Kratisa Q - "Flare"

Kratisa Q

Dimitrios Hartwich-Vrazas – saksofony
Maja Babyszka – fortepian
Jan Jerzy Kołacki – kontrabas
Jakub Jugo – perkusja

Album's title: "Flare"

Label: self-released (2025)

Review author: Viačeslavas Gliožeris

Polish Jazz Blog Focus on Debut

Kratisa Q is a new Wrocław-Gdansk-based quartet; there is not much information available about the members. All of them are young professional musicians. Sax player Dimitrios Hartwich-Vrazas is most likely responsible for a strong Greek ethos influence in the album's music; he also enjoys playing chess. Pianist Maja Babyszka adds a classic touch besides jazzy piano chops, and she explores Jungian psychology. Double-bassist Jan Jerzy Kołacki generates groovy bass vibes; he plays in the Wrocław Philharmonic NMF Orchestra and is interested in quantum physics. Finally, Jakub Jugo plays percussion; he likes Caucasus kitchen and plays chess too.

Quartet's debut contains three Greek authors' songs and five members' originals. The opener, “Hymn To The Muse”, which comes from the Roman Greek poet and composer Mesomedes. Still, the quartet's version, even if strongly spiced with Greek motifs, recalls more Aphrodities Child's early 70s Greek-influenced prog than ancient Greece. Dimitrios' sax sounds often like a flute when the rhythm section builds a high-energy wall of sound. “Kratisa Ti Zoi Mou” is a renowned Greek XX century's composer Mikis Theodorakis work. This lyrical ballad of sorts sounds passionate, scented with gentle freer sax squeaks. Theodorakis' monumentalism is obviously feelable though. Finally, the closer, “(1370) Tout' Oi Mpatsoi Pou 'rthan Tora” comes from Giannakis Ioannidis, a Greek composer from pre WWII era. Originally quite a passionate trad song, here on this album it sounds as elegant percussive ballad. All three compositions, even if rooted in Greek musical legacy, sound really modern.

Of the five originals, three come from the bassist, Jan Jerzy Kołacki. “Downbeat” is a tuneful mid-tempo song, led by soloing sax, with a beautiful jazzy piano on the back. “The Minor” starts like a melancholic ballad, but soon switches to a nervous dance with changing rhythms and slightly dissonant sax. “Untitla” is the jazziest album's composition, with post-bop piano dueling against the soloing sax, very nice.

The only pianist, Maja Babyszka's composition, “Tomorrow Island”, is a bit dreamy mid-tempo piece with a light chamber feel, which is well outweighed by energetic and groovy bass and drums. Dramatic and beautiful, without being pathetic. Sax player Dimitrios Hartwich-Vrazas' composition “13 Angry Greeks” offers a passionate fusion with Greek ethos elements, still very contemporary and well-rounded.

As a debut, “Flare” shows young artists' great potential. The album offers highly accessible music without trying to be accessible. There are some different ideas and successful realizations, wondering which one the artists will choose in the future to develop as their own style and face.