Darek Dobroszczyk Trio – Simple Delights (2014)

Darek Dobroszczyk - piano
Jakub Mielcarek - double bass
Grzegorz Maslowski - drums
Przemysław Hanaj - guitar

PRIVATE EDITION






By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Jazz trio led by pianist / composer Darek Dobroszczyk, which also includes bassist Jakub Mielcarek (who also plays in a free form atmosphere with trumpeter Piotr Damasiewicz and the Erase quartet) and drummer Grzegorz Maslowski (who is also a member of the Bartosz Pernal / Michal Szkil quintet). Guitarist Przemyslaw Hanaj guests on one track. The album includes eight tracks, four of which are original compositions by Dobroszczyk, one is by Krzysztof Komeda, one by Sting and two are standards.

The album is kept well within the modern piano trio idiom, as established by such luminaries as the Keith Jarrett trio or Esbjorn Svensson trio, which are listed among the trio's influences. The music is mostly very melodic and shows melancholic influence popular with Scandinavian modern Jazz composers. But considering the crystal-clear sound and the obvious talents displayed by these young players, one can hope that this is not an attempt to imitate but just a starting point of their venture together.

The original compositions are all interesting and well suited for the piano trio format, although it is yet early to determine if they will be unique enough to become the composer's trademark. The overall aesthetics and atmosphere of the album certainly points out a path, which the trio intends to follow. Considering that this is their debut recording, they certainly show a lot of hope and potential.

Although perhaps not very innovative or groundbreaking, this is nevertheless a very well played and beautifully recorded pleasing listening experience, which Jazz enthusiast should enjoy without reservation. It is also a remarkable debut effort and therefore worthy of well deserved praise.