Record Reviews

CEZARIUSZ GADZINA ~ WHITE IN BLUE TAK 25004 (Barcode: 5905669373074) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is an album by Polish (resident in Belgium) saxophonist / composer Cezariusz GadzinaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with three younger Japanese Jazz musicians: pianist Sota SetaFind albums by this artist, bassist Yuta OminoFind albums by this artist and drummer Ryo NoritakeFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, four of which are original compositions by Gadzina, three are interpretations of compositions by Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist and one is by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. The album offers excellent sound quality, as expected from a Japanese recording. The music is strictly within the mainstream Jazz milieu, excellently performed by Gadzina and the Japanese rhythm section, which is highly proficient and as all representatives of the young Jazz generation the world over, well-schooled and obviously talented. The piano parts are a pleasant surprise with their innovative approach. The original compositions are all solid and perfectly suit the album’s atmosphere. Gadzina’s saxophone parts, which are naturally the focus of the music, are, as always beyond reproach. The three Chopin pieces offer a Jazz-Classical interlude within the album, and although Chopin’s music has been often abused and mistreated by Jazz musicians, the three interpretations herein are a nice example of a sensitive approach, which treats the melodic themes with respect, not trying to re-invent them. Same goes for the Komeda piece, which is a Polish Jazz anthem. Overall, this is a classic mainstream Jazz album, with something for everyone, as far as Jazz listeners are concerned, which offers first-rate music, high-class performances and superb sound quality, making it a most pleasant listening experience.

Updated: 21/09/2025Posted: 21/09/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ALBERT KARCH / YUTA OMINO ~ HARE ALPAKA 006 ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the quartet co-led by Polish Jazz drummer Albert KarchFind albums by this artist and Japanese bassist Yuta OminoFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Momo OtaniFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Hiroyuki IshikawaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original pieces, three by Karch, two by Omino and one by Otani, and the remaining six pieces are improvised (implicitly credited to all the quartet members). The music presents two quite contrasting facets: the three opening composed pieces and the closing piece are quite mainstream Jazz oriented, whereas the improvised pieces and the rest of the composed pieces clearly tend towards Free Jazz / Improvised Music. Therefore as a whole the album slightly lacks focus and clear musical direction. However considering the fact that it was recorded in a one-day recording session during the quartet´s tour of Japan, it is certainly a worthy and interesting effort. It is obvious that Ishikawa is the more improvisation inclined musician, as Otani is often absent during the improvised pieces and plays melodically at all times. The rhythm section plays splendidly from start to finish, doing a perfect job both in the more melodic pieces and during the improvised ones. Overall this is a most welcome meeting between Polish and Japanese musicians, which will hopefully continue to flourish in the future and encourage additional musicians from both countries to play together. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 14/09/2018Posted: 14/09/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend