Record Reviews

MACIEJ KADZIELA ~ THE TASTE OF THE WORLD MULTICULTI MPJ 014 (Barcode: 5907796319796) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the second album by young Polish Jazz saxophonist Maciej KadzielaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist and Swedish rhythm section: bassist Johannes VahtFind albums by this artist and drummer Olle DernevikFind albums by this artist. Polish saxophonist Grzech PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The quartet was formed in Copenhagen, where these musicians studied together at the local Music Academy and summarizes Kadziela´s experiences during his stay in Denmark. The album presents ten original compositions, all by the leader. The album immediately strikes the listener as a mature and serious offering, which presents Kadziela playing with remarkable fluidity and confidence, completely uncommon among Jazz musicians of his age group. The rest of the quartet members stand shoulder to shoulder with the leader, supporting him amicably and intelligently all the way through. Beautifully lyrical piano by Tuznik, solid and virtuosic bass layer keeping the music on solid ground at all times by Vaht and explosive but always at the right measure percussive ornamentation by Dernevik are an excellent examples of what team work is all about. The music is typical modern European Jazz, dancing elegantly on the verge of mainstream melodic lines and free vistas, creating a wonderful tension and keeping the listener on edge throughout the entire duration of the album. The melodic layer tends to be filled with typical Polish melancholy, but the energetic performances by the musicians save it from being overtly lethargic. Some Scandinavian elements are also clearly audible, which of course makes perfect sense considering the quartet´s lineup and common history. Some references to the compositions of Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist and the playing of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist are inevitable, but those are subtle and Kadziela will soon find his very own original voice as a composer and saxophonist. Overall this is a most impressive album, full of wonderful playing, searching and experimenting, as appropriate for Jazz. Definitely one of the best Polish Jazz releases so far in 2016, and beyond. Hopefully more of such splendid music will follow suit in not too distant future. I can´t wait already!

Updated: 26/10/2016Posted: 23/09/2016

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KARLIS AUZINS ~ IMAGES IN REGARD OF THE CENTRAL REFERENCE SYSTEM NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5707471046197) ~ LATVIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by Latvian saxophonist / composer Karlis AuzinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a quartet which also includes Polish pianist Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Joel IllerhagFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Jakob HoyerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Auzins. The music is characteristic of the modern contemporary European Jazz, based on folkloristic themes and lyrical melodies, but also allowing a lot of space for improvisation and personal explorations by the quartet members. At times the music moves away from the melodic layer and ventures into Free improvisations, but usually just for relatively limited spans, which allows less experienced listeners to remain in focus and pick up the melody later on. Auzins emerges as a surprisingly mature improviser, who is able to play a solo soprano saxophone piece lasting for almost five minutes without a hitch, with outstanding virtuosity and imagination. But his performances with the quartet are also superb and he manages to create a unique sound, which is extremely rare these days. He also plays some amazing unisono parts with the piano and the bowed bass. Tuznik also plays wonderfully, both as a soloist and accompanist, exchanging intricate notes with Auzins during their many duet statements as well as stretching out during his solos. The rhythm section, which on this album stays mostly in the background, hidden beneath the intensity of the saxophone / piano front line, contributes its valuable parts when allowed to do so and as expected does it admirably. This ability to step aside is most appreciated and does not diminish the status of the rhythm section at all. The music simply organically opens up for a rhythm section contribution whenever those are appropriate. The music definitely belongs to the Scandinavian or rather Baltic tonality, with most of the tunes being low key and low tempo, and contemplation and slow progression are the key ingredients. The fact that the quartet comprises of young musicians from four different countries is the decisive proof that European Jazz is enjoying and incredible renaissance and a new generation of highly talented musicians is emerging, blessed by sublime talents. This is definitely a most impressive debut recording, which emotionally reminds me of the moments in 1960s when Jazz first broke its ties with bebop tradition and moved into a new epoch. Now, five decades later, this beloved music of ours is still making giant steps into the unknown. Hats off, young Lions!

Updated: 17/06/2016Posted: 17/06/2016

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MAREK KONARSKI ~ KONARSKI & FOLKS NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5904067067905) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Marek KonarskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, bassist Damian KostkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Kuba GudzFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Ania RybackaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Konarski and two are his arrangements of Polish Folk songs. Konarski spent several years studying and playing in Denmark and Finland and upon his return to Poland he formed this quartet with musicians he met over the years, all of which are by now experienced representatives of the young Polish Jazz scene. The music is all well within the strict Jazz mainstream idiom, with some Folkloristic influences. As expected, it is highly melodic and offers beautiful themes, which ideally suit Konarski’s saxophone performances, which feature a wonderful sweet, soulful tone. The rhythm section supports the leader superbly, with Tuznik excellent piano playing supplying the continuity and flow that keeps the music tightly together. I find Konarski’s treatment of the Polish Folklore motives rather dated, to be honest, somewhat similar to what Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist already perfected over five decades earlier, and many other Polish Jazz musicians handled way more successfully and innovatively over the, but of course it still has a lot of charm. Overall this is a very pleasant and wonderfully performed Jazz album, with excellent playing by all the participants and a wide appeal to Jazz listeners across the entire range of the genre. It firmly proves the strength of the local scene and is definitely worth to be explored.

Updated: 14/05/2021Posted: 14/05/2021

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SPACE ABOVE ~ THE SPACE ABOVE NOT ON LABEL 2101 (Barcode: 5707471078686) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 - 2020 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by an international (resident in Copenhagen) trio called The Space AboveFind albums by this artist, comprising of Polish pianist / composer Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, Bolivian flautist Flavia HuarachiFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Simon Olderskog AlbertsenFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine pieces, which include two three-part suites composed by Tuznik, two interpretations of Classical compositions and one piece co-composed by all the members of the trio. The music is very close to Classical chamber music and has very little to do with Jazz per se, although some improvised parts are present. Dominated by the charming sound of the flute, it has a distinct Early Classical music tinge, and floats gently with little variation in tempi or moods and limited dynamics during the first half of the album. By the time the album gets to the second suite, which gives the album its title, the music shows much more vitality and variety, displaying more proximity to contemporary Chamber Music. By the time the album reaches the final, improvised track, the full potential of the trio is disclosed and one wishes that the entire album was like the last track. But perhaps this is just a teaser of things to come? Overall, this album requires more than one listening session to fully absorb its unique atmosphere, but the result is definitely worth waiting for. Completely avoiding clear stylistic / genre classification, this is a very interesting conglomerate of diverse influences, which creates a new and interesting approach and produces highly absorbing music. Absolutely worth being discovered!

Updated: 23/10/2021Posted: 23/10/2021

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ARTUR TUZNIK ~ ARTUR TUZNIK TRIO MULTIKULTI MPJ 019 (Barcode: 5907796319857) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is a debut album as a leader by young Polish (resident in Copenhagen) pianist / composer Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio format which also includes two Danish musicians: bassist Nils Bo DavidsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jakob HoyerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original composition by Tuznik. The album was recorded at the excellent RecPublica Studios and offers excellent sound quality. The music presents a remarkably mature set of compositions, which although based on melodic themes, are beautifully open and unrestrained. It is pretty amazing to find such young musicians playing in such challenging musical environment and of course this album immediately sets an example to a whole generation of young pianists, which clearly points towards what can be achieved and what should be played, even at the very early stages of a Jazz career. For Polish music connoisseurs and aficionados the challenge here is to discover the hidden clues of the influence of Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist on this music. Tuznik is an outstanding piano player, a fact that becomes clear after just a few notes. His self-confidence and imagination take over the music and lead it securely towards an open-minded expressionism, full of lyricism and emotion regardless of the free form and uneven rhythmic patterns. Of course every piano trio is only as good as its members and Tuznik definitely found ideal partners herein, who are willing to share his openness and exploration based modus operandi, improvising together without giving up their individuality. This trio is definitely way beyond the concept of a piano and a rhythm section – it is a fully organic ensemble which creates music symbiotically. I suppose such music making is only possible in Europe, where the minds of the young Jazz musicians have not been mercilessly blunted by overexposure to American mainstream, which completely smothers individuality and progress. Such wonderful creativity and forward-thinking as present on this album is an antidote to everything the American Jazz tradition is trying desperately to cling to. This is definitely one of the most impressive Polish Jazz recordings of 2016 and a stunning debut effort in every respect. One can only wish that more young musicians will follow the path set by this album, which will make true music lovers exceedingly happy. It is a rare combination of talent, vision and the courage to stand behind ones choices and decisions, which again points out the maturity of the musicians involved. Polish Jazz is not only alive and kicking, but slowly starts to spread all over Europe and get incorporated into the new fabric of young European Jazz, which bridges Warsaw, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo and other European cities where young European music students are brewing the Jazz we will enjoy in the years to come. Hats off!

Updated: 10/10/2016Posted: 10/10/2016

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ZAWARTKO / PIASECKI ~ LEC GLOSIE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz duo comprising of vocalist Magdalena ZawartkoFind albums by this artist and bassist Grzegorz PiaseckiFind albums by this artist, recorded with other top Polish Jazz musicians: trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz WendtFind albums by this artist, pianist Artur TuznikFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek KadzielaFind albums by this artist, drummer Wojciech BulinskiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jose TorresFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight compositions (one repeated twice as intro and outro) which include Classical and Folklore pieces and two original compositions, one each by Zawartko and Piasecki, also inspired by external sources. The concept behind the music is the amalgamation of Folklore and Classical Music with Jazz, which of course has been already attempted numerous times before, but in this case the selection of the music, the arrangements and the entire production of the project, which were entirely in the hands of the duo, as well as the superb execution of the music by the excellent team generate a wonderful and entirely successful outcome. Zawartko sings occasional lyrics but mostly uses vocalese and her voice is by and large used as another instrument within the instrumental environment. Piasecki plays brilliant bass parts and naturally gets more exposure than bassists usually get in ensemble projects. The rest of the instrumentalists, mostly veterans of the scene, perform accordingly, without a hitch. Overall this is an excellent piece of music from start to finish, intelligent, elegant and highly sensitive, tastefully conceived and brilliantly executed, in accordance to the usual high standards of the Polish Jazz scene. I have no idea why this album landed on my desk years after it was released, but better late than never. Highly recommended!

Updated: 25/05/2019Posted: 25/05/2019

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