Record Reviews

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / VIENNESE CONNECTIONS ~ VIENNA SUITE L.A.S. 001 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish Jazz trumpeter Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with Polish (resident in Vienna) saxophonist Krzysztof KasprzykFind albums by this artist, Austrian bassist Thomas StempkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer / producer / sound engineer Alex YannilosFind albums by this artist (hence the title). The album presents ten original compositions, all by Damasiewicz, which include four suites (one in two parts) separated by short introduction, interludes and coda. The album is the first release on a new label called L.A.S. (listening and sounding). The music is typical Free Jazz, based on sketchy melodic themes, which are improvised upon by the quartet, a formula which did not change much since the 1960s, causing the music to sound as if it was recorded then rather than today. Such approach was revolutionary at the time and had its charm, but sadly today sounds rather dated and déjà vu. In addition the drumming is way to dominant and heavy, the bass monotonous and the saxophone lackluster, which leaves the trumpet sort of alone in the field not able to save the day. Personally I found very little pleasure or excitement in listening to this music, despite my respect towards Damasiewicz as a player and Polish Jazz Avant-Garde activist, for which he deserves only praise. Of course this is strictly my opinion and others might enjoy this music in full. Damasiewicz recorded several exciting albums for Polish labels over the last decade, but Vienna, as beautiful City as it is, did not serve him well this time IMHO.

Updated: 15/12/2021Posted: 24/12/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / INTO THE ROOTS ~ SPIWLE L.A.S. 002 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with bassist Zbigniew KozeraFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel SzpuraFind albums by this artist. Bagpipe player Jan RytFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents six original compositions, all by Damasiewicz. The music was recorded live in a remote village in Polish Beskid Mountains, but the sound is wonderfully clear and authentic. There is some confusion between the running order of the tunes on the album’s artwork, but this is a minor issue. Damasiewicz managed to establish a position for himself on the local scene as one of the leading Improvised Music / Free Jazz activists and recorded several important albums over time, which for me personally are quite a mixed bag. However, this album immediately proved to be my favorite Damasiewicz album so far. Perhaps the immediacy and intimacy of this recording are more appealing to me than his large ensemble works and other recordings, where he probably tried to say too much. The album’s title is definitely very appropriate as far as this music is concerned, as it really goes back to the roots. The question which roots is not really relevant, as this music goes back to perhaps the very deepest roots of music itself, with primitive, repetitive and enthralling rhythmic patterns, which were best preserved in African music and from there arrived into Jazz. Perhaps there are also Polish roots here, inspired by the mountains and Folklore traditions surrounding this recording. Damasiewicz manages to incorporate all these elements into highly effective and mesmerizing, hypnotizing music. His trumpet improvisations on top of the steady rhythmic patterns sound more honest, revealing and moving than ever before, at least for me. The music is somewhat reminiscent to the early attempts to create Jazz-World Fusion by the great pioneers of Jazz, obviously sound-wise closest to the recordings by Don CherryFind albums by this artist. By following that path Damasiewicz finds the best of himself in the minimalist trio setting, with his trumpet playing being the clear focus of the entire journey. Strangely, or perhaps not, this is also the most coherent and melodic album he recorded so far, perhaps unintentionally, but undoubtedly highly effective. Overall this is a wonderful album from start to finish, accessible to a much wider audience than earlier albums by Damasiewicz, and despite its seeming simplicity, his most effective contact with his listeners ever. Beautiful and challenging don’t have to be a contrasting, as this album clearly shows. This music makes you want to dance! Well done!

Updated: 15/12/2021Posted: 19/03/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / INTO THE ROOTS ~ WATRA L.A.S. 004 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the second album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist and his Into The RootsFind albums by this artist trio, which also includes bassist Zbigniew KozeraFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel SzpuraFind albums by this artist. The album, which was recorded live, includes also Folklore musicians from the Krzeszowiak and Ryt families, who live in the Beskid Mountains. The album presents eight tracks with the music mostly co-composed by the trio members, but also incorporating local Folklore songs. The atmosphere and the music are absolutely magical, almost meditational, with the slow tempo and gradual development, traversing between the original compositions and the Folkloristic motifs completely naturally and harmoniously. The strong bass pulsations, which are the unique trademark of this music, seem to be absolutely perfect for this environment, although they have more roots in North African Atlas Mountains than in the Carpathian Mountains, proving once again that music is universal. Damasiewicz is playing trumpet relatively sparingly on this album, improvising freely even less frequently, using harmonium and his voice, as well as the role of the spiritual shaman of these proceedings, which seem to be no less effective. It seems that after many years of trying to find himself in Improvised Music, he finally found himself one with Nature and Folklore and Spirituality on local soil. Overall, this music is way too Spiritual to be describe in words, and listening is the only way to enter its realm, which I of course wholeheartedly recommend. Seeing Damasiewicz being transformed form an Angry Giant into a Gentle Giant gives me a lot of pleasure. Personally I find this to be one of the most rewarding, unusual and aesthetically pleasing releases of 2021, even if it has only marginal ties to Jazz per se. I hope Piotr that you are as happy as you sound playing this music ;)

Updated: 15/12/2021Posted: 15/12/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / KUBA WOJCIK ~ DIAVOLEZZA L.A.S. 005 ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 During the last decade or so Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer / activist Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist managed to amass a considerable volume of recorded music as well as highly-spirited activism, which puts him firmly in the epicenter of the Polish Avant-Garde / Improvised Music / Free Jazz scene. A restless traveler, social adventurer and highly spiritual person, who uses music to reflect his nature and connect with other musicians with similar inclinations. Kuba WojcikFind albums by this artist, a more recent arrival on the Polish Jazz scene, also managed to stir an interest with his Mad ShipFind albums by this artist and Minim ExperimentFind albums by this artist / MinimFind albums by this artist ensembles. This album finds the two musicians improvising in a duo setting in the seclusion of the Swiss Alps, captured during their “Uncool” Artist Residency, inspired by the surroundings and local legends. The album offers just two lengthy pieces, both almost half an hour in duration. Damasiewicz, in addition to his trumpet, plays also harmonium and percussion and vocalizes, and Wojcik, in addition to his guitar, is also in charge of the electronic sound effects. Alicja ChmielewskaFind albums by this artist adds some spoken word parts. The album was released on the L.A.S.Find albums on this label record label, owned by Damasiewcz. The music, or rather the sound sculptures, created by the duo, are highly spiritual, contemplative and meditative, offering a continuous flow of sounds, which offer a minimal variance over time, with a hypnotic effect. Damasiewicz offers impressive vocalese parts, which fit the spirit of the music candidly, in addition to his trumpet playing, which sounds somewhat like the alpine horn, fitting the location. Wojcik creates a solid “wall of sound” effect with his guitar and the electronic background. There is no melody as such or harmonic development in these meditations, but the overall effect is fascinating and engulfing, as long as the listener if willingly submitting to this aural communication. This is undoubtedly the furthest excursion beyond the Jazz idiom undertaken by these two musicians, which of course is perfectly legitimate as far as their inner development is concerned. Breaking barriers, even if done transcendentally rather than implicitly, is always challenging and interesting. Overall, this is a very unusual, even unique experiment by two highly talented musicians, which offers an alternative to the noise and extreme extroversion, which characterizes contemporary music. Obviously not for everybody, but still a highly Artistic and aesthetic piece of originality, for those able to appreciate it. Well done, you fearless champions!

Updated: 01/12/2022Posted: 01/12/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GRZEGORZ LESIAK ESSENCE / PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ ~ ON THE WAY L.A.S. 006 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album recorded live by the trio EssenceFind albums by this artist, led by Polish guitarist Grzegorz LesiakFind albums by this artist with Spanish bassist Alex ReviriegoFind albums by this artist and drummer Vasco TrillaFind albums by this artist, which was expanded to a quartet with the addition of Polish trumpeter Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks and was released on the L.A.S.Find albums on this label label, owned by Damasiewicz. The music is completely improvised and offers a sonic / atmospheric experience, excluding any conventional melodic continuity, which of course is not unusual for Improvised Music. However, for listeners familiar with such intense sound explorations, it proves to be highly fascinating. The musicians utilize unconventional approach to their instruments, which often sound completely not as they are “supposed” to sound, especially so in case of Lesiak and Damasiewicz, who also adds some vocal layers. For Damasiewicz this recording is a step aside from his “back to nature” sonic excursions, which he developed in the last few years, taking him back to his Free Jazz / Improvised Music period from a decade or so ago, but with a much more introvert and intimate approach, with the “less is more” attitude in the helm. Lesiak is the biggest surprise herein, leaving the role of the Fusion guitarist and leader of the excellent TatvamasiFind albums by this artist ensemble if favor of this highly improvisational environment, although early signs of the forthcoming transformation were already evident on the last (so far) album by the ensemble “The Third Ear MusicFind albums with this title”. Overall, this is a fascinating piece of Improvised Music, strictly for the connoisseurs of the idiom, but full of great ensemble playing and striking individual contributions by all four participants. This is “something else” by every standard, and fearless explorers of the sound space are wholeheartedly invited to take a plunge!

Updated: 10/09/2023Posted: 10/09/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAMASIEWICZ / VILLAVECCHIA / LESIAK / REVIRIEGO / TRILLA ~ SKAWA L.A.S. 007 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album recorded by the Polish / Spanish quintet comprising of Polish Jazz / Improvising Music trumpeter Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist and guitarist Grzegorz LesiakFind albums by this artist and Spanish saxophonist Liba VillavecchiaFind albums by this artist, bassist Alex ReviriegoFind albums by this artist and drummer Vasco TrillaFind albums by this artist. The album presents three lengthy tracks composed by Damasiewicz and was released on the L.A.S.Find albums on this label label, owned by him. The music, which was recorded in a country house in the Polish Beskid mountains, is a direct continuation of the album “On The WayFind albums with this title”, which was created by four of the musicians present here, who were joined by Villavecchia. The Polish / Catalan musical cooperation seems to be exceptionally fruitful in recent years. The compositions, or rather “impressions”, as described by Damasiewicz, are vehicles for the quintet members to create sonic structures, which are of course freely, but completely coherently improvised. The overall approach takes Damasiewicz a decade back in time to his Improvised Music explorations, but the period he dedicated to explorations of more spiritual and ethnic sources certainly left a mark, significantly influencing his trumpet playing, which became reflective and introvert, in comparison to his early work. All five instrumentalists are very accomplished musicians, who have already left a mark on the European Improvised Music scene, and their cooperation here is a reflection not only of their respective abilities, but also the friendship and respect they share together. Overall, this is another document of the position Damasiewicz holds as a central instigator of musical cooperation, which is always very productive and inspiring, even if directed towards relatively limited audiences, a circle which he manages to expand with time. As usual, this music is demanding, but at the same time richly rewarding to those ready to make an effort!

Updated: 18/09/2023Posted: 18/09/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / KUBA WOJCIK ~ KREW L.A.S. 008 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the second album by the Polish Jazz / Improvised Music duo of trumpeter Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist and guitarist / electronics manipulator Kuba WojcikFind albums by this artist. The album presents three tracks, two of which are over sixteen minutes in duration and one is a brief one and half minute piece. The album is dedicated to blood donation and treatment, hence the title. With the establishment of his L.A.S.Find albums on this label label Damasiewicz firmly established his vocation and musical direction, which combines Improvised Music / Ambient soundscapes / Folkloristic traditions in a most unique way. I became almost immediately hooked on his new expressionism, which presents his trumpet playing emerging from the electronic background like sun storms erupting from the star’s surface, and which despite its total abstractionism simply makes perfect sense to me. This album continues these modus operandi and manages to create some of the most profound contemplative music I ever encountered. Obviously the total lack of melodic continuity and harmonic support might create a barrier, which many listeners will probably not be able to cross, but those who manage to do so, should expect deeply emotional sonic rewards. This is total abstract, but so are many other Art forms that I love and so is often also philosophy and even theoretical physics and advanced mathematics, all of which are equally fascinating to me. Is this music at all? Who cares? It is a collection of sound waves, which speak to me as brightly as other forms of sonic communication, including music. That is all that matters. However, I do realize this sonic sorcery is definitely not for everyone, and that is great as well. Overall, this is a deeply moving sonic experience, which demands patience, open-mindedness, tolerance and above all love of sound and an open heart. Ideal music for time travel, when that comes around any time soon ;)

Updated: 05/12/2023Posted: 04/12/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PIOTR DAMASIEWICZ / INTO THE ROOTS ~ SWITANIE L.A.S. 009 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the 3rd album by Polish trumpeter / composer Piotr DamasiewiczFind albums by this artist and his Into The RootsFind albums by this artist ensemble, which was expanded from the usual trio format with bassist Zbigniew KozeraFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel SzpuraFind albums by this artist into a tentet, which includes bagpipes player Marek RytFind albums by this artist, woodwinds player Michal ZakFind albums by this artist, violist Krzysztof RytFind albums by this artist, koto player Katarzyna KarpowiczFind albums by this artist, vocalist / violinist Karolina KazmierczakFind albums by this artist and two vocalists Alicja KrzeszowiakFind albums by this artist and Kamila KrzeszowiakFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, five co-credited to Damasiewicz, Kozera and Szpura and two also add credit to Karpowicz. Damasiewicz and his cohorts stick to the formula of the previous two albums, which creates a magical amalgam between the Folklore of the Polish Beskid Mountains and the Carpathians, expanded by other World Music elements on this album, and Jazz improvisation. The result is always enthralling and keeps the listener on edge for the entire duration. Damasiewicz trumpet virtuosity is present herein, albeit less prominently, adding the proverbial cherry on the cake, but personally I can never get enough of it, hoping he will record more Jazz oriented material again in the future. I understand the tendency to stay close to one’s familiar roots and fully enjoy this music as well of course. The album’s duration, slightly under forty minutes, seems somewhat short, but considering the amount of spiritual tension and condensed musical delivery, there is plenty of highly enjoyable content here, for everybody to cherish. Overall, this is another excellent production by Damasiewicz and his cohorts, which offers convincing, heartfelt musical journey through World Music influenced aura adorned by Jazz improvisations of the finest quality. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 30/12/2024Posted: 30/12/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend