Record Reviews

NIKA LUBOWICZ ~ NIKA`S DREAM FOR TUNE 0065 (Barcode: 5902768701654) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer Nika LubowiczFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a very impressive group of musicians, which includes her siblings: violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist (Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist) and keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist, cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist (also Atom String Quartet), bassist Marcin MurawskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Marcin UlanowskiFind albums by this artist, percussionist Bogusz WekkaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Artur GierczakFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist. Veteran pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist guests on a couple of tracks. The album presents nine tracks, three of which are standards, two are by Dawid Lubowicz, another two by Krzysztof Lenczowski and yet another two by Nika Lubowicz herself. All songs feature English lyrics except for the last track which has lyrics in Polish. From the very first notes of this album it´s plainly evident that this is no ordinary vocal Jazz album. The arrangements, which in most cases feature either the violin or the cello up front alongside the vocal parts, replace the usual "vocals with piano trio" setting. The arrangements also include other unusual lineups, keeping the listener on his toes at all times. The overall atmosphere of this album is all about the essence of music, freely crossing genre boundaries, comfortably and elegantly touching upon mainstream Jazz, ethnic music, Pop and Soul with the same artistically predetermined frivolity. I even have to agree with all the compliments listed in the album´s liner notes authored by Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, which happens extremely rarely. Nika Lubowicz uses her vocal abilities wisely and intelligently, switching between lyrics and vocalese with grace. Her vocalese parts are in fact way more impressive than her actual singing lyrics, which as always in such cases suffer from the English pronunciation, being far from ideal. The closing track sung in Polish is a sore proof of this. Luckily her singing lyrics are altogether just a minor part of the entire endeavor. I have not timed the album but about half of the album´s duration is instrumental, which is highly unusual for albums involving vocals, and which is a very courageous and in this case extremely tasteful decision. This is the second album in the "pink" (Jazz vocals) series by For TuneFind albums on this label Records, and it is again a big time winner. Albums of such quality and obvious aesthetic approach are extremely rare and the fact that at least once a year they do materialize makes life worth living, at least for people who love music. This is definitely a most impressive debut and so far the best vocal Jazz album released this year on the Polish Jazz scene. Well done girl!

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NIKA LUBOWICZ ~ NOC NAD BETLEJEM FOR TUNE 0114 (Barcode: 5906395808144) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is second Christmas album I am writing about this year, which is highly unusual, as I mostly keep away from Christmas albums as far as I can, not that I have anything against Christmas per se, but because Christmas albums are usually pretty atrocious musically. However, for the second time it turns out that Christmas albums can be artistic and musically fulfilling. Polish Jazz vocalist Nika LubowiczFind albums by this artist, a member of the famed Lubowicz clan, gathered her two brothers: violinist Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Jakub LubowiczFind albums by this artist, her husband accordionist Sebastian ZajacFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcin MurawskiFind albums by this artist, drummer Krzysztof SzmandaFind albums by this artist and a couple of guests, and together they perform ten Christmas Carols, six of which were composed by Nika´s father Stanislaw LubowiczFind albums by this artist, one by Waclaw Geiger and three are traditional Carols newly arranged for this album. The music carries the Christmas spirit, as expected, but it is also rich in wonderful arrangements, some more Jazz oriented and others less so, and of course features Nika´s lovely vocals, which are always a pleasure to listen to. Everything is kept in relaxed, almost blessed atmosphere, with the music and instrumental passages working perfectly together to create a coherent, highly aesthetic message. The music also includes some Folklore elements, related to the Polish Highlanders, who live near the southern border of the country in the Tatra Mountains and the town of Zakopane, which of course is Nika´s home ground. Overall this is a gorgeous, moving album, which although Christmas oriented, is perfectly listenable any day of the year, and which emphasizes the diversity and beauty of the Polish Culture.

Updated: 28/11/2016Posted: 28/11/2016

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NIKA LUBOWICZ / ALL STARS ~ NIKA SINGS ELLA FOR TUNE 0157 (Barcode: 5906395808717) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Polish vocalist Nika LubowiczFind albums by this artist, this time recorded by a classic Jazz combo comprising of veteran Polish Jazz players led by Wieslaw PieregorolkaFind albums by this artist, who also arranged most of the tunes. The excellent rhythm section with pianist Andrzej JagodzinskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech PulcynFind albums by this artist and drummers Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist or Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist provide the backbone. Vocalist Wojciech MyrczekFind albums by this artist guests on a couple of tunes. As the album’s title suggests, Lubowicz performs a collection of Jazz standards associated with the repertoire of the great American Jazz vocalist Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist, which of course sets an incredible challenge in view of the Majestic status held by Fitzgerald in the Vocal Jazz tradition. Lubowicz approaches the classic repertoire with a straightforward attitude, sticking to the convention and intelligently avoiding mimicking her model but at the same time eschewing any extravagant innovations. As faithful as the music is to the source, Lubowicz manages to put forward her personality as a vocalist, which is beyond reproach. Her vocalese parts are especially interesting. The instrumental performances are all exactly what one might expect from a collection of such experienced players, with brief, but excellent soli and obvious empathy to the material. The arrangements are very conservative, which in this case is just what the doctor prescribed. Overall, this is a tribute to the tradition of a great Artist and a kind reminder of what Jazz sounded like more than half a Century ago. For the many fans of the great Ella Fitzgerald and classic Vocal Jazz tradition this is a most welcome effort, which will surely be enjoyed immensely.

Updated: 10/09/2022Posted: 10/09/2022

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