Imagination Quartet – Imagination Quartet (2011)

Michal Soltan - guitar
Damian Pinkowski - saxophone
Dariusz Switalski - bass
Maciej Dziedzic - drums

ANACONDA 001





By Adam Baruch

This is the excellent eponymous debut album by the young Polish Jazz-Rock / Fusion group Imagination Quartet, which comprises of guitarist Michal Soltan, saxophonist Damian Pinkowski, bassist Dariusz Switalski and drummer Maciej Dziedzic. The album includes eleven original compositions, seven by Soltan, two by Dziedzic, one co-composed by these two and one credited to the entire quartet.

The group's music is an interesting mixture of Fusion and Modern Jazz, which allows for a wider degree of freedom in the improvisation than the rigid constraints of straight-forward Fusion. As a result the album is full of surprisingly interesting moments and unexpected ventures. In spite of the fact that these are young and relatively inexperienced musicians, the level of performance and stylistic sophistication is quite surprising. That, combined with some first-rate compositions and the youthful vigor turns this album into a most pleasurable listening experience. As usual, most of the solo performances are by the two front-men (guitar and sax), but the members of the rhythm section get some splendid opportunities to shine as well.

As far as debut albums go, this is definitely a very promising one, which will hopefully be followed by more mature statements on the future. Judging by the overall excellent level of this release, Imagination Quartet has all the necessary ingredients to make things happen.

This album is recommended to all Fusion fans, which are open-minded enough to accept a different approach to the genre, which digs deeper than most contemporary releases on the scene. Definitely worth investigation!

Imagination Quartet - Imagination Quartet (Ananconda, 2011)

Imagination Quartet (band)

Michał Sołtan – guitar
Damian Pińkowski – tenor saxophone
Dariusz Świtalski – bass guitar
Maciej Dziedzic – drums

Imagination Quartet (Ananconda, 2011)

The only musician I know in this debuting band is drummer Maciej Dziedzic whose play on Dwoothoo's album "Space Pressures" is however a very good recommendation. Other young musicians creating this music are "tabula rasa" for me. But Michał Sołtan on guitar, Dariusz Świtalski on bass and Damian Pinkowski on tenor saxophone they all prove to be all accomplished musicians. Music that is flowing from my speakers is more than satisfactory and it shows great potential for future. It does not mean that this album is flawless.  For example I feel that it could be shorter, more dynamic and coherent. Moreover I admire that it contains all originals penned mostly by Sołtan and Dziedzic but not all songs are equally catching. Speaking shortly, this album needs some refinement, perhaps more depth and maturity but it definitely augurs well for their next projects!

Author: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html

Dwootho - Space Pressures (2010)

This is debut recording let me therefore start with names of musicians as it is proper to introduce them first: Marek Tarnowski (accordion, hammond organ), Tomasz Piątek (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Bartosz Łuczkiewicz (bass), Maciej Dziedzic (drums, percussion) plus Natalia Gllińska (vocal) as a guest. Certainly very interesting still this record is not easy to classify or judge as it melts in one pot flavors rarely heard together. I would rather avoid to name musical genres which echo in this recording (folk, rock, club music and many other) because I feel that the only label describing properly this music is one of jazz which was once defined as simply "sound of surprise". 

Neither mainstream nor avantgarde this music is eluding all classifications and shall not be overlooked by anyone who values creativity, courage and individuality as expressed in melodies and rhythms.

After saying so many nice things about this recording and its authors let me add a small knock. Though I like music on this album I still feel that sometimes artists slump into what is too obvious, easy and predictable. Bass line become at times too mechanical, sax play too sexy, drums somewhat run of mill and only Marek Tarnowski on his accordion never ceases to surprise and amaze. It is done perhaps in order to provide music more accessible for larger audience. Not a bad idea for debut recording but as far as I am concerned I would expect something more free and improvisational next time to make my interest in this band and its music permanent.   

Please listen to a song titled Balkan Groove:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm9W7-NTEFY&feature=player_embedded