Rutkowski & Kossowska – Blues On The Bridge (2016)

Rutkowski & Kossowska

Miłosz Rutkowski - vibraphone
Krzysztof Puma Piasecki - guitar
Beata Kossowska - vocals, harmonica
Grzegorz Piasecki - bass
Wojciech Buliński - drums

Blues On The Bridge



LUNA 395

By Adam Baruch

This is an album by Polish Jazz vibraphonist/composer Miłosz Rutkowski and vocalist/harmonica player Beata Kossowska. They are supported by bassist Grzegorz Piasecki and drummer Wojciech Buliński. Guitarist Krzysztof Puma Piasecki appears as guest artist. Together they perform eleven compositions, all of which are originals by Rutkowski except for one Pop standard and one Polish Pop song.

The music is a nice amalgam of Jazz and Blues, pretty unusual these days as the two genres have grown apart despite their common roots. The original compositions by Rutkowski are all excellent, with strong melodic content and perfect harmonic structure, as well as internal Groove and Funky feeling. The basic sound of the album is very Jazzy and the Blues seasoning is emphasized mostly by the harmonica and guitar parts and the vocals.

The instrumental performances are all excellent from start to finish and the album is a great fun to listen to, beautifully balancing the sophistication of the Jazz ingredients and the emotional influx of the Blues. Personally I'm not really excited by the vocals and would have preferred this album in purely instrumental version, which would have made it truly exceptional, buy hey, that's just me. Kossowska does however contribute some breathtaking harmonica parts. The young rhythm section does a perfect job and Piasecki burns with his electrifying solos. Overall this is a very enjoyable album, which maintains a classy approach to the Blues along with the basic Jazz attitude, which should easily satisfy connoisseurs of both genres. Wholeheartedly recommended!