Record Reviews

MATEUSZ PALKA ~ SANSA EMME 1704 (Barcode: 850869006145) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Mateusz PalkaFind albums by this artist and his trio which also includes bassist Piotr PoludniakFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine compositions, seven of which are originals by the leader, one is composed by Poludniak and one is a standard. The album was beautifully recorded at the RecPublica Studios and engineered by Maciej StachFind albums by this artist. The album´s title and artwork obviously hint as to someone´s adoration of the "Game Of Thrones" imagery. The album was released by an Italian label, which means that the young Poles age definitely going places! The music is deeply melodic and typical of contemporary mainstream European Jazz idiom, with emphasis on the Polish lyricism and melancholy, which are almost omnipresent on recordings by Polish Jazz musicians / composers. The themes are developed gradually and lingeringly, which adds to the tension this music creates and keeps the listener on edge. The overall level of composition is excellent and composition is the focus of this album. The trio plays very well together, with the piano clearly dominating the proceedings, but the rhythm section being audible and leading the music amicably. Dobosz displays a wide array of percussive trickery, which suits the music perfectly, while Poludniak keeps his bass lines down to earth and solid like a rock. The overall sound and attitude of the trio is fresh and innovative, especially in view of the fact that it rarely swings in the traditional meaning of the term, but allows for a large degree of rhythmical space, which is intriguing and very effective. Overall this is a stunning debut effort, as surprising as many other debut efforts by young Polish Jazz musicians, who seem to have found the formula to keep Jazz alive and kicking and intellectually challenging. These young lions are the hope of European Jazz, and in the not to distant future should achieve the acclaim they so well deserve. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 14/09/2017Posted: 14/09/2017

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QUANTUM TRIO ~ RED FOG EMME 1909 (Barcode: 850869006350) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the third album by the Quantum TrioFind albums by this artist, which consists of Polish saxophonist Michal Jan CiesielskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Kamil ZawislakFind albums by this artist and Chilean drummer Luis Mora MatusFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, two by Ciesielski, one by Zawislak, three by Matus and one credited to all trio members. The album offers a wonderful sound quality, albeit quite unusual and demanding due to the unorthodox balance between the instruments. With an average once every two years release schedule the trio managed to established a unique sound and stylistic approach to their music, which stays faithful to melody based compositions, but gradually opens up to distance itself from the Jazz mainstream. This album offers a new, rather dark and somewhat industrial sound, which differs from the two earlier albums but continues the trio´s musical direction. The trio offers a very unusual approach to instrumentation, with a delicate balance between the saxophone, piano and drums, not depending on the usual bass provided harmony and pulse, which might sound pretty weird at the first hearing, but has a lot of charm and intrinsic tension. The drums are given an absolute equal rank within the trio, which is almost never present elsewhere. As usual the personal performances are all exquisite and offer grace, elegance and sophistication way beyond what one might expect from young Jazz musicians. The complexity, mostly rhythmical, of the music demands a telepathic communication between the trio members, which is found here aplenty. Again, as usual, it is the level of the compositions that makes this music stand out above the average and turns this album into an exciting listening experience. Overall this is a mature, coherent piece of music by a trio that knows exactly where it is going, which offers splendid ambitious music, which keeps the listener on his toes from start to finish, being definitely one of the most exciting albums so far this year. Well done, again!

Updated: 18/05/2019Posted: 18/05/2019

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MARCIN PATER ~ NOTHING BUT TROUBLE EMME 1917 (Barcode: 850869006503) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer Marcin PaterFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with bassist Mateusz SzewczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam WajdzikFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Jakub MizerackiFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents nine original compositions, eight of which were composed by Pater and one co-composed by him with other musician. The album was released by the Italian label EmmeFind albums on this label Records, as the result of the trio winning the first prize at the 2018 Jazz Juniors competition in Krakow. The music is a wonderful amalgam of cross-genre explorations, moving between modern mainstream Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion, based on beautifully melodic themes. The level of all the compositions is truly excellent and very surprising considering the young age of the composer. The three tracks featuring Mizeracki are understandably much more Fusion oriented, due to the dominating sound of the electric guitar, whereas the trio tracks are much more airy and atmospheric. Pater emerges as a surprising vibraphone Master, playing with remarkable confidence and technical proficiency. Every strike of his mallets is precise and superbly expressive, using sustain and delicate variations of the pressure to produce a wonderful palette of sounds. It is truly heartwarming to see the much neglected instrument finally being treated with respect and virtuosity it deserves. The rest of the crew is also excellent of course. Szewczyk and Wajdzik support the leader with swinging fluidity and Mizeracki adds another layer to the music, stirring things up with his edgy approach, but also remarkable flexibility. Altogether the trio / quartet present a clockwork precision and a velvety sound, which work like a dream. The album brings on some fond nostalgic memories or early Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist quartet featuring Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist (or the birth of Fusion), which are still some of best examples of vibraphone virtuosity not related to Bebop. Overall a very impressive debut album, perhaps not very innovative musically, but very refreshing and focusing on a neglected and much loved instrument, which definitely put this album in the short list of best Polish Jazz debuts for 2019. Well done and definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 31/12/2019Posted: 31/12/2019

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