Krzysztof Urbanski - alto & tenor saxophones
Stuart McCallum - acoustic & electric guitars
Martin Longhawn - rhodes piano, grand piano, hammond organ
Sam Vicary - double bass, electric bass
Sam Gardner - drums
History Of Tomorrow
PRIVATE EDITION
By Adam Baruch
This is the second album by Polish Jazz saxophonist/composer Krzysztof Urbanski. Following the release of his excellent debut album in 2000, Urbanski moved to UK, where he now resides, and where this album was recorded with his current quintet called Urban Jazz Society, which includes guitarist Stuart McCallum, keyboardist Martin Longhawn, bassist Sam Vicary and drummer Sam Gardner. The album presents eight original compositions (one of which is a three part suite), seven of which were composed by Urbanski and one was co-composed by Urbanski and Longhawn.
The music is an excellent
example of contemporary mainstream Jazz, which is based on clearly defined
melodic themes and harmonic structures, but brings the mainstream idiom up to
date with interesting arrangements and splendid execution. Urbanski lost some
of his smoothness and melancholy, which were very evident on the debut album,
and moved more into proficiency and versatility as a saxophonist. His solos on
this album emphasize his development as an instrumentalist and his acquired
skills. The rest of his crew on this album are all highly professional players,
working together to achieve a group sound and support the leader/composer in
his quest to present his music at the best possible way.
Both McCallum and Longhawn play
several lengthy solos, which are all quite impressive and exciting. The rhythm
section skillfully carries the music forward with Vicary being the anchor and
time keeper and Gardner
ornamenting the grooves. The resulting group effort is overall successful and
the resulting music is a solid mainstream Jazz pleasant on the ear and
accessible to most Jazz fans.
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