Record Reviews

SLOW ~ LIVE IN DRESDEN SLOWMUSIC 04 ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the 4th album (1st live) by Polish Jazz ensemble SlowFind albums by this artist (now Slow The BandFind albums by this artist), which comprises of guitarist Tomasz KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Leszek SzczerbaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Krzysztof WerminskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Tomasz GrabowyFind albums by this artist, percussionist Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz SobolakFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, eight of which are co-composed by Kaczmarczyk and Werminski and three are composed by Kaczmarczyk. The live recording offers excellent sound quality and a robust funky vibe. The music continues the same attitude the ensemble assumed from its very early stage, which is playing highly melodic, solidly composed, almost danceable and entertaining music, which does not pretend to be anything beyond what’s out there: a high quality entertainment, without compromising artistic values and avoiding pretentious assumptions. These are all excellent, professional and dedicated musicians, who want to bring to the audience some fun, relaxed music, which is a true pleasure to listen to. All three soloists offer first-rate soloing, and the guitar parts are certainly as good as those produced by some of the most famous international names. The rhythm section is also absolutely perfect for the job and Berny shows his amazing percussion technique, which is always breathtaking. Overall, this is an excellent piece of Jazz music from the easier side of the spectrum, which is surely accessible to a wide audience, and which is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy some great tunes without too much brain-hacking. Perhaps some Jazz snobs will, as usual, turn their long noses, but it’s them who are missing all the fun. In these depressing time, this is a true ray of sunshine!

Updated: 22/06/2024Posted: 22/06/2024

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SLOW ~ QUARTET LIVE SLOWMUSIC 05 ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the 5th album by the Polish Jazz ensemble SlowFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Slow The BandFind albums by this artist), recorded live by a quartet lineup, led by guitarist / composer Tomasz KaczmarczykFind albums by this artist, with saxophonist Leszek SzczerbaFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Tomasz GrabowyFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz SobolakFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks (one bonus), two composed by Kaczmarczyk, one co-composed by him and the fifth member of the band, in absentia, keyboardist Krzysztof WerminskiFind albums by this artist, and three are standards. The music was recorded in a church and offers spectacular sound quality. The music is, as always in the case of this ensemble, a perfectly executed and elegant Smooth Jazz, based on melodic themes, usually composed by the band’s members, but in this case also including interpretations of Jazz standards. As I have already stated repeatedly, although this is not the kind of music I listen to often, I have a lot of respect for these musicians, who always treat the music they play with respect and dedication, without giving up musical standards and remaining faithful to their aesthetic credo. Smooth Jazz can very quickly deteriorate into a shameless chaltura, but Slow managed to avoid such a development on five consecutive albums, so I have nothing but high esteem for their music. Overall, this is a fine, pleasant and highly entertaining album, which offers a lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, which can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of music listeners, without offending anybody’s taste buds. Well done, as always, and a relaxing listening experience in the chaotic world we live in.

Updated: 09/11/2025Posted: 09/11/2025

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VIBRASLAP ~ DIFFERENT WOR(L)DS MILOR 001 (Barcode: 5907796632000) ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the second album by Polish Jazz ensemble VibraslapFind albums by this artist, co-led by vibraphonist / composer Milosz RutkowskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Tomasz GrabowyFind albums by this artist. The current sextet version of the ensemble also includes saxophonist Tomasz WendtFind albums by this artist, pianist Robert JarmuzekFind albums by this artist, drummer Lukasz SobolakFind albums by this artist and vocalist Marcin WawrzynowiczFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the ensemble members. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the usual superb sound quality. The music is definitely on the easy side of the Jazz spectrum, based on simple melodies and catchy riffs, but altogether offering a pleasant and entertaining listening experience. The group members are excellent and experienced musicians and their performances are all beyond reproach, appropriate within this specific genre. The vocals are the weakest chain on the album, but again excusable in that context. Jarmuzek and Wendt offer the most ambitious soloing spots, Rutkowski has a nice touch and the rhythm section keeps the music swinging, and all is well. As I have already stated many times before, Jazz is a wide phenomenon that is flexible enough to embrace more approachable and entertaining facets, including music like what this album offers, which has its following and should not be a priori rejected by condescending snobbery. To each his own…

Updated: 13/01/2020Posted: 13/01/2020

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