Record Reviews

DAWID LUBOWICZ ~ INSIDE ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT FOUNDATION 5 (Barcode: 5907222048054) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the eagerly awaited and highly anticipated debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist, primarily known as a member of the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist (who also plays flute and accordion), bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz ZytaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Jacek KotlarskiFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Tomasz KalwakFind albums by this artist guest each on one tune. The album presents nine compositions, eight of which are originals by Lubowicz and one is by Polish Classical composer Karol SzymanowskiFind albums by this artist. Musically the album is quite surprising, especially in view of extensive recorded legacy Lubowicz created with Atom String Quartet and other projects. The compositions are all exquisitely melodic, melancholic and delicate, seemingly "simple" in their scope, leaving the complexity to be expressed via the performance layer rather than making the music less communicative. Such honesty and straightforwardness is an extremely rare quality among Jazz composers these days, which mostly adhere to the notion that music has to impress by its "cleverness" and "intricacy", neglecting the "simple is beautiful" ideal, which Lubowicz is able to bring to perfection herein. Another significant aspect of this music is its strong connection, almost umbilical, to Polish Folklore, and especially to the music of the Polish Highlanders, which is of course native land of Lubowicz. The ties to folkloristic themes are quite subtle at times and need a trained ear to be recognized, but they are preset almost continually as part of the aesthetic climate this album offers. The inclusion of the Szymanowski composition also refers to the composer´s fascination with the music of the Highlanders. The decision to use Herdzin as part of the team might seem surprising at first, as Herdzin is rarely used as a sideman these days and his role is usually much more dominant. But in retrospect Lubowicz made the ideal decision, as Herdzin has very few equals when playing "pretty" is in order. He is a master of sweetness and romanticism and his work on this album is simply perfect in every respect. Kubiszyn is a Master and every album he is on is blessed by his presence. His acoustic bass pulsations and fretless solos are all breathtaking. Zyta is the metronome man, always ideally on time and with the right intensity, even if he is playing just in a duet setting with Lubowicz. Kalwak transforms the single tune he is on into a gleaming magic pearl, full of sensitivity and intrinsic beauty, using his unique "touch". And Lubowicz? Oh well Lubowicz is a Monster, a quiet, gentle Monster, mind you, but a true virtuoso, who plays music rather than showing his chops, always elegant, stylish and graceful, creating an irresistible urge to embrace everything that his vibrating strings are able to create. Overall this is a most impressive debut album and the only regret about it is that we had to wait for it for so long. But now, that it is finally out there, don´t hesitate and grab it ASAP and I guarantee you won´t regret it. The album is exquisitely packaged and offers a superb sonic quality, which should make the decision to get a copy even easier. The album was released by the Zbigniew Seifert FoundationFind albums on this label, run by the unwearied Aneta NorekFind albums by this artist, who deserves our gratitude for keeping the Polish Jazz violin tradition flourishing.

Updated: 22/06/2018Posted: 22/06/2018

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KUBA STANKIEWICZ ~ KOCHANOWSKI PIESNI KSQ 002 (Barcode: 5903796604009) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Kuba StankiewiczFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quartet setting with saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech PulcynFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs composed by Stankiewicz and sung by vocalist Jacek KotlarskiFind albums by this artist, which feature poems by Polish Renaissance (16th Century) poet Jan KochanowskiFind albums by this artist, who is considered the Godfather of Polish Poetry and modern Polish language. Stankiewicz undertakes a highly risky task in his attempt to write contemporary music to the poems by Kochanowski, which was attempted by Polish composers many times before with radically different results, especially so when this attempt is to be within the Jazz idiom. I must say that although I know Stankiewicz since many years, he managed to knock my socks off, as the music he managed to create here is simply sensational, both in its beauty and incredible sensitivity to the subject matter. It combines the best of the Jazz tradition, all sounding like a collection of wonderful standards that the listener is somehow familiar with, despite the fact that they appear here for the first time. He also uses the core of Polish folkloristic themes, that every Polish composer is unable to avoid, and which bring the music closer to its literary / linguistic source. And yes, Stankiewicz is the greatest contemporary Polish romantic composer, which is plainly apparent on this album. The rest of the team are all seasoned veterans, who play with Stankiewicz since many years and are all top Polish Jazz figures, which guarantees the spectacular result achieved here. Kotlarski is also an excellent choice, fitting like a satin glove to this project. His extensive stage experience comes handy and his performances here are simply perfect. During my recent visit in Warsaw, stuck between the returning Covid-19 waves, Kuba was one of the very few people we managed to meet and spend a lovely evening with, which is always a great experience. His charming personality and true friendship, as well as mutual respect that we share towards each other, are a rare treasure. He gave me this and one more album (which will be reviewed soon) and I had no idea how superb this music is going to be, so now is the time to thank him. Overall, this is an exceptional Jazz & Poetry album, one of the best of its kind that appeared on the Polish scene in many years. I simply can’t imagine any Polish Jazz lover and poetry lover not to grab a copy of this album instantly, especially in these dark days of sickness and despair. This is a true out-of-body experience! Thank you, my Friend, for sharing your talent with us – you make the reality easier to bear.

Updated: 20/11/2021Posted: 20/11/2021

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