Record Reviews

JARMUZEK / PAKOWSKA ~ PRZED SKONCZENIEM SWIATA NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5907731954853) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Polish duo comprising of keyboardist / composer / arranger Robert JarmuzekFind albums by this artist and vocalist Kasia PakowskaFind albums by this artist. They are supported by a rhythm section comprising of bassist Marcin LamchFind albums by this artist and Hungarian drummer Peter SomosFind albums by this artist. A few guests also participate on selected tracks. The album presents thirteen Polish Folk songs, mostly from Lower Silesia, arranged by Jarmuzek. The album was partly recorded at the Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, and offers a spectacular sonic experience. The music sounds completely contemporary due to the masterly arrangements, which offer a strong Jazz under-taste, mixed with ambient sonic vistas. The Folklore basis is still present in the vocal layer, which is kept close to the traditional atmosphere, but modernized slightly in pronunciation and vocal ornamentation, which Pakowska manages to keep under remarkable control. It is encouraging to hear the young generation of Polish musicians discovering the riches of the Polish Culture, especially the regional Folklore, which is extremely diverse and offers endless hidden treasures. This album is an excellent example of tradition being handled with respect and class, as well as imaginative contemporary adaptation. Overall, this is an excellent album, intelligent and highly aesthetic, which offers a glimpse at the depth of Polish Folklore in an exciting, Jazzy perspective, which deserves to be heard by every music lover. It is certainly one of the most rewarding albums on the Polish scene that arrived on my desk lately. Well done!

Updated: 06/05/2022Posted: 06/05/2022

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SZYMON MIKA ~ AGMA MUSIC CORNER 071 (Barcode: 5906489287732) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the 4th album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, recorded with an international quintet, which includes South Korean vocalist Song Yi JeonFind albums by this artist, Slovak trumpeter Oskar TorokFind albums by this artist, Polish bassist Andrzej SwiesFind albums by this artist and Hungarian drummer Peter SomosFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all original composition by Mika. It was recorded at the Monochrom Studio, engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist and offers a superb sound quality. In the last decade Mika managed to create a substantial recording legacy, which includes over two dozen albums, recorded as leader, co-leader and sideman, firmly establishing his position as one of the leaders of the young Polish Jazz generation, an impressive composer and highly talented performer. The presence of the female vocalist continues his previous cooperation with the Polish / Japanese vocalist Yumi ItoFind albums by this artist, which yielded several excellent recordings. The music is excellent modern Jazz, wonderfully crafted and splendidly executed by these extraordinary musicians. Based on clear melodic themes, which are soaked in typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, the tunes are expanded by complex, but well organized soloing by the quintet members. The vocalist sings mostly vocalese (singing vocals on one track only), which serves principally as an additional instrument. The vocals fit the musical environment ideally and are an important addition to the ambience. Torok plays concise, beautiful solos and exchanges licks with other musicians. Swies plays some extraordinary bass parts, which are way more complex than just the usual bass support and often lead the proceedings. Somos keeps the music moving forward with a firm and strict rein, but stays delicately in the shadows. Mika’s guitar playing plays a central role on this album, but his clear guitar sound, which eschews any special effects, fills the music with melodic flow and splendid continuity, rather than staying up front most of the time. This album is definitely one of the most advanced “ensemble” recordings, that appeared on the Polish scene lately, which proves that an ensemble can create an effect much bigger than just the sum of its parts. Overall, this is a remarkable album, full of mesmerizing music, constantly challenging the listener on one hand, but also gently hovering around, like in an enchanted dream. Despite its complexity and multi-layered messages, it should be a truly magical experienced to all Jazz lovers the world over. Listeners, who love vocalese, will be absolutely enchanted. Well done everybody!

Updated: 20/05/2025Posted: 20/05/2025

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JAKUB PAULSKI TRIO ~ PRELUDIUM NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5903771865203) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer Jakub PaulskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with bassist Franciszek PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist and Hungarian drummer Peter SomosFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, including a three part title track, all by Paulski. From the very onset the album offers a very distinct guitar sound, which dominates the proceedings, electric but almost completely acoustic in nature, a way of playing guitar that is almost completely absent from today´s scene and fondly reminds the way Jazz guitar sounded in the 1960s. Same applies to the rhythm section, which accompanies the leader respectfully in the background, without competing with him for supremacy. The music is mostly strictly melody based, but the melodic motifs are pretty complex and require attentive listening in order to follow the logical flow. Some more freely improvised moments and esoteric sounds appear through the album, but they are definitely not the mainline. The performances are all excellent, as expected. Paulski definitely has a great technique and feel for the music, Pospieszalski offers very supportive bass lines with a nice round sound and Somos, although playing sparingly, know exactly what he is doing. Overall this is an ambitious debut effort, promising but not entirely "cooked", especially as far as the compositions are concerned, in my opinion. Paulski needs probably some more time to crystallize his composing skills in parallel to his playing technique, using a bit more of the "less is more" approach, as the album at times definitely offers too many notes at once. Having said that and considering that Jazz guitar is pretty neglected on the Polish Jazz scene, this album definitely is worth checking out!

Updated: 23/12/2020Posted: 23/12/2020

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FRANCISZEK POSPIESZALSKI ~ ACCUMULATED THOUGHTS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the second album by young Polish Jazz bassist / composer Franciszek PospieszalskiFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a classic piano trio Jazz setting with pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist and Hungarian drummer Peter SomosFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Pospieszalski and one is by the legendary British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the now legendary Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the expected exceptional sound quality. In complete contrast to his debut album, which was an explosion of youthful exploration and discovery flirting mostly with Free Jazz and a myriad of other influences, this album is completely focused on melodic modern Jazz, coherent compositions and superb instrumental work by the trio. Pospieszalski emerges here as a gifted composer, who is able to weave interesting and multilayered themes, as well as a superb bassist, with refined technique and remarkable feel for the music. His work as a trio member and as a soloist is absolutely spotless and inspired. Raczkowski, who is a relative newcomer on the Polish scene, made an impressive progress as a player since his own debut album recorded three years earlier, and his splendid performances on acoustic and electric piano are a true delight from start to finish. His progress is heartwarming and definitely paves his way towards the incredibly crowded Polish Jazz pianist clique. Somos is an excellent drummer, which is mostly evident from the fact that he is rather felt that heard. His elegant sense of rhythm and subtle use of his instrument are remarkable. Overall this is a wonderful piano trio Jazz album, up to date and vibrant, full of excellent music and brilliant playing, definitely one of the most exciting of the kind that came to my attention in quite a while. Congratulations are in order for the chameleonic transformation Pospieszalski went through and for putting this trio together and I can´t wait to hear the next album by these young lions. A breathe of fresh air!

Updated: 15/04/2019Posted: 15/04/2019

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