Record Reviews

ANNA JOPEK ~ INSIGHT ALPAKA 021 (Barcode: 3663734142872) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Anna JopekFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the vocalist Anna Maria JopekFind albums by this artist), recorded with saxophonist / clarinetist Jakub KlemensiewiczFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Adam SkorczewskiFind albums by this artist and cellist Michalina SokolowskaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Jopek except for the title track, which was co-composed by her and Klemensiewicz. The music is beautifully recorded and offers a sensational sound experience, and is elegantly packaged, including a set of monochromatic photographs, which ideally suit the music. The music is strikingly minimalist, offering mostly duos between the piano and saxophone / clarinet and is spiritually close to 20th Century Classical music with just an undercurrent of Jazz inclinations. There are strong Polish Folklore ties, not surprisingly, and the album is soaked in typical in Polish lyricism and deep melancholy. Klemensiewicz is the focal soloist here and his moving performances perfectly comply with his earlier recordings with Dominik KisielFind albums by this artist, which are amongst the finest examples of the work by the new Polish Jazz generation. This album firmly fortifies that position. Jopek’s piano performances are elegant, but subdued and her role often focuses on introducing the themes and then accompanying the saxophone / clarinet parts. Of course, as the composer, she deserves all the praise for creating this beautiful, moving and highly intelligent music, which despite its seeming simplicity is hugely effective. Even though there is no explicit innovation or revolutionary character in this music per se, it sounds remarkably fresh and intriguing, which is sadly extremely rare in today’s music. As already stated in several of my recent reviews, there is now an obvious tendency in the young Polish Jazz scene toward minimalism and deep exploration of Polish Folklore roots, probably as an antidote to the music pollution surrounding us all incessantly. This music definitely offers a balsam for the listener’s ears. Overall, this is a deeply moving, highly original album, and a sensational debut by a new talent on the Polish Jazz scene, which is definitely worthy of attention and following. Calm, soothing, soul-drenching and above all wonderfully musical, this is a true discovery. Well done young Lady!

Updated: 23/05/2022Posted: 23/05/2022

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MACIEK PYSZ ~ INSIGHT 33 RECORDS 231 (Barcode: 5020883337319) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is one of those unexpected pleasant surprises that arrive in my mail box from time to time, which are not only musical delights but also have a personal aspect, closing one of the infinite connections woven during my life as a Jazz activist. Maciek PyszFind albums by this artist is a Polish guitarist / composer resident in London since 2003 and is considered as one of the most interesting upcoming players on the scene. His cohorts are Russian bassist Yuri GoloubevFind albums by this artist, a classically trained player living now in Milan, and Israeli drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist, also resident in London, considered as one of the best players around. Of course Sirkis is one of the many "kids on the block" that grew up under my wings and received their first recording opportunity on my record label, hence I consider him as one of my "musical children" spread all over the world. The trio performs nine original compositions, all by Pysz (one co-composed with the Italian guitarist Gianluca CoronaFind albums by this artist), who was also in charge of the exquisite arrangements. The music is a wonderful amalgam of influences mixing Jazzy improvisations with multicultural backgrounds including Gypsy, Flamenco, Latin and Brazilian folklore and European Classical music. Rhythmic influences also touch upon Middle Eastern pulsations. Together these elements are wonderfully interwoven, producing a completely unique musical identity, which belongs to the guitar based Jazz-World Fusion universe pioneered by such luminaries as Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist or John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, among others. Without any exaggeration, this music is every bit as good as the music created by these great Masters. But the excellent compositions and arrangements are also accompanied by superb performances. All three players are obvious virtuosi, each capable of astounding performance, and when combined are capable of truly wondrous music making. Pysz has a superb technique but even more so a deep feeling. The acoustic / classical guitar laughs and weeps, switches between cheerful lightheadedness and moody melancholy. The single notes and the chords are always in harmonious relation to each other and to the two other musicians. Goloubev is already quite famous as a classical player, but his performances here show that his feel and respect for Jazz are of no lesser magnitude. Sirkis, who "holds his horses" and intelligently fits his percussive magic to the delicate acoustic surroundings, simply binds the entire musical experience into a complete and perfect artistic message. As if all the above was not enough, the album is also superbly recorded, with an astonishing sonic ambience and dynamics of the highest quality, which turns the experience of listening to the music into a true delight. This is obviously "guitar heaven" for guitar buffs, but any true music connoisseur should find this album extraordinary in every sense. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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