec-Tri-CityFind albums by this artist and MoongangFind albums by this artist. The music is all very melodic and kept within the mainstream Jazz conventions. All the tracks are relatively short, creating a sort of "songs" album, although of course entirely instrumental, in contrast to a typical Jazz recording, which focuses on the improvisational skills. Wadolowski simply decides to concentrate on featuring his skills as a composer and presenting his music rather than his and his quintets performing talents. There is basically absolutely nothing wrong with such approach of course. Nevertheless the album features very talented and skilled instrumentalists and although the framework and time limitations of this album allow rather modest contributions, those are all executed perfectly. Staroniewicz is a marvelous player and so is Bukowski, who uses recently more and more the xylosynth (a combination of xylophone and synthesizer, which sound really more like a keyboard and produces some very beautiful moments. The rhythm section is also perfect for the job, staying mostly in the background but providing a solid support for the soloist and doing it with grace and elegance. As to the leader, personally I prefer his work in a more electric / Fusion / Funky environment than playing gentle almost acoustic guitar, which limits his possibilities or perhaps exposes more his technical weaknesses, but overall his performance is also quite satisfactory. All in all we have here a pleasant well played album, which should satisfy most Jazz connoisseurs, with a slight tendency towards melodic and less complex musical forms. This album is quite ideal for a lazy evening with a glass of a wonderful cognac or very old single malt on ice.

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ A`FREAK-KOMEDA PROJECT ALLEGRO 029 (Barcode: 5901157049292) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the second album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and his A`Freak-aN ProjectFind albums by this artist ensemble, which consists of a four saxophones front line: Staroniewicz on tenor, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist on tenor, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist on baritone and Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist on soprano. The extended rhythm section includes vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist, drummer Roman SlefarskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Larry Okey UgwuFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to the music of Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and four of the six tracks presented here were composed by Komeda, and the remaining two are original composition by Staroniewicz, who also arranged all the music. The African influences on this album, similarly to its predecessor, are relatively subtle and are wisely intertwined with the Jazz content, being felt primarily on the rhythmic plane and the overall atmosphere of the music. As a result this music is still very much mainstream Jazz, and not overtly a Jazz-World Fusion, although African spirit is present during the entire proceedings. The arrangements of Komeda´s tunes work all very nicely, which on one hand proves that Komeda´s music is completely universal, and on the other that Staroniewicz and his colleagues do a great job here, lovingly and respectfully treating the creations of the great composer. The two originals by Staroniewicz ale also first rate tunes, fitting the overall atmosphere of the album. The four saxophones section plays both superb ensemble arrangements and inspired individual solos, which are a true delight. Bukowski is also excellent, as usual, as is the solid rhythm section, which simply does a perfect job here. The level of instrumental work on this album is highly professional and full of joy and elegance. Altogether this is a superb mainstream Jazz album, which features great music, intelligent arrangements and perfect execution. The almost impossible task of saying something innovative in relation to Komeda´s music was successfully achieved here as well. Therefore hopefully as many Jazz fans as possible will decide to check out this beautiful little gem and share its gift of music. Once again I´d like to say that the graphic design of this album, which continues its predecessor´s idea, is among the most elegant and eye-catching album designs on the Polish Jazz market.

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MARCIN WADOLOWSKI ~ MY GUITAR THERAPY ALLEGRO 030 (Barcode: 5901157049308) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third album by Polish guitarist / composer Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a trio setting with superb bassist (both acoustic and electric) Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam CzerwinskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wadolowski. If the two earlier albums by Wadolowski flirted with Jazz to some extent, this one abandons all Jazz connections and concentrates on Blues or Blues-Rock entirely. Of course the rhythm section comes from the Jazz environment, but they too play along splendidly within the Blues idiom, retaining their superb technique and feeling. Of course Wadolowski improvises extensively during his extended solos, but this is typical Blues-Rock improvisation. It becomes plainly evident from the early moments of this album that Wadolowski really feels great in this environment and his playing is not only more daring and adventurous but also much gutsier than earlier on. Of course Lemanczyk also adds a few bass solos of his own, which are, as always, absolutely breathtaking, but he easily complies with the Bluesy atmosphere. Wadolowski writes great melodic tunes, which are ideal vehicles for his guitar pyrotechnics and combine some Funk and Groove on top of the basic Blues-Rock stuff. In short, this music should not be judged by Jazz standards, as it is not Jazz music. It is a down to earth Blues-Rock, excellently played and ideal for the many fans of the genre. It is a great listen and a true fun, without any compromise whatsoever as far as musicianship and integrity are concerned.

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KRZYSZTOF LENCZOWSKI ~ INTERNAL MELODY ALLEGRO 031 (Barcode: 5901157049315) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is (finally!) the debut album by Polish cellist / guitarist / composer Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist, one of the most prominent representatives of the young generation of Polish musicians, who is characterized by a total cross-genre approach to music, tipping his fingers in anything from Pop, Rock, Fusion, Jazz and deep into contemporary Classical music, always with grace and sublime talent. The fact that this is his debut album, already preceded by dozens of albums recorded as a group member or sideman, is surprising, but on the other hand nothing about Lenczowski should be really surprising, as he is an Artist of the unexpected. This album, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Grzech PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist, organist Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz WaldowskiFind albums by this artist, was recorded at the Studio Tokarnia (owned by Smoczynski who also engineered the recording with the usual spectacular sonic results) presents eight original compositions, all by Lenczowski. From the very first tones heard on this album it becomes immediately apparent that this is a piece of music completely unique and incomparable to anything else happening anywhere. Yes, completely unexpected in every aspect: sound, melody, use of instruments, atmosphere and overall feel of this album are all absolutely stunning. Cello is by far not the most popular instrument outside of the Classical Music idiom and Lenczowski´s determination to stick with this instrument despite the obvious difficulty, is commendable. But the entire instrumentation of his music on this album is far from being easy on the ear: Jazzy saxophone playing complex extended solos, organ playing mostly bass lines and very limited melody / chord lines and a Rocky drummer on top – a strange recipe to say the least. And yet against all odds this music works splendidly and extremely effectively. Lenczowski´s cello parts are of course incredible all the way through, which is hardly surprising in his case. Surprisingly (again) Piotrowski plays beautifully and ambitiously as well, and Lenczowski´s decision to use him here turned out to be the right one, in spite of Piotrowski´s problematic flirts with Smooth muzak in the past. Smoczynski, as always, turns out to be an island of serenity and his somber, church like organ sound, creates a solid layer upon this music solidly rests, or floats above. Waldowski´s drums become an integral part of the ensemble and his sensitivity, elegance and coolness are exemplary. As usually the strength of the entire ensemble only works out if all the participants contribute on the same emotional level, which obviously happens in this case. Lenczowski also deserves praise for his compositions, which are all not only beautifully melodic, but also delightfully lyrical and emotionally deep. The music sounds at times like medieval chant, or charmingly discloses touches Middle Eastern mystique, or brings fond memories of early days of Progressive Rock glory. Regardless of the many associations, it is always inspired and rewarding. Overall this is a most impressive debut album by an experienced and mature musician, who is still searching and ready for the challenges of the future. It is definitely one of the finest albums released this year on the Polish scene, with very few challengers around. An absolute must for any true music lover!

Updated: 26/10/2016Posted:

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PRZEMEK DYAKOWSKI ~ SWING! ALLEGRO 032 (Barcode: 5901157049322) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is a live recording of a concert that celebrated the 80th Birthday Anniversary of the veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist. The music, recorded at Radio Gdansk, was performed by a group of Dyakowski´s friends, which included, in addition to him of course, vocalist Joanna KnitterFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Artur JurekFind albums by this artist (who also arranged all the songs), bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. A few guest musicians also took part in the proceedings. The album presents eight songs (and a bonus track with vocalese by Hanna BanaszakFind albums by this artist), seven of which are originals: two each by Staroniewicz and Knitter, and one each by Dyakowski, Bukowski and Mackiewicz. Knitter also wrote the lyrics (in English) to all these original songs. The last song is a standard. The music is exactly what the album´s title promises: a set of songs kept within the mainstream Jazz tradition, all of which sound as if they were well known Jazz standards, which of course means that they are all beautifully crafted to the highest standard. The performances are also excellent, executed with flair and obvious professionalism, spiced with many beautiful solos. The relaxed atmosphere and good sound make the music flow smoothly from one song to another, with an overall effect of joyous occasion and great fun had by all the musicians present Knitter manages to pass the test of singing in English, which usually has a disastrous result on Polish Jazz albums. Her pronunciation, although obviously non-English, is charming enough and highly musical, which makes the overall result comparable to other great non-native English language singers. Her singing here and her warm timbre fit the general concept of the music like a glove. Her lyrics are also quite excellent, so she comes out of this recording definitely on the winning side. Overall this album is definitely as good, if not better, than most American mainstream / Swing albums, and the original music herein is way better, which of course means that Polish Jazz is not inferior anymore to anything from across the pond.

Updated: 12/02/2016Posted: 12/02/2016

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BYRKLYMYNY TRIO ~ OPERA IN HEAVEN ALLEGRO 033 (Barcode: 5901157049339) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2005 Released: 2016 This is the archival debut album by Byrklymyny TrioFind albums by this artist led by veteran Polish Jazz violinist Henryk GembalskiFind albums by this artist and including bassist Wojciech ZduniakFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal ZduniakFind albums by this artist. The album presents an original nine-piece suite credited to all three trio members. The music is quite versatile and moves between Ambient, Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion, with an emphasis on the latter, especially due to the use of electric bass and rhythmic Rock patterns. Although based on melodic themes, the music ventures into lengthy improvised passages, which feature the violin using a plethora of synthesized effects, sounding nothing like the traditional acoustic instrument. The overall effect of the music creates a kind of imaginary voyage or soundtrack of an imaginary movie, hypnotic and absorbing. The rhythm section is very much involved in the actual creation of the music, playing much more than is simply required to keep the tempo, adding polyrhythmic pulsations and groovy / funky bass lines. Combined with the violin extravaganza on top of the rich rhythmic layer the music keeps the listener on edge for the entire duration of the album. This album is another example of the versatility and depth of the Polish Jazz violin school that is experiencing a wonderful renaissance lately and is probably the leading world center of violin oriented Jazz activities in the world, taking over the traditional lead from France. This phenomenon is definitely worth a closer study. Gembalski, who is a part of the Polish Jazz scene since many years, and who was usually associated with the more Avant-Garde oriented circles, takes a new position within the mainstream this time, without of course lowering his standards or giving up his musical integrity. This album should expose his great talent to many new listeners, who have somehow missed him earlier on. For violin lover this album is definitely a must, especially in view of its unique approach to the instrument and excellent, albeit unusual, musical contents. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 24/03/2017

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LUKASZ KORYBALSKI ~ CMM ALLEGRO 034 (Barcode: 5901157049346) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2017 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Lukasz KorybalskiFind albums by this artist, known primarily for his work as composer of cinematic music. This album presents the music Korybalski wrote for the film "Cale Mnostwo Milosci" (hence CMM), performed by a quintet which features the leader on trumpet and also includes saxophonist Borys JanczarskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist; a most formidable team. Saxophone icon Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Bogusz WekkaFind albums by this artist guest on one tune each. The album presents six original compositions, all by Korybalski. The music is absolutely stunning from start to finish, typical melancholic Polish Jazz very closely reminiscent of early cinematic music by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, with the same melodic hooks one just can´t stop humming after the music is over. The similarity is so close, that if I didn´t know what album is playing, I´d suspect that a newly discovered Komeda album is on. This is not only reflected by the music, the melodic approach and the harmonic progressions, but also by the way the quintet performs the music, which has a tinge of wonderful "out fashioned" nostalgia to it. Even the one relatively "free" composition on the album is spiritually almost identical to Komeda´s famous composition "Astigmatic". The instrumental performances are all top notch. Korybalski displays some Miles Davis modal influences, all being in the most elegant form, Janczarski has a warm and smooth tone and Tokaj, one of Poland´s best pianists, sadly relatively rarely heard on albums, is a dream. The superb rhythm section cements the lineup with amicable support for the soloists and wonderful drive. Albums like this one are a persuasive proof that contemporary melodic mainstream can be intelligent, creative, fascinating and aesthetically fulfilling. It simply has something that sets it apart from thousands of other mainstream albums, firmly standing in a class of its own. It also shows why European Jazz left the American Jazz in a fifty years slumber. Overall this is one of the best Polish Jazz albums that I have had the pleasure to listen to in many years. It is perfect in every way, it bridges the tradition with contemporary ideas, it pays tribute to its cultural background and sources; in short it is it! Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 09/04/2017Posted: 09/04/2017

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FREE FUSION BAND ~ VULCAN`S ELECTRIC HAMMER ALLEGRO 035 (Barcode: 5901157049353) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 - 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the Free Fusion BandFind albums by this artist, a project led by Polish (resident in Oslo) bassist / keyboardist / synthesizer player / composer Jakub PielakFind albums by this artist. The participants include several Polish and Norwegian musicians, including guitarist Tomasz KozaFind albums by this artist, percussionist Iwona LipinskaFind albums by this artist and many others. The album was recorded in Oslo over a period of over ten years and presents seven lengthy compositions, all by Pielak. It is lavishly packaged with graphics and texts full of Science Fiction allusions, which were an obvious influence on the composer. The music is a unique amalgam of a plethora of electronic, ambient, improvised threads, combined together to create an Avant-Garde flow, which is fascinating and engaging, although certainly quite demanding, especially when encountered for the first time. There are distinct melodic themes and a coherent continuity, but the music is not devised to be analyzed on the detailed plane but rather embraced as a whole by simply succumbing to its natural flow. There are many improvised passages, which as the band´s name suggests are inherently closer to Fusion than to Jazz, although could be accepted as both. The entire approach is more accidental and cinematic in its nature, which leads this music more into the "soundtracks of imaginary movies" category rather than a concrete melodic / harmonic entity. Although the music was created and recorded over a prolonged period of time and involves different teams of participating musicians, it certainly manages to maintain a coherent concept and stylistic unity, which in projects of such nature is often very difficult. The natural flow and often hypnotic nature of the music enables listeners, who are drown to such emotional involvement, to get completely enthralled within the music. This is certainly quite an unusual project in every respect and the will and consistency demanded from Pielak to bring this music into existence deserves respect and admiration. Going against the popular flow and following one´s true vision are rare qualities today. I am already looking forward to hear more of Pielak´s conceptual vistas in the future and in the meantime recommend listeners´ who are able to make a conscious efforts and take a step out of the comfort zone and listen to some truly exciting music present on this album. A true voyage of discovery…

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 23/03/2019

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ NORTH PARK ALLEGRO 036 (Barcode: 5901157049360) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by veteran Polish saxophonist / composer Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quintet setting with vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist and Norwegian trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions all by Staroniewicz. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and offers wonderful sound quality, as expected, and was released on AllegroFind albums on this label Records, an independent record label owned by Staroniewicz, which since over two decades releases Polish Jazz albums recorded by musician living in the Baltic Pomeranian region. The music, although melody based and mainstream oriented, offers a specific sound and atmosphere, which is somewhat similar to Scandinavian / Nordic Jazz and quite distant from typical Polish Jazz. The pianoless quintet, which uses vibraphone as the harmonic instrument and the presence of the dominant trombonist all have a decisive influence on the music, which offers a darkish, somewhat distant atmosphere and ambience, which is very effective. Combined with the characteristic compositions, which Staroniewicz is famous for since many decades, the music manages to create a unique and very startling overall impression. All five musicians are of course highly skilled professionals, who know exactly what needs to be played at any given moment and their interplay is absolutely perfect for this music, which needs attentive listening in order to get familiar with all its intricacies and has a distinctive effect of growing on the listener with consecutive listening sessions. Personally the impressive bass parts by Urowski as some of my favorite moments on this album, but to be fair it is full of great playing from start to finish. Overall this album is a wonderful example of the incredible diversity of the Polish Jazz scene, even within the mainstream genre itself. Staroniewicz, as usual, deservers praise for doing his own thing and ignoring fads and fashions. His lifetime commitment to excellence is admirable. This is highly interesting and challenging music, which deserves to be heard!

Updated: 22/03/2019Posted: 22/03/2019

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MAREK JAKUBOWSKI ~ COLORS ALLEGRO 037 (Barcode: 5901157049377) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2019 This is the third album as a leader by Polish Jazz drummer / composer Marek JakubowskiFind albums by this artist. The first two albums, recorded in a classic piano trio format, were recorded in 2013 (i.e. six years ago) and this debut album in a quartet setting was recorded in 2017 (i.e. two years ago), which means that Jakubowski is certainly taking his time to create new music for his releases, not like many other musicians who somehow feel obligated to release albums in an almost obsessive paste. The quartet includes saxophonist Marek KonarskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Jacek SzwajFind albums by this artist and bassist Damian KostkaFind albums by this artist, all members of the young and upcoming generation of the Polish Jazz scene. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Jakubowski. The music is all well within the modern mainstream Post-bop mold, but the compositions are all very well weaved and complex enough to serve as excellent vehicles for the quartet members to show their chops. The ballads display the characteristic Polish melancholy, which of course is expected. As usual with Jakubowski´s albums, the focus is certainly on the compositions rather than on the performances, which of course does not mean that those are inferior in any way. In many ways Jakubowski is almost a class of his own as far as Jazz compositions on the Polish scene are concerned, and deserved a much wider recognition than he enjoys today. Both Konarski and Szwaj offer excellent soloing, showing deep empathy with the compositions and Kostka stands shoulder to shoulder with the leader to keep the music well on track rhythmically, also soloing superbly on the way. This is European mainstream Jazz at its finest hour and a delightful listening experience to all fans of this idiom. It is good to see (hear) Jakubowski back on the track, hoping he will not keep us waiting so long next time, as he is certainly is one of the most talented Polish Jazz composers with a deep love and respect to all that is characteristically Polish in music, going back to Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist´s legacy. A true beauty warmly recommended!

Updated: 15/11/2019Posted: 15/11/2019

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ / A`FREAK-AN PROJECT ~ LIVE IN GDANSK ALLEGRO 038 (Barcode: 5901157049384) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2019 This is the third album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist and his A`Freak-aN ProjectFind albums by this artist ensemble, which is an octet featuring a saxophone quartet and an extended rhythm section: Staroniewicz on tenor, Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist on tenor, Dariusz HerbaszFind albums by this artist on baritone, Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist on soprano, Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist on vibraphone, Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist on bass, Roman SlefarskiFind albums by this artist on drums and Larry Okey UgwuFind albums by this artist on percussion. The album, which was recorded live at Radio Gdansk, presents seven compositions, two of which are originals by Staroniewicz, four are by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and one is by McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, all arranged by Staroniewicz. This album is in fact a live version of the previous album by the ensemble from 2015, called "A`Freak-Komeda ProjectFind albums with this title", except for the Tyner track. Therefore basically everything I wrote about that album applies also here – just click on the link. As Staroniewicz says on the album´s artwork, this album is a great opportunity to compare the same music recorded in studio and live, which of course can be very different. The live concert setting offers much more dynamics and excitement and expanded improvisations, but is prone to minor "mishaps", which in retrospect are usually simply charming. Since the Komeda arrangements are really very special, I recommend to Polish Jazz enthusiasts to put their hands on this album as well and compare these versions with the studio ones, and enjoy a great live album with excellent musicians on board.

Updated: 14/01/2020Posted: 14/01/2020

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BIPOLAR ORDER ~ DUALITY ALLEGRO 039 (Barcode: 5901157049391) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quartet Bipolar OrderFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Mateusz ChorazewiczFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jakub ZolubakFind albums by this artist, bassist Lukasz Ostrowski-KunertFind albums by this artist and drummer Maciej WojcieszukFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, four by Chorazewicz and three by Zolubak. The music floats between mainstream Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion, with solid melodic compositions, mostly melancholic and slowly developing, with some Folkloristic influences and even some Free Form moments. There is a significant difference between the more Jazz oriented compositions by Chorazewicz and the Fusion oriented compositions by Zolubak, which is also evident in the continuous conflict between saxophone parts / improvisations and those by the guitar, with the saxophone clinging to Jazz tradition and the guitar pushing towards Fusion. The bass guitar also influences the overall sound, adding to the Fusion feel, which eventually wins the competition. But to be fair, the music is well structured and often way more complex than the "usual" Fusion outings, and as such definitely worth listening to. It´s a pity that the guitarist is overwhelmingly influenced by Fusion heroes, rather than searching for a more individual approach to the instrument, but the future is surely still ahead of him. The saxophone parts are all quite original and beyond reproach, which saves the day. Perhaps the quartet needs to find a stylistic compromise, which will unify the music and focus the musical direction of the future recordings, perhaps something in the direction of the title track, which is by far the most interesting on the album. Having said all that, the album is still quite impressive considering it’s a debut and taking into account the excellent compositions it presents. It should be of interest to many listeners, especially those who still have not lost hope in the possibility that Fusion can produce interesting music today. All in all well done!

Updated: 16/11/2019Posted: 16/11/2019

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JOANNA KNITTER ~ ARETHA ALLEGRO 041 (Barcode: 5901157049414) ~ POLAND ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish vocalist Joanna KnitterFind albums by this artist and her band called Blues & Folk ConnectionFind albums by this artist, which comprises of keyboardist Artur JurekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Krzysztof PaulFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr GoraFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, this s a tribute album to the American Soul / Rhythm And Blues Diva, singer / songwriter Aretha FranklinFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen songs either written by or associated with Franklin’s repertoire. Normally I’d have dismissed such enterprise without even giving it a listen; I mean Polish vocalist singing classic / untouchable songs, probably with a terrible Polish accent and accompanied by a bunch of anonymous musicians. But luckily for me I have heard several earlier recordings by Knitter and decided to give the album a chance, which turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. Of course there is nothing innovative or original as far as the music is concerned, but Knitter is an incredible vocalist, with a lovely husky / throaty voice, which she uses very effectively, her accent is not bad at all and her feel for the Blues / Soul is pretty astonishing, as if she was born Black at heart. And to top things up, the guys in the band turn out to be ass-kicking instrumentalist, who can play great guitar licks, soulful Hammond and piano accompaniment and the rhythm section pushes the music strongly forward. In short this is a great Blues / Soul album, which stands proudly shoulder to shoulder with anything recorded across the pond, and with the American music market’s head deeply stuck up the Hip Hop behind, this music sounds more American than anything made in the America these days. In short, as usual, never dismiss an album before you hear it, as nice surprises can happen. Hats off to Knitter for making my ass dance in the chair when I listened to this album, which I hope will happen to everybody listening to it. I surely appreciate to courage to face this challenge – you did well Lady!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 09/08/2021

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MARCIN JANEK / EXTRADITION QUINTET ~ MOVIN` ON ALLEGRO 042 (Barcode: 5901157049421) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Marcin JanekFind albums by this artist and his Extradition QuintetFind albums by this artist, which also includes trumpeter Piotr SzlempoFind albums by this artist, pianist Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maksymilian KreftFind albums by this artist. Veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist and the owner of AllegroFind albums on this label Records, which released this album, Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, guests on one track. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Janek. The music is all within the mainstream modern Jazz idiom, but the level of the compositions and the splendid performances turn it into a most enjoyable listening experience from start to finish. The quintet comprises of a mixed bag of musicians, as far as recording experience is concerned, but the seamless flow and diversity of these players speaks volumes as to the level of the young Polish Jazz scene, which of course is hardly a secret to those familiar with the scene. As already mentioned above, the level of the compositions is the most surprising element on this album, since each and every one of the seven tunes is an immediate candidate for sounding like a Jazz standard, creating a warm feeling of familiarity in the listener’s sub consciousness. The leader offers some passionate soprano saxophone soloing of snake-charming fluidity and no less impressive work on the tenor saxophone. Sadly, he plays the flute sparingly, which is a pity, as this beautiful instrument get sadly very little exposure lately. The rhythm section passes with flying colors, with Kisiel, an already proven charmer, providing excellent harmonic accompaniment, “almost veteran” Urowski is excellent, as always, and Kreft, whom I know from only one previous recording, is certainly a drummer worth watching. Overall this is a heartwarming album, which proves that the Jazz tradition is being well preserved by the young Polish players, and kept up to date with contemporary approach and that the new generation is able to compose wonderful European Jazz, which no inferiority complex. Well done by all of you Gentlemen!

Updated: 03/08/2021Posted: 03/08/2021

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WOJCIECH STARONIEWICZ ~ STRANGE VACATION ALLEGRO 045 (Barcode: 5901157049452) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the second album by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader / AllegroFind albums on this label Records label owner Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with the quintet featuring Norwegian trombonist Erik JohannessenFind albums by this artist and Polish vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Pawel UrowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Przemyslaw JaroszFind albums by this artist. It follows the “North Park” album from 2019. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Staroniewicz except one by Johannessen. Staroniewicz managed to establish himself over the years as one of the most reliable Polish Jazz leaders, who is always surrounded by the best Jazz players on the Baltic Tricity scene, often cooperating also with musicians from other countries, as this album demonstrates. The music continues the aesthetic direction established by the debut album, with highly melodic and melancholic melody lines and restrained expressionism, emphasized by the presence of the vibraphone, which settles the overall ambience. The music returns to the atmosphere of smoky, dark clubs of the early days of Polish Jazz, which often also involved Scandinavian Jazz musicians, and explores odd rhythmic patterns and unusual harmonics. Overall, this is a highly elegant, mature and atmospheric album, based on elegant tunes and superb performances by experienced and sensitive musicians, everything a Jazz connoisseur might wish for. This is Polish Jazz at its best, timeless and universal, and still meaningful, respecting tradition but exploring its own space-time continuum. Very well done, as always!

Updated: 06/06/2022Posted: 06/06/2022

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MACIEJ KOCINSKI ~ 14 SHORT STORIES ALLEGRO 046 (Barcode: 5901157049469) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the second album as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Maciej KocinskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Maciej Kocin KocinskiFind albums by this artist), recorded in an intimate trio setting with bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist, same as the debut album “Proverbs 3:5Find albums with this title”, recorded a decade earlier. The album presents fifteen tracks, mostly original compositions by Kocinski except one standard, one traditional melody and one composition by Swies. Kocinski is definitely one of my favorite Polish Jazz Artists, and although he appears as a sideman on some albums from time to time, the fact that we were destined to wait for so long for his next solo album is a great pity, especially in view of his talent. This album offers an up-to-date sonic ambience, with Kocinski playing the EWI and utilizing some electronic layers, and the concise, mostly relatively short tracks, with a strong electric bass upbeat and dynamic drumming. This trio goes back almost twenty years as a three-fourth of the fabulous Soundcheck quartet, and their telepathic communication is absolutely phenomenal, which enables them to achieve a maximal result from the difficult saxophone trio setting. As usual with Kocinski’s music, it is very expressive and stimulating, always telling a story, which of course can be freely interpreted by every listener. Although melody based, the music offers advanced freely improvised passages, with Kocinski displaying his excellent technique and imagination, which never ceases to amaze. Despite the fact that these musical “stories” are relatively short, they are deeply absorbing and offer a first class musical experience from start to finish, seamlessly and excitingly performed by the trio. It is plainly obvious that Kocinski is a mature, fully developed Artist, who needs to prove nothing anymore, and can concentrate on what is important rather than build up camouflage. This album is simply a concentrated, wholehearted musical delivery. Overall, this is a beautiful, deeply moving Jazz album, elegant in its minimalism and full of touching, lyrical melodies. Hopefully we won’t be exposed to such extended period of silence until the next album by Kocinski comes around, and in the meantime we can enjoy this little gem of an album to the max.

Updated: 06/01/2023Posted: 06/01/2023

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PRZEMEK DYAKOWSKI ~ LUDMILA ALLEGRO 047 (Barcode: 5901157049476) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Przemek DyakowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a sextet setting with saxophonist Wojciech StaroniewiczFind albums by this artist, organist Artur JurekFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz MackiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Maksymilian KreftFind albums by this artist, and featuring the vocalist Joanna KnitterFind albums by this artist. The album is a tribute to the Polish vocalist Ludmila JakubczakFind albums by this artist, who died tragically in 1961, being just twenty-two years old, and presents Jazzed up interpretations of songs from her repertoire. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz / Swing idiom, perfectly executed by this excellent and highly experienced team. Knitter also delivers her usual soulful and warm vocals, which are always great fun to hear without being a tad pretentious. The main purpose of this album is to bring back some first class songs created by best Polish composers and lyricist at the time, which lost nothing of their charm and quality over time, emphasizing the old saying that “they don’t write songs like this anymore”, which is sadly more and more truthful as the time flows by. Overall, this is a nice, pleasant and somewhat educationally nostalgic album by a first class group of Polish Jazz musicians, which is a great fun to experience and reminiscence about the good old days. Warmly recommended to listeners who like their Jazz to Swing ;)

Updated: 10/08/2023Posted: 10/08/2023

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BUNCH OF CHAIRS ORCHESTRA ~ BUNCH OF CHAIRS ALLEGRO 050 (Barcode: 5901157049506) ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the debut album by Polish ensemble Bunch Of Chairs OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which is basically a core string quartet comprising of violinists Malgorzata MuszynskaFind albums by this artist and Nelly GutowskaFind albums by this artist, violist Justyna JaniszewskaFind albums by this artist and cellist Malgorzata MasluszczakFind albums by this artist, and eight additional instrumentalists playing on selected tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, all original compositions, six by Masluszczak, four by Janiszewska and one by Neil FornalikFind albums by this artist, who is the ensemble’s guitarist and primary soloist. The music is a set of melodic themes, tastefully arranged for the ensemble, offering a wide stylistic range with a strong Jazz atmosphere on the very entertaining side of the genre. It could be as well considered background cinematic music and for a lack of a better definition I’d put it under the Smooth Jazz label, without any intention to undermine its aesthetic value. The compositions are all coherent and pleasant, the arrangements intelligent and the performances excellent, and I am sure many listeners might enjoy this music without any reservations. Overall, although not my cup of tea exactly, this is a tight, elegant production of entertaining music, which listeners from the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum might enjoy, without destroying their grey cells.

Updated: 14/08/2024Posted: 14/08/2024

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