Record Reviews

FLEETING MONUMENT ~ LIVE POLSKIE RADIO KATOWICE 149 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is the debut album by a young Polish Jazz quintet Fleeting MonumentFind albums by this artist, comprising of saxophonist Martyna BieszczadFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Filip KrauzFind albums by this artist, pianist Gabriel AntoniakFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakub KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Mateusz OzgaFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks (all original compositions but authors are not specified?). The album recording is a prize the quintet received after winning a competition for young Jazz ensembles. Both the level of the performances and the compositions is absolutely stunning, and clearly reflects the incredibly high level of Polish Jazz, which manages to rejuvenate its ranks constantly with young talents, thanks to the highly active educational institutions. Clearly well-grounded in the contemporary mainstream Jazz genre, the music is based on beautiful melodic compositions, which are coherent, constantly shifting tempi and themes and performed with obvious youthful energy, exploding with vigor and joy of playing. Quite surprisingly, this is one of the best Polish Jazz albums released in 2025, and despite its naivety and stylistic hesitance, simply explodes with creativity and talent, which leaves many of the local scene veterans far behind. These musicians are hungry for success, and ferociously gifted. Overall, it is a superb modern Jazz album in every respect, and a phenomenal debut, which immediately rises both hopes and fears for the quintet’s future. Personally, I wish them all the best and keep my finger crossed!

Updated: 04/04/2026Posted: 04/04/2026

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PAWEL KRAWIEC TRIO ~ BRAWURA SJ 079 (Barcode: 5905489720812) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 2nd album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Pawel KrawiecFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a trio setting with bassist Jakub KozlowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Gabriel AntoniakFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, six of which are original composition by Krawiec and three are standards. Composition credits and details about recording date and place are absent from the album’s artwork. Krawiec has quite a unique musical approach, which blends elements of modern Jazz, Fusion and even Rock origins, and offers an overwhelming density of notes and chords. The album’s title (“Bravura” in English), aptly describes what is happening, and indeed applies to the extraordinary technical skills of Krawiec as a guitar player. But of course an excess of technical skills can be also harmful, but luckily Krawiec manages to avoid it elegantly. His treatment of the standards proves his respect towards the Jazz tradition, and some of the classic Jazz guitar masters. The rhythm section deserves a special credit for standing shoulder to shoulder with such dominant soloist, and they truly support him amicably, displaying their own skills whenever appropriate. This album is quite different from the debut, which included an excellent trumpeter, who naturally influenced the outcome, and to some extent dominated the proceedings. Therefore, for guitar lovers, this album is much more “straight to the point”, and should leave no listener untouched. There is definitely a bright future ahead for Krawiec and hopefully he will manage to stay on the right path, as guitar players often tend to lose control of their track, and pursuit of stardom. Overall, this is a wonderful album, full of superb performances by the trio and some extraordinary guitar licks, which should be exciting even to veteran Jazz guitar devotees. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 17/01/2025Posted: 17/01/2025

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