The Owl - Improcode (2020)

The Owl

Marcin Hałat - violin
Maciej Garbowski - double bass
Krzysztof Gradziuk - drums
Pablo Held - piano

Improcode

FSR 2020/21

By Adam Baruch

This is the second album by Polish Jazz trio The Owl, comprising of violinist/composer Marcin Hałat, bassist Maciej Garbowski and drummer Krzysztof Gradziuk. On this album they expanded the lineup to a quartet with the addition of German pianist Pablo Held. The album presents nine original compositions, three of which were composed by Hałat and six are group improvisations, credited to all four participants.

The music on this album is split between two almost separate environments, the almost "classic" Jazz on the composed pieces and the completely free spirited improvised pieces, which fit together rather well and provide a much more structured listening ambience than most strictly Improvised Music recordings.

The addition of Held had a major impact on the overall sound and musical approach of the trio in comparison to their debut album recorded almost three years earlier, all for the good of the music. On the three composed pieces Held is able to weave a wonderful melodic layer and on the freely improvised pieces his contributions become a wonderfully expressive and balancing element, full of self confidence and clear musical vision.

Hałat made a significant progress since his early days in the Free Jazz realm (i.e. on the debut album) and managed to embrace the freedom of improvisation without clinging to his Classical background as before, which takes this album another step further towards the bona fide Improvised Music idiom. Of course the rhythm section is feeling like a pair of whales in the ocean, which is hardly surprising considering their long-lasting experience in the field.

Overall this is a most welcome sophomore outing by the trio and a superb collaboration with the guest pianist, combining the best of what these four wonderful musicians have to offer. Considering the exquisite sound quality of this complex music, which enables every detailed nuance to be perfectly audible, this album is a true feast for the ears and surely one of the best Improvised Music albums released in 2020.

One can only hope we won't have to wait for another three years to hear again from The Owl and hopefully to meeting with Held will lead to further future recordings - a trio by Held and the RGG rhythm section sounds salivating. Well done Gentlemen!