Record Reviews

LUKASZ JUZKO ~ FIRST BREATH SJ 027 ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by Polish saxophonist / composer Lukasz JuzkoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Michal WroblewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Bartosz SwiatekFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian KuchczynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, presumably all by the leader, although the album´s artwork does not state it. The album is beautifully recorded and the sound quality is truly remarkable. The music is a highly melodic mainstream Jazz, easy on the ear, romantic and basically belonging to the Smooth Jazz idiom, which of course does not mean, contrary to popular opinion, that the music is not ambitious or well played, far from it. The compositions are all very well structured and coherent harmonically and serve as perfect vehicles for the improvisations created by Juzko and Wroblewski. All four instrumentalist are excellent, playing as well as can be expected from these well educated and talented young musicians, who already have remarkable achievements behind them. Juzko has a nice tone, and his tenor saxophone performances sound highly professional and inspired. Wroblewski is a superb pianist and his chord structures and solos are simply perfectly suited for this music. The rhythm session also performs brilliantly, with a strong rhythmic signature, which gives the music quite a kick. Overall this is an impressive debut album, which presents Juzko as a mature composer and player, and which shows a lot of potential for his future endeavors. Highly recommended to connoisseurs of melodic Jazz and ageless romantics!

Updated: 03/04/2018Posted: 03/04/2018

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SEKSTANS ~ SEKSTANS MULTIKULTI 010 (Barcode: 5907529223376) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2013 This is an excellent debut album by the young Polish Jazz sextet called SekstantFind albums by this artist and originating form the Baltic Tricity, founded and led by saxophonists Lukasz JuzkoFind albums by this artist and including saxophonist Piotr CheckiFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dawid LipkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Szymon BurnosFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej SadowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz KoperFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of seven original compositions, two of which (the opening and closing tracks) are improvised pieces, three are composed by Juzko and one each by Sadowski and Koper. As usual with the young Polish Jazz ensembles the music crosses all possible boundaries and is almost impossible to be neatly categorized. On top of the obvious Jazz tradition there are traces of Rock and even Punk (especially in the somewhat hassle-free attitude), Free Jazz and even Improvised Music excursions and many other elements, which of course make this music fascinating and unpredictable. The usage of electric piano and the brass arrangement on certain pieces take the ensemble close to Jazz-Rock Fusion, but then electronics and Ambient elements remind the listener that this is 21st Century and music is constantly changing and expanding its idioms. Underlying these stylistic explorations, the compositions present solid melodic themes, which are all quite impressive. Both the individual abilities of these players and their collective cooperation are very impressive. As usual it´s hard to believe that these are such young players only starting their musical life´s journey. The open-mindedness and personal courage to explore non-trivial music and eschew mediocrity are truly admirable. I eagerly anticipate the next step on this ensemble´s path, which in view of this promising debut could be even more thrilling. In the meantime this is a true little gem, which should give Jazz connoisseurs a most pleasurable listening experience. Well done!

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