Record Reviews

TOMASZ DABROWSKI ~ TOMASZ DABROWSKI & THE INDIVIDUAL BEINGS APRIL 093 (Barcode: 5709498109329) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Polish (resident in Denmark) trumpeter / composer Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and his new septet called Individual BeingsFind albums by this artist, which also includes Danish saxophonist Fredrik LundinFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Knut FinsrudFind albums by this artist and Polish saxophonist Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, pianist Grzegorz TarwidFind albums by this artist, bassist Max MuchaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jan MlynarskiFind albums by this artist. Several members of the septet utilize also electronic. The album presents eight tracks, all by the leader. The music is a brilliant example of modern European Jazz, which borders on Avant-Garde, and witch beautifully combines tradition with modernism, melody with freedom and diverse rhythmic approaches, creating a hypnotic journey through the listener’s mind. Dabrowski plays homage to the iconic Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist on several layers, playing on an instrument that belonged to him, coining the name of the ensemble from a Stanko quote from his biography, but most importantly by being inspired by Stanko’s approach to Jazz composition in his most interesting period between 1970s and 1990s. The septet members are all highly experienced musicians with impressive individual careers under their belts, which of course enables a high density of imagination and expression, which the septet is able to use while creating this music. The constantly changing dialogues and individual soloing are all superbly weaved and the music engulfs the listener completely. The double drums provide the possibility of polyrhythmic time scales and multifocal pulsations, which are highly unusual and fascinating. Although everything Dabrowski recorded in the last ten years or so since he arrived on the scene – an astounding number of forty albums as a leader / co-leader and sideman – he still manages to innovate and reinvent himself time after time, constantly pushing the boundaries. He always seems to be able to inspire his fellow musicians to follow him in his quests. Overall, this is a stunning, highly unusual album full of wonderful music, atmospheric tension and beautiful aesthetics, which hold the listener mesmerized for the duration. It also serves as a great example of contemporary international musical collaboration which borderless Europe can offer to its young generation. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 16/02/2022Posted: 16/02/2022

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GUNNAR HALLE ~ HALLE`S PLANET OZELLA 094 (Barcode: 4038952000942) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2019 This is the second album by Norwegian trumpeter / composer Gunnar HalleFind albums by this artist, recorded with a Scandinavian quintet, which includes guitarist Stephan SiebenFind albums by this artist, bassist Putte JohanderFind albums by this artist and two drummers: Knut FinsrudFind albums by this artist and Wetle HolteFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Halle. As the lineup suggests, the music is Fusion related, but far from the customary Fusion concepts, concentrating on the trumpet playing with relatively limited accompaniment by the rest of the band. The result is mostly mellow, lyrical and melodic with a heavy (well double drums) sound behind, which is kept well in check. The guitar mostly adds only coloring rather than intensive soloing and the result is somewhat "industrial", which probably is exactly what Halle had in mind. The overall sound is pretty unusual and takes a while to get into, but works very effectively altogether. Halle uses some keyboards and electronics to spice the proceedings and the music is quite interesting, although the short playing time of the album (less than forty minutes) leaves the listener expecting more when the music is over. Somehow this immediately brings on "Heavy Metal Bebop" associations, which means it can´t be bad at all. This is "different" enough to be worth checking out and one never knows what might strike listeners fancy ;)

Updated: 20/09/2020Posted: 20/09/2020

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