Record Reviews

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

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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

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