Record Reviews

HILARIOUS DISASTERS ~ UNNATURAL ROOT AUDIO CAVE 2025/010 (Barcode: 5908451336103) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the debut album by the ensemble Hilarious DisastersFind albums by this artist, led by Ukrainian (resident in Poland) pianist / composer Kateryna ZiabliukFind albums by this artist, which also includes saxophonist Alex ClovFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Alex Clov BaczkowskiFind albums by this artist), flautist / saxophonist Lukasz JankowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip BotorFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr SzalajkoFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live at the BMC in Budapest and presents eleven tracks, all of which are original compositions by Ziabliuk or her arrangements of traditional Ukrainian folk songs. Ziabliuk has been very active on the Polish Jazz scene in 2025, releasing no less than three albums (all recorded in 2024), with O.N.E.Find albums by this artist, Zygmunt Pauker TrioFind albums by this artist and this one, as well as several digital only releases, which reflect her versatility and creativity, and add an undeniable whiff of fresh air. The music is strongly influenced by Folkloristic motifs, which then develop into highly improvised passages, bordering on Free and Improvised Music, but staying firmly within a “well behaved” borders. The rhythm section, and especially the bassist, keeps the music firmly on track, and although I never heard about these two musicians earlier on, they perform splendidly. The saxophonist and flautist are slightly more familiar, but still relatively unknown, and again they manage to create a solid, and highly interesting improvisations alongside the leader and splendid unisono background parts, all in perfect ensemble spirit. The live ambience suits the music ideally and although the live recording sound quality is not ideal, it adds to the ambience and general feel of the entire performance, which is truly captivating. I am looking forward to a studio recording by this ensemble. Overall, this is an unusual and quite uplifting album, which challenges the listener and yet manages to retain his attention for the entire duration. It seems that Ziabliuk, in addition to her talent as a pianist and composer, has also a rare gift to find great partners in crime, who stand along her side faithfully and together create fascinating, fresh, challenging and beautiful music. Hats off, again, my Lady!

Updated: 13/03/2026Posted: 13/03/2026

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