Record Reviews

MACIEJ KOCINSKI ~ 14 SHORT STORIES ALLEGRO 046 (Barcode: 5901157049469) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the second album as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Maciej KocinskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Maciej Kocin KocinskiFind albums by this artist), recorded in an intimate trio setting with bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist, same as the debut album “Proverbs 3:5Find albums with this title”, recorded a decade earlier. The album presents fifteen tracks, mostly original compositions by Kocinski except one standard, one traditional melody and one composition by Swies. Kocinski is definitely one of my favorite Polish Jazz Artists, and although he appears as a sideman on some albums from time to time, the fact that we were destined to wait for so long for his next solo album is a great pity, especially in view of his talent. This album offers an up-to-date sonic ambience, with Kocinski playing the EWI and utilizing some electronic layers, and the concise, mostly relatively short tracks, with a strong electric bass upbeat and dynamic drumming. This trio goes back almost twenty years as a three-fourth of the fabulous Soundcheck quartet, and their telepathic communication is absolutely phenomenal, which enables them to achieve a maximal result from the difficult saxophone trio setting. As usual with Kocinski’s music, it is very expressive and stimulating, always telling a story, which of course can be freely interpreted by every listener. Although melody based, the music offers advanced freely improvised passages, with Kocinski displaying his excellent technique and imagination, which never ceases to amaze. Despite the fact that these musical “stories” are relatively short, they are deeply absorbing and offer a first class musical experience from start to finish, seamlessly and excitingly performed by the trio. It is plainly obvious that Kocinski is a mature, fully developed Artist, who needs to prove nothing anymore, and can concentrate on what is important rather than build up camouflage. This album is simply a concentrated, wholehearted musical delivery. Overall, this is a beautiful, deeply moving Jazz album, elegant in its minimalism and full of touching, lyrical melodies. Hopefully we won’t be exposed to such extended period of silence until the next album by Kocinski comes around, and in the meantime we can enjoy this little gem of an album to the max.

Updated: 06/01/2023Posted: 06/01/2023

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