Michał Martyniuk – Nothing To Prove (2018)

Michał Martyniuk

Michał Martyniuk - piano
Jakub Skowroński - saxophone
Jakub Mizeracki - guitar
Bartek Chojnacki - bass
Kuba Gudz - drums

Nothing To Prove




SJ 031

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish (resident in New Zealand) Jazz pianist/composer Michał Martyniuk, recorded with a core quintet setting with saxophonist Jakub Skowroński, guitarist Jakub Mizeracki, bassist Bartek Chojnacki and drummer Kuba Gudz. Three guest artists: drummer Sebastian Skrzypek, percussionist Miguel Fuentes and vocalist Tama Waipara appear on selected tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all composed by Martyniuk.

The music is very melodic mainstream Jazz that stays almost completely within the conventional Smooth Jazz idiom, which is relatively atypical of young Polish Jazz and resembles recordings from across the pond - lush saxophone, dreamy guitar (with very strong Fusion tendencies) and romantic piano are the dominant characteristics. Having said that, the tunes are very well crafted and the music is excellently performed, arranged and recorded, so the listening experience is definitely very pleasurable.

Perhaps the idea of this album was indeed that the leader has nothing to prove and decided to record an album easy on the ear, which can be liked by a wide range of listeners mostly from outside the strict Jazz circles. I have already read several very flattering reviews of this album by some Polish "critics", which proves that Martyniuk achieved his goal in full.