Record Reviews

MICHAL AFTYKA ~ FRUKSTRAKT MULTIKULTI MPJ 027 (Barcode: 5903068683381) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Marcin ElszkowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Marcin KonieczkowiczFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Tymon KosmaFind albums by this artist and drummer Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all original compositions by Aftyka. This album is a wonderful verification of my theory that Jazz bassists, despite their seemingly “behind the scenes” role, often are the best composers out there, which has been proven time after time. The brilliant, concise, coherent and non-trivial compositions on this album are a pure delight from start to finish, presenting a wide spectrum of what might be considered as “Chamber Jazz” of the highest class and the album sounds like a progression of musical gems, separate but parts of a greater whole. The instrumentation, with vibraphone / xylophone replacing the traditional role of the piano, is absolutely perfect for this music, adding a unique ambience and taking the harmonic balance into a separate dimension from most common Jazz recordings. The individual performances by the quintet members are all spotless and highly imaginative, although the music is first and foremost an ensemble effort. Unusual meters and “exotic”, but rather vague World Music elements also play an important role in the final result. This music requires a very intensive / attentive listening procedure in order to expose the many layers hidden from a casual exposure, and with each approach displays new hidden treasures. Aftyka’s bass playing is the ultimate frame, which supports all the music, and he masterly leads the structural progression of each tune. The warm, encompassing bass sound holds the complicated melodic / harmonic structures in perfect accord. Overall, this a true Masterpiece of contemporary Polish Jazz and certainly the best debut recording on this year’s long list. It offers a perfect amalgam of highly intelligent compositions and Masterly performances, which refuses to conform and bravely steps into uncharted territory. It makes me extremely happy to see that the young Polish Jazz scene is able to produce such refined, Artistic, aesthetic and mature music as this. A was beginning to wonder…

Updated: 11/12/2023Posted: 11/12/2023

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OLA BLACHNO ~ WARSCHAUER STRASSE POLSKIE RADIO 2515 (Barcode: 5905610875541) ~ POLAND ~ Vocal Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2026 This is the 2nd album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / violinist Ola BlachnoFind albums by this artist, recorded with a classic Jazz piano trio, which features Russian (resident in Berlin) pianist Arseny RykovFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist and German drummer Johannes MetzgerFind albums by this artist and a string quartet, which can be regarded together as an octet. The album presents ten tracks (two of which are bonus tracks), all of which are composed and feature English language lyrics by Blachno. The tracks are named after train and metro stations in Berlin and Warsaw, which reflects the concept of sharing the composer’s life between the two cities. One of the bonus tracks features Blachno in a duet with the renowned Polish Jazz pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist, and is an alternate version of one of the album’s tracks. The album offers an excellent sound recording quality and balance, which are essential to present this music in the best possible aura. The music offers a surprisingly fresh approach to Jazz, completely beyond genre classification. It combines strong Jazz-Classical Fusion elements, modern contemporary European Jazz vistas, Vocal Jazz, which combines Pop and Classic Jazz melodic sensibilities with elegant slightly Avant-Garde vocalese, and some delicate electronics explorations, in short a multitude of musical elements, which work together surprisingly well, both harmoniously and aesthetically. The compositions offer a conceptual / stylistic unity for the entire duration, but at some point might seem a tad too similar to less patient listeners. Blachno selected a superb group of instrumentalists to accompany her, which is evident both in their ensemble performances and while soloing. Rykov is a beautifully romantic player, the rhythm section is just perfect for the task and the string quartet performs the complex and intricate string arrangements (not credited) with ease and elegance. Instrumentally, this octet is true dream-team. Personally I am not happy with the decision to sing in English, which is the weakest point of the album, immediately audible and somewhat annoying, and the bonus track with Polish lyrics illustrates this point perfectly. But of course it’s probably my exaggerated sensibility in that area and in proportion to the multitude of the wonderful things that this album offers, is just a minor imperfection. Overall, this is a beautiful, complex and very impressive piece of recorded music, which is accessible to a wide range of Jazz (and not only) listeners, which shows maturity and class of all the participants. One can only hope for another exposition of the many talents by Blachno and her cohorts, as soon as possible. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 20/09/2026Posted: 20/09/2026

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JAH TRIO ~ TRAVELERS SOLITON 1163 (Barcode: 5903684231638) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz trio, named JAH TrioFind albums by this artist, which comprises of young representatives of the local scene: pianist Jan JareckiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin SojkaFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, which are assumably original compositions, but nothing about the authors is stated on the album’s artwork. The music is all melody based mainstream modern Jazz, beautifully put together, performed and recorded, resulting in a “classic” Jazz piano trio album, which many Jazz listeners around the world should enjoy immensely. Although the Jazz piano trio recordings are pretty common these days, with many young artists adopting this format as their platform, this album is definitely one of the best ones released lately on the Polish scene. The music is often deeply melancholic and bears the typical Polish characteristic of lyricism and melancholy, which have become trademarks of Polish Jazz over the decades. The compositions are coherent and intelligent, and although do not try to innovate of step outside of the well threaded path, still manage to keep the listener alert and often pleasantly surprised. Overall, this is an excellent debut effort of surprising quality, especially in view of the age of the participating musicians, which again proves the excellent Polish musical education and widespread love of the genre. This certainly does not sound like a debut and is full of potential for future efforts. Well done indeed!

Updated: 30/11/2021Posted: 30/11/2021

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SUPERMINIMALISM ~ PRELUDE LJF 002 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quintet SuperminimalismFind albums by this artist, comprising of trumpeter Marcin ElszkowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Robert WypasekFind albums by this artist and Jakub LepaFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal AftykaFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Stefan RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven short original compositions by Raczkowski, totaling in under half an hour, which makes it an EP rather than a full album. The music offers very interesting approach, with minimalistic motives and unusual sound, with brass and rhythm section only. The music is full of internal tension and simply “asks for” to be developed further, but of course it is the artistic choice of the ensemble to leave it sort of hanging in the air. Despite the fact that the music seems like a teaser / sample, of what the quintet is capable of, it is truly fascinating from start to finish, and definitely does the job of arising the listener’s attention perfectly. Overall, this is a wonderful sample of modern Polish Jazz and the talents of the young generation ready to invade the scene. The compositions are fascinating, the performances highly professional and the result simply enchanting – well done!

Updated: 20/12/2023Posted: 20/12/2023

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