Wojciech Staroniewicz A'Freak-aN Project - Live In Gdańsk (2019)

Wojciech Staroniewicz A'Freak-aN Project

Wojtek Staroniewicz - saxophone
Przemek Dyakowski - saxophone
Darek Herbasz - saxophone
Marcin Janek - saxophone
Dominik Bukowski - vibraphone
Janusz Mackiewicz - bass
Roman Ślefarski - drums
Larry Okey Ugwu - percussion


Live In Gdańsk

Allegro 038

By Adam Baruch

This is the third album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Wojciech Staroniewicz and his A`Freak-aN Project ensemble, which is an octet featuring a saxophone quartet and an extended rhythm section: Staroniewicz on tenor, Przemek Dyakowski on tenor, Dariusz Herbasz on baritone, Marcin Janek on soprano, Dominik Bukowski on vibraphone, Janusz Mackiewicz on bass, Roman Ślefarski on drums and Larry Okey Ugwu on percussion. The album, which was recorded live at Radio Gdańsk, presents seven compositions, two of which are originals by Staroniewicz, four are by Krzysztof Komeda and one is by McCoy Tyner, all arranged by Staroniewicz.

This album is in fact a live version of the previous album by the ensemble from 2015, called "A'Freak-Komeda Project", except for the Tyner track. Therefore basically everything I wrote about that album applies also here - just click on the link.

As Staroniewicz says on the album's artwork, this album is a great opportunity to compare the same music recorded in studio and live, which of course can be very different. The live concert setting offers much more dynamics and excitement and expanded improvisations, but is prone to minor "mishaps", which in retrospect are usually simply charming.

Since the Komeda arrangements are really very special, I recommend to Polish Jazz enthusiasts to put their hands on this album as well and compare these versions with the studio ones, and enjoy a great live album with excellent musicians on board.

Wojciech Staroniewicz – A`FreAK-aN Project (2011)

Wojtek Staroniewicz - saxophone, leader
Przemek Dyakowski - saxophone
Darek Herbasz - saxophone
Irek Wojtczak - saxophone
Dominik Bukowski - marimba, vibraphone, kalimba
Janusz Mackiewicz - bass
Adam Czerwinski - drums
Larry Okey Ugwu - percussion
Slawomir Berny - percussion

ALLEGRO 021

By Adam Baruch

This is a very interesting concept album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech Staroniewicz, dedicated to African music. Staroniewicz assembled an unusual lineup, fronted by a four-saxophone brass section: himself on tenor, Przemek Dyakowski on tenor, Dariusz Herbasz on baritone and Irek Wojtczak on tenor and soprano saxophones. There are no keyboards, as appropriate for African music, which are replaced by typical African instruments like marimba and kalimba, with some vibraphone, all played by Dominik Bukowski. The rhythm section comprises of bassist Janusz Mackiewicz and drummer Adam Czerwinski and two percussionists complete the lineup: Larry Okey Ugwu and Slawomir Berny. The album includes seven original compositions, all by the leader, and was recorded "live" in the studio.

Rather than copying obvious African elements, Staroniewicz creates a set of compositions, which are African more in spirit than in form, a task which is most commendable and of course much more difficult. The brass arrangements sound similar to African Brass Bands, mostly those from Southern part of the continent, but what is most impressive, is that Staroniewicz presents Africa as a whole, with music influences originating from all the four corners of the Black Continent – North with its Middle-Eastern flavor, West with its typical rhythm signatures, East with its enchanting expressive melodies and South with its highly energetic, danceable spirit. The decision not to include keyboards, especially electronic ones, adds significantly to the authenticity and genuineness of the overall result.

Although obviously a team effort, especially in light of the live recording circumstances, there are plenty of great solos by all the players involved. These are all experienced and talented musicians, mostly leaders of their own ensembles and the common strength of their conglomerated effort is quite impressive. One should note that although this is obviously a Jazz-World Fusion album, the ethnic elements are not dominating the basic Jazz feel and order of things here, which happens so often in this genre. After all these are European musicians, who grew up on European aesthetics and heritage, and for them pretending to be native Africans would be ridiculous. Therefore this subtle and intelligent approach is much more effective.

In addition to the great musical content the album is also beautifully packaged and the graphic design of the digipak enclosure is simply wonderful and highly original, which proves how much thought and love went into making this album.

Highly recommended to Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts, who should enjoy this music wholeheartedly and repeatedly, discovering the many layers it has to offer. Nice stuff!

Dariusz Herbasz – Joy Of Friendship (2012)

Dariusz Herbasz - saxophone
Tomasz Grzegorski - saxophone
Piotr Mania - piano
Adam Zuchowski - bass
Tomasz Sowinski - drums

MULTIKULTI MPI 024




By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album as a leader by Polish Jazz saxophonist Dariusz Herbasz and his double tenor saxophone quintet, which also includes saxophonist Tomasz Grzegorski, pianist Piotr Mania, bassist Adam Zuchowski and drummer Tomasz Sowinski. The album comprises of six original compositions, all by Herbasz and was recorded at the superb Tokarnia Studio with engineer Jan Smoczynski presiding.

If I would have been subjected to listening to this album in a blindfold test situation, I would be sure this is an unknown recording of mid 1960s Blue Note period, as this music has the distinctive feel of modern mainstream, which flourished at the time and was captured for posterity by Rudy Van Gelder. The warmth and presence of the overall sound and the crisp piano sound are quite remarkable.

But of course there is also the music, which stylistically returns to that wonderful period that summarized the Jazz tradition bringing it to sheer perfection on one hand and opening doors for the free form just wide enough to make it interesting on the other hand. These wonderful compositions are truly grand on every level; there are some beautiful melancholic melodies, several great vamps, and a strange feeling of familiarity even upon the first hearing. I must admit that it's been a while since I've heard a collection of such superbly crated tunes on one album.

Herbasz takes a considerable risk with the double tenor saxophone frontline, since such setting is often prone to clashes and outright contest rather than cooperation, but also opens intriguing opportunities of harmonizing and completing each other. It's a pleasure to hear how well this situation was handled here, enabling both players to solo as well as play together in a variety of quite distinct musical surroundings and atmospheres. Both saxophonists [lay remarkably well, both when simply stating the lyricism of a melody or venturing into almost free form excursions.

The rhythm section is excellent as well, providing the ideal support for the soloists and framing the musical expressions with just the right amount of direction, allowing space for less constrained experimentation at times. The pianist is an ideal harmonizer and his vamping is a classic form obviously learned from the best. Bass is round, clear and worm and the drums play exactly the amount of time keeping to keep everything tick, with some great topping of inventive drumming. The overall dynamic sensitivity of the entire rhythm section is simply just what the doctor ordered to make the music perfect.

This is a remarkable debut and a brilliant Jazz album, which comprises of everything that makes Jazz such a great music: it's interesting, artistic, intelligent, well played and above all honest, simply stating the artist's credo and not trying to be something it isn't. Well done indeed!

Piotr Lemanczyk - Follow The Soul (2003)

Piotr Lemanczyk - acoustic bass

Janusz Muniak - tenor saxophone
Przemek Dyakowski - tenor saxophone
Wojciech Staroniewicz - tenor saxophone
Maciej Sikala - tenor saxophone
Dariusz Herbasz - tenor saxophone
Maciej Grzywacz - guitar
Dominik Bukowski - vibraphone
Tomasz Sowiñski - drums

Follow The Soul (2003)

"In his decision to go for the double bass, Lemanczyk followed the voice of his soul. You can hear it in each and every note of "Follow the Soul". His performance is characterized by a strong and resolute attack on the string, a deep and full tone, precision of articulation, melodic invention [...]. There is something more, however, that Lemanczyk can do - both as a musician and a composer - he can stigmatise the music with his personality, create an atmosphere and sound, which makes you want to listen to the piece once again."

Krzysztof Kuczkowski - "Gitara i bas" 5/2003 (65)

"Despite the fact that it is the bassist that is the author of the album, he remains in the background, limiting his activity to playing the role of the band's backbone. His double bass has a wonderfully succulent sound, resolutely punctuates whatever their colleagues are doing, ensuring that all the blank spaces are filled. Lemanczyk's fascination with the acoustic instrument started a relatively short time ago. Before that his soul had been sold to the bass guitar, which adds even more to the admiration at what he has achieved so far."

Jaroslaw Kurek - "Kuryer Sopocki" 11 July 2003

Tracklist:

1. Virga
2. Shy king of the village
3. Take 74
4. You don't know what love is
5. White lake
6. My little M.
7. Blues for Aga

Janusz Mackiewicz Quartet - Uklad Scalony (Soliton, 2009)

Janusz Mackiewicz Quartet (band)

Darek Herbasz - tenor and baritone saxophones
Dominik Bukowski - vibraphone, marimba

Janusz Mackiewicz - double bass
Michał Szczeblewski - drums

Układ Scalony (Soliton, 2009)

Death of a sideman, birth of a leader. That's how in short may be described this stage of a career of bassist Janusz Mackiewicz. Few musicians are able to travel that way and even fewer, like Mackiewicz, do that with a success. His debut in this new role was "Frogsville" released in 2008 but with this album he goes even further. Where? Towards ambitious mainstream jazz, marked by interesting compositions of the leader (all originals!), high quality of interplay between musicians whose exceptional skills are beyond question and occasionally looking towards distant shore of avantgarde. What else is needed to make such a simple-minded listener as I am happy?  

Listen to piece of his music from aforementioned "Frogsville:

Author: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html

Marcin Wadołowski Quintet - Git Majonez (Soliton, 2011)

Marcin Wadołowski Quintet (band)

Marcin Wądołowski - guitar

Adam Czerwiński - drums

Darek Herbasz - saxophone

Janusz Mackiewicz - doublebass

Piotr Mania - piano

Git Majonez (Soliton, 2011)

I was very curious about this recording, good opinions about it reached me from many directions. The explanation of this good opinions is simple: album's strongest side are melodies, all penned by a leader, guitarist Marcin Wądołowski. He really deserves accolade for them as one after another the tunes keep listener attached to speakers, the music flows so captivating, so well played, so light and warm that it is impossible to stop. Moreover it is all very well played, musicianship is at astonishing level and to no surprise since  players participating in this session are from first ranks in Polish jazz: Piotr Mania on piano, Adam Czerwiński on drums, Darek Herbasz on saxophone and Janusz Mackiewicz on double-bass, they all play perfectly. So summarizing it is decent debut album although I am a bit worried where Marcin Wądołowski will go from this point? If he continues to play even prettier and sweeter on his next albums he will soon find himself on smooth side of jazz. And I am not sure this is the turn of events he desires most... 

Small display of Marcin Wądołowski on guitar:

Author: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl

Wojciech Staroniewicz - Afreakan Project (2011)

By Maciej Nowotny

When I put CD containing the newest Wojciech Staroniewicz album in my Marantz player and music began to flow from Tannoy loud speakers my wife which happened to pass through our living room exclaimed: "At least!" "What?" - I asked. She answered: "At least some music normal people can listen to...".

So my beloved free jazz discs were put aside and "Afreakan" reigns in my CD-player since then and to my own delight  since although mainstream it is so light-hearted, so exhilarating and so well played that I cannot stop  listening to this music which is simply no less than pure joy. 

Apart from Wojciech Staroniewicz who is mastering his tenor saxophone, you will find here as sidemen great musicians indeed like: Przemek Dyakowski (tenor saxophone), Darek Herbasz (baritone saxophone), Irek Wojtczak (tenor and soprano saxophone), Dominik Bukowski (marimba, vibraphone, kalimba), Janusz Mackiewicz (bass), Adam Czerwiński (drums, udu drum, african cowbell), Larry Okey Ugwu (african percussion - bass jembe, osha, chekere, agogo, ekwe) and Sławomir Berny (percussion - darabuka, bongos, marakas, shaker, cabasa, cowbell). From listing of instruments you can very well say that this time Staroniewicz venture on African safari succesfully blending typical Polish jazz virtuosity and musicality with etno climates. These excursions of Polish musicians toward so-called world music are recently more and more often with excellent example of this tendency being "El Buscador" by Adam Pierończyk. In both instances these trips are very attractive although Pierończyk moved in avantgarde direction while Staroniewicz has rather smooth jazz azimuth. However both are so well done that I cannot do anything else but recommend them together to any jazz loving heart.    

Although I have no music from this album please listen to fragment of concert with material from his previous album titled "Alternations" evidencing how high level these musicians represent.
Update: a song from new album now available. Check this link - fantastic indeed!!!