KaMaSz – Eight Rocks From Grandma's Box (2019)

KaMaSz

Marek Kądziela - guitar, electronics
Jacek Mazurkiewicz - bass, electronics
Krzysztof Szmańda - drums

Eight Rocks From Grandma's Box



MULTIKULTI MPI 041

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Improvising Music trio KaMaSz comprising of guitarist Marek Kądziela, bassist Jacek Mazurkiewicz and drummer Krzysztof Szmańda. The album presents eight original compositions/improvisations co-credited to all three members of the trio.

Despite the fact that this album firmly belongs to the Improvised Music idiom, the music is relatively well "organized" and accessible, including melodic fragments and logical harmonic developments, wrapped up in minimalistic low key, spaced-out ambience, which overall is remarkably listenable.

For one reason or another, this music remained unreleased for five years and only now sees the light of day. In the meantime the musicians involved in creating it recorded intensively, so this album allows a glance into the past, as well as comparison with their recent work. Whatever the reason, it is great to have this music out in the open.

All three musicians contribute not only cohesive and sympathetic collaborative statements as a trio, but also interesting individual statements. Kądziela offers a diverse palette of sounds, often returning to his Rock roots, Mazurkiewicz keeps the music on track with excellent bass lines and Szmańda masterly plays in and around the rhythms, still able to swing al all times. Overall this is a highly enjoyable album, full of great playing and despite the open improvisations sounding organized and structured enough for most Jazz listeners to be able to have fun, giving it some slack. Recommended!