Eskaubei - rap
Tomek Nowak - trumpet, flugelhorn
Kuba Płużek - keyboards
Alan Wykpisz - bass
Mateusz Śliwa - tenor saxophone
Filip Mozul - drums
Tego Chciałem
FOR TUNE 0117
By Adam Baruch
This is the second album by Polish Rap and Jazz ensemble which finds rapper Bartłomiej Skubisz (a.k.a. Eskaubei) combining forces with a Jazz quartet led by trumpeter Tomek Nowak, which also includes pianist Kuba Płużek, bassist Alan Wykpisz and drummer Filip Mozul. This time they are also supported by DJ Wojciech Długosz (a.k.a. Mr. Krime) who performs turntablism, saxophonist Mateusz Śliwa and vocalist Patrycja Zarychta. A couple of guest musicians appear on one track. Together the ensemble performs ten original songs, seven of which were composed by Nowak, two by Płużek and one by Mozul (an instrumental intro). Skubisz wrote the lyrics to all nine songs and was helped out by the guest on one of them.
This album continues the
direction set by its predecessor, which combines Funky Groovy Jazz tunes with
Rap. In contrast to most attempts of such amalgamation, in which the musical
content is rather limited and mostly very sketchy not to say primitive, this
album offers a series of excellent full fledged compositions, which easily hold
their own ground musically. This is even more emphasized on this album with the
addition of Śliwa and expanding the quartet into a quintet on about half of the
tunes. The Rap elements, although occupying a separate plane, are fully
integrated within the musical structures. The turntablism, courtesy of Mr.
Krime, who is prominently featured on the album, brings this album up to date
with updated sound trends
The instrumental work by the
quartet/quintet is excellent from start to finish. Nowak plays superb soulful/funky phrases, Śliwa adds strength creating a brass section feel and soul
when he plays solo, Płużek plays absolutely wicked keyboards, using a plethora
of sounds and groovy touches, Wykpisz, who is a wonderful Jazz bassist, turns
here into a wizard of Funk and Groove and finally Mozul takes care of the
rhythmic continuum, steady as a rock and devilishly inventive; in short a dream
team!
The Rap, which in fact is more
a form than contents, turns out to be a recitation of Poetry, which deals with
a wide range of subject matter, which Skubisz and his generation are facing in
this strange and cruel world, which is consistently becoming less human. The
lyrics are often bitter and frustrating, but from time to time also touch upon
dreams and hope. They are a great example how one can express protest and anger
without using even one four (or in Polish five) letter word.
Overall this is another great
album by Skubisz and his cohorts, proving that their debut effort was not just
a lucky coincidence. The Rap and Jazz concept is again proven to be valid and
creatively sound and the execution is once more just right on the money.
Hopefully the Artists involved in this project will develop the idiom further
in their future recordings, and in the meantime we are happy to enjoy this excellent
effort. Well done again!
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz