Nika Lubowicz – Noc Nad Betlejem (2016)

Nika Lubowicz

Nika Lubowicz - vocals
Dawid Lubowicz - violin, viola
Jakub Lubowicz - keyboards
Sebastian Zając - accordion
Marcin Murawski - bass
Krzysztof Szmańda - drums

Noc Nad Betlejem



FOR TUNE 0114

By Adam Baruch

This is second Christmas album I am writing about this year, which is highly unusual, as I mostly keep away from Christmas albums as far as I can, not that I have anything against Christmas per se, but because Christmas albums are usually pretty atrocious musically. However, for the second time it turns out that Christmas albums can be artistic and musically fulfilling.

Polish Jazz vocalist Nika Lubowicz, a member of the famed Lubowicz clan, gathered her two brothers: violinist Dawid Lubowicz and keyboardist Jakub Lubowicz, her husband accordionist Sebastian Zając, bassist Marcin Murawski, drummer Krzysztof Szmańda and a couple of guests, and together they perform ten Christmas Carols, six of which were composed by Nika's father Stanisław Lubowicz, one by Wacław Geiger and three are traditional Carols newly arranged for this album.

The music carries the Christmas spirit, as expected, but it is also rich in wonderful arrangements, some more Jazz oriented and others less so, and of course features Nika's lovely vocals, which are always a pleasure to listen to. Everything is kept in relaxed, almost blessed atmosphere, with the music and instrumental passages working perfectly together to create a coherent, highly aesthetic message.

The music also includes some Folklore elements, related to the Polish Highlanders, who live near the southern border of the country in the Tatra Mountains and the town of Zakopane, which of course is Nika's home ground. Overall this is a gorgeous, moving album, which although Christmas oriented, is perfectly listenable any day of the year, and which emphasizes the diversity and beauty of the Polish Culture.

Nika Lubowicz – Nika's Dream (2015)

Nika Lubowicz

Nika Lubowicz - vocals
Kuba Lubowicz - keyboards
Dawid Lubowicz - violin, mandolin
Krzysztof Lenczowski - cello
Marcin Murawski - bass
Marcin Ułanowski - drums
Bogusz Wekka - percussion
Artur Gierczak - guitar
Piotr Schmidt - trumpet
Andrzej Jagodziński - piano

Nika's Dream

FOR TUNE 0065

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vocalist/composer Nika Lubowicz, who is accompanied by a very impressive group of musicians, which includes her siblings: violinist Dawid Lubowicz (Atom String Quartet) and keyboardist Jakub Lubowicz, cellist Krzysztof Lenczowski (also Atom String Quartet), bassist Marcin Murawski, drummer Marcin Ułanowski, percussionist Bogusz Wekka, guitarist Artur Gierczak and trumpeter Piotr Schmidt. Veteran pianist Andrzej Jagodziński guests on a couple of tracks. The album presents nine tracks, three of which are standards, two are by Dawid Lubowicz, another two by Krzysztof Lenczowski and yet another two by Nika Lubowicz herself. All songs feature English lyrics except for the last track which has lyrics in Polish.

From the very first notes of this album it's plainly evident that this is no ordinary vocal Jazz album. The arrangements, which in most cases feature either the violin or the cello up front alongside the vocal parts, replace the usual "vocals with piano trio" setting. The arrangements also include other unusual lineups, keeping the listener on his toes at all times. The overall atmosphere of this album is all about the essence of music, freely crossing genre boundaries, comfortably and elegantly touching upon mainstream Jazz, ethnic music, Pop and Soul with the same artistically predetermined frivolity. I even have to agree with all the compliments listed in the album's liner notes authored by Krzysztof Herdzin, which happens extremely rarely.

Nika Lubowicz uses her vocal abilities wisely and intelligently, switching between lyrics and vocalese with grace. Her vocalese parts are in fact way more impressive than her actual singing lyrics, which as always in such cases suffer from the English pronunciation, being far from ideal. The closing track sung in Polish is a sore proof of this. Luckily her singing lyrics are altogether just a minor part of the entire endeavor. I have not timed the album but about half of the album's duration is instrumental, which is highly unusual for albums involving vocals, and which is a very courageous and in this case extremely tasteful decision.

This is the second album in the "pink" (Jazz vocals) series by For Tune Records, and it is again a big time winner. Albums of such quality and obvious aesthetic approach are extremely rare and the fact that at least once a year they do materialize makes life worth living, at least for people who love music. This is definitely a most impressive debut and so far the best vocal Jazz album released this year on the Polish Jazz scene. Well done girl!

Alchemik - Acoustic Jazz Sextet (1999)

Alchemik (band)

Grzech Piotrowski - soprano sax, tenor sax, C-melody sax
Łukasz Golec - trumpet, flugelhorn, vocal
Paweł Golec - trombone, tuba, vocal
Marcin Masecki - piano, Rhodes piano
Marcin Murawski - double-bass
Robert Luty - drums

Acoustic Jazz Sextet (1999)

This is debut recording of Alchemik band and a very good one! Looking from distance of years it looks even more interesting as it featured Grzech Piotrowski who subsequently has become major figure in Polish mainstream jazz, Marcin Masecki who excels now in avantgarde while brothers Golec has made great careers in popular version of folk music. These individual inclinations of those strong personalities are clearly present in this music but at the same time enough well-balanced to bring to our ears notes as much diversified and challenging as pleasant and enjoyable!

Track listing: 1. Bulgarian Folk Tune; 2. Janicku gibki bier sie do bitki; 3. Janicek gibki; 4. Jest drożyna jest; 5. Polka Kowalewskiego; 6. Ach, mój Jasieńko; 7. Pastereczka; 8. Doliny; 9. Gaik; 10. Opowieść o grusze co niemiła była i zgniła; 11. Chodzi lisek koło drogi; 12. Zgniła grucha; 13. Jeziora-piosenka z Mazur; 14. Tusz...dla wytrwałych

Author: Maciej Nowotny (http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html)

Alchemik - Sfera Szeptów (Empik Jazz, 2001)

Alchemik
Grzech Piotrowski – soprano saxophone, sopranino

Marcin Masecki – piano
Marcin Murawski – bass
Robert Luty – drums
Jan Pilch – percussion
Barbara Witkowska – harp
Chamber String Ensemble Alchemik – String Quartet

Empik Jazz, 2001

I often use label "smooth jazz" as synonymous of unambitious and bad jazz. But to be honest I am wrong: ANY music may be good or bad, regardless labels which we decide to attach to it. And this album is a very good example of that!

Although verging between smooth jazz and nu jazz therefore using all-well-known harmonies and arrangements, yet it is graciously composed and performed. It is creating relaxing background to comfortable armchair, dimmed lights and evening rest or meditation...

Apart from Grzech Piotrowski whose play on soprano saxophone and sopranino resembles a lot that of Jan Garbarek, I was interested in Marcin Masecki's performance on piano. His recordings with Piotrowski were one of the first in his career: his play on this album is good but pretty much fits in general mood of delicacy and sweetness. Therefore it is even more commendable that in years to come he has been able to dramatically change and develop his musical language which is evidenced by such excellent albums like Pink Freud's "Alchemia" (2007) or his solo "John" (2010). A great example for other young Polish jazz players to follow!

Author of text: Maciej Nowotny (http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html)

Check this video to get to know about the general mood of this music: