Robert Szewczuga Trio – Moonrise (2018)

Robert Szewczuga Trio

Robert Szewczuga - bass
Michał Rorat - keyboards
Paweł Dobrowolski - drums

Moonrise

METAL MIND 0788




By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album as a leader by young Polish bassist Robert Szewczuga, recorded in a trio setting with keyboardist Michał Rorat and drummer Paweł Dobrowolski. Several guest musicians are featured on selected tracks. The album presents ten original compositions, presumably all by Szewczuga, although that is not mentioned on the album's artwork.

The music is all within the Fusion/Funk/Groove framework, based on solid melodies, which serve as vehicles for the lengthy improvisations, mostly by the leader. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sound quality add to the overall effect, creating an album that is a real pleasure to listen to from start to finish.

Szewczuga makes sure that his electric bass playing remains the focal point of this recording, playing with virtuosity and vigor that bring fond memories of Jaco Pastorius' work. Both Rorat and Dobrowolski stand shoulder to shoulder with the leader and support him exactly as appropriate within this environment, emphasizing the Funk and Groove elements. The track featuring Apostolis Anthimos on guitar is a classic Fusion tune and a great example of what can still be achieved in that idiom today. The track featuring the vocalist Ghostman is a wonderful reminder of his quality and a longing for more of his recorded work.

Overall this is an excellent album, which is fun to listen to and proudly represents the role of electric bass in contemporary music, which sadly is often overlooked. Szewczuga's exquisite sensitivity, which is well demonstrated by his work as a sideman, is even more prominent herein. For electric bassists and fans of the instrument this is an absolute must, an orgy of talent and virtuosity. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Apostolis Anthimos - Parallel Worlds (2018)

Apostolis Anthimos

Piotr Matusik - keyboards
Olaf Węgier - saxophone
Robert Szewczuga - bass
Apostolis Anthimos - drums, guitar

Parallel Worlds

METAL MIND 0786



By Adam Baruch

This is the fifth album by Polish (of Greek origins) guitarist / drummer / composer Apostolis Anthimos, mostly familiar as the lead guitarist of the legendary Polish power trio SBB, but also active in other music fields, as this album's title perhaps suggests. On this album Anthimos plays guitar and drums and is accompanied by bassist Robert Szewczuga, keyboardist Piotr Matusik and saxophonist Olaf Węgier. A couple of vocalists appear as guests on one track each. The album presents fourteen original compositions, presumably all by Anthimos, since nothing is explicitly stated on the album's artwork.

The music is quite different from what Anthimos is usually associated with, presenting mostly melodic Jazz, some Fusion and World Music, all very delicate and subdued. The focus of this album is fully directed on Anthimos the composer, especially in view of the fact that his guitar playing here is limited, and he plays drums on all tracks instead. The guitar is prominently featured mostly on the title track and sparingly on a few other tracks, which again points out, that the concept was to show a different facet of Anthimos' Music. His fully blossomed composing skills result in a superb collection of wonderful melodies, all of which are skillfully weaved and harmonically coherent.

The performances are all excellent and with the absence of Anthimos' guitar, the soloing is mostly the responsibility of Matusik and Węgier, both of whom show exceptional skills and taste. Szewczuga lays exquisite layers of bass statements, which round up the sound of the quartet and Anthimos drives the rhythmic pulsations flawlessly.

Overall this is a wonderful melodic, mostly Jazz album, with excellent compositions and outstanding performances, which should keep every Jazz connoisseur extremely happy. People used to Anthimos' Rock and Fusion explorations might be surprised to hear this album but if they have any taste and music understanding they should accept this simply as another facet of their idol's musical personality! Lakis ευχαριστώ for this great music!