Michał Lewartowicz Quartet feat. Adam Wendt - Inspirations (2021)

Michał Lewartowicz Quartet feat. Adam Wendt

Michał Lewartowicz - guitar
Adam Wendt - saxophones
Rafał Czarnacki - keyboards
Jarosław Żarnowski - bass
Paweł Nowak - drums

Inspirations

SJ 053

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Fusion guitarist Michał Lewartowicz recorded with his quartet, which also includes keyboardist Rafał Czarnacki, bassist Jarosław Żarnowski and drummer Paweł Nowak. Saxophonist Adam Wendt guests on five tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Lewartowicz.

The music is typical Fusion, based on solid, very melodic compositions, full of catchy riffs, well put together and not less impressive than any music of this kind made across the pond in the last four decades or so. These young musicians know their stuff and are able to express the Fusion Groove like clockwork. Lewartowicz is familiar with all the tricks of the trade and has all the sound gadgets one would expect to be in his arsenal. The rest of the quartet follows suit and veteran Wendt shows that his chops are completely up to date.

Overall this is a perfect Fusion album, that fans of the idiom will love to bits for sure. The music is catchy, the playing impressive and professional, and it is fun to listen to. It is definitely a solid debut album, reflecting the inspirations that guided Lewartowicz so far. One can only hope that now, once Lewartowicz proved his abilities, his future projects will move forward towards more ambitious territories, since honestly Fusion has not moved an inch since it was first invented a very long time ago.

Quindependence - Circumstances (2017)

Quindependence

Krzysztof Matejski - saxophones, flute
Dominik Borek - trumpet, flugelhorn
Michał Salamon - piano
Miłosz Skwirut - bass
Paweł Nowak - drums

Circumstances


PRIVATE EDITION 5908254159688

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz ensemble Quindependence which comprises of saxophonist/flautist Krzysztof Matejski, trumpeter Dominik Borek, pianist Michał Salamon, bassist Miłosz Skwirut and drummer Paweł Nowak. The album presents seven tracks, four of which are original compositions (two each by Skwirut and Salamon), another two are arrangements of the first two of the fascinating seven piano pieces by Erik Satie called Gnossiennes and the last is a Polish Jazz standard by Zbigniew Namysłowski.

The music is modern melodic mainstream Jazz, with excellent original compositions and quite unusual complexity, which offers an excellent listening adventure. Although still full of the typical Polish lyricism and melancholy, the music goes beyond the typical conventions and boldly steps into new territory, which even much more established ensembles of this king rarely visit.

The instrumental proficiency of these young players is also quite astounding, both on the individual level and as an ensemble. The complex music flows naturally and coherently, allowing for plenty of soloing opportunities and even some free form ensemble improvisation. Salamon, who is both a gifted composer and beautifully lyrical pianist (well remembered from the albums by F.O.U.R.S. Collective or Monosies ensemble), sets the harmonic anchor for the proceedings and the horns deliver plenty of fiery moments. Skwirut not only keeps the music on track by his bass pulsations but also offers his two superb compositions, which are the most challenging pieces herein.

Overall this is a wonderful debut album, which was sadly lost somewhere amongst the multitude of the excellent Polish Jazz releases at the time. Since the album was not followed by other releases, I assume it is not active any more, which is a pity. I have no idea how it arrived on my desk four years after it was released, but better late than never is absolutely true in this case as well.

Almost Jazz Group - Fade Out (2017)

Almost Jazz Group

Paweł Nowak - accordion
Ignacy Jan Wiśniewski - piano
Maciej Sadowski - double bass
Antoni Wojnar - drums

Fade Out

WOOD AND MOOD 0005



By Adam Baruch

This is the third album by the Polish quartet called Almost Jazz Group, led by accordionist/composer Paweł Nowak and pianist/composer Ignacy Jan Wiśniewski. The rhythm section comprises of bassist Maciej Sadowski and drummer Antoni Wojnar. The album presents eight original compositions: two each by Nowak and Wiśniewski, three by Sadowski and one by Wojnar.

The quartet's name accurately describes the music that it presents, which is borderline Jazz, based on melodic themes which serve as basis for the improvisations, which are very tamed and stay within the strict mainstream idiom, bordering on Groove, Smooth Jazz and even Pop. Nevertheless the music is very well composed, coherent and harmonically pleasing, without being trivial or crossing over to kitsch.

Personally I love the accordion's sound and regret it is such a neglected instrument in Jazz, in spite of its enormous potential. The subtle balance between the accordion and the piano creates a wonderful atmosphere, which suits both the melancholic ballads and the swinging pieces. The bass supports the soloist amicably and very accurately, adding a crucial ingredient to the music. The drums are a bit too Rocky at times for this kind of music, but nothing dramatic which would break the charm. Both Nowak and Wisniewski play excellently and with obvious emotional involvement.

Overall this is a very pleasant, somewhat nostalgic album, very well recorded, which offers a splendid listening experience to connoisseurs of the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but still being honest, superbly played and definitely worthy of listening. I had a great fun listening to it and I'm sure it will work for many other listeners as well – recommended!