Switch On Quintet – Our Car Will Never Stop (2010) ****

Maciej Fortuna - trumpet
Marcin Kajper - saxophone
Jakub Kujawa - guitar
Michal Rybka - bass
Bogumil Romanowski - drums

FM 003





By Adam Baruch

This is an excellent debut album by Polish Jazz-Rock Fusion Switch On Quintet which comprises of young musicians making their early stepson the local scene: trumpeter Maciej Fortuna, saxophonist Marcin Kajper, guitarist Jakub Kujawa, bassist Michal Rybka and drummer Bogumil Romanowski. They perform eleven original compositions, four by Romanowski, three by Fortuna, three by Kajper / Kujawa and the remaining one by Kajper. Keyboardist Michal Szlempo guests on selected tracks.

The music is a superb fresh approach to Fusion, which balances the Jazzy sound and feel of the brass with the Rocky sound and feel of the electric guitar, which although reminiscent of the legendary Chicago, is completely up to date and kicks ass like mad. To be perfectly honest I haven't heard such great Fusion in a very long time and this album is real treat. What a pity it remains almost completely obscure. These young Polish cats could teach a thing or two to all those wannabe American Fusion players, who constantly flood the marked with Fusion garbage.

As usual on the Polish scene the level of virtuosity displayed by the musicians is astounding, especially in view of their age. Fortuna's fiery solos soar through the air with incredible intensity, Kujawa's distorted guitar rips the air and its Bluesy undertones break your heart and Kajper's saxophone (especially the soprano) twist and turn like a snake on acid. The rhythm section kicks exactly when and where needed, keeping the ride right on time and your feet tapping uncontrollably.

Honestly this is one of the best Fusion albums I've heard in a long time and an absolute joyous musical ride, highly recommended to all Fusion heads out there. Fortuna, who since recording this album produces already a plethora of superb Jazz and other music, shows here his incredible versatility and I hope he'll return to play his chops in a Fusion environment again. Not to be missed!

Switch On Quintet - Our Car Will Never Stop (2010)

Switch On Quintet

Maciej Fortuna – trąbka, fluegelhorn
Marcin Kajper – saksofony
Jakub Kujawa – gitary
Michał Rybka – gitara basowa
Bogumił Romanowski – perkusja

Our Car Will Never Stop (2010)

Maciej Fortuna is one of these young musicians which has made recent years on Polish jazz so exciting. In a very short time he recorded such great albums as mainstream "Lost Keys" (2010) and "Solar Ring" (2012) or experimental "1" (2012). Highly acclaimed by critics and beginning to be recognized by local audience he quickly has become a force to be reckoned with in our music.

This album shortly pre-dates "Lost Keys" and may be seen as kind of test made before album. Music is well played and tunes are diversified but Fortuna yet stays a bit withdrawn, not enough self-assured to step fully forward as a leader. It is obvious that through recordings like this one he gathered strenght for this big leap forward he made just few months later. In fact the music on this disc sounds as if he had just started to bounce and occasionally fly away... For such moments it is really worthy to listen to this album.

By Maciej Nowotny
http://kochamjazz.blox.pl



Track listing:
1 Remember The Dog
2 Parap
3 4KT
4 Mr Mijagi
5 Don't Scare The Butterfly
6 Reunite
7 About Missing
8 Our Car Will Never Stop
9 Lost In Saigon
10 Locker One
11 Night