Dominik Wania - piano
Ole Morten Vagan - bass
Gard Nilssen - drums
FOR TUNE 0022
By Adam Baruch
This is the second album by the international quartet led by Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Maciej Obara, called Obara International, which also includes the superb Polish pianist Dominik Wania and a Norwegian rhythm section: bassist Ole Morten Vagan and drummer Gard Nilssen. The album, which was recorded live, comprises of six pieces, five of which are original compositions by Obara and the remaining one is by Krzysztof Komeda, to whom this group dedicated their debut album, simply called "Komeda".
The music is placed somewhere between
Free Form and contemporary Modern Jazz of the European variety. Most of the
tunes get an expanded treatment, which includes extensive solo and group
improvisations, and last around ten minutes each except one tune which is
almost twice as long and the closing track which is a brief farewell. Although
the melodic content is clearly recognizable, it is kept somewhat in the
background, as if on a separate plane, and the improvisations are the focal
point of this music, changing in tempi and intensity, but always out there on
the forefront.
The level of musicianship
involved herein is truly admirable and of the highest standing by any standard.
This is by far not easy music and the amount of technique, talent and
sophistication required in order to play it is simply astounding, not to
mention the emotional tension. The entire concert portrays a wonderful flow of
energy between the quartet members and of course the combined creative power of
the quartet is even greater than the sum of the individual statements. Personally
I enjoy the contributions by the pianist most of all. Wania, whom I've been watching
carefully for a few years now, is definitely one of the greatest promises of
Polish Jazz and is destined to get places. His brilliant work on this album, both
as a soloist and as an ensemble member, is simply outstanding. Obara is a great
player as well, of course, but his melancholy and mellow tone often seem to push
the music somewhat backwards into the mainstream conformity. The Norwegian
rhythm section is solid and reliable, when needed, and inventive and spontaneous
when the music calls for it, in short they play splendidly, as only the
Scandinavian rhythm sections can.
Overall this is another musical
gem that the Polish For Tune label manages to put out for the world to hear and
admire. The sound quality, separation and warmth are incredible considering the
fact that this is a live recording. European Jazz connoisseurs are expected to
lick their fingers upon exposure to this wonderful music. Well done gentlemen!
BTW Obara's Polish quartet uses
the excellent RGG rhythm section: bassist Maciej Garbowski and drummer Krzysztof
Gradziuk, which of course is also a dreamy team, so where is their next album I
ask?
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