Atomic | Bikini Tapes | No Business Records

Like “Boom Boom” this is a reissue of Atomic’s long out of print 3CD box “Bikini Tapes”. It includes the best pieces from their tour in Europe in 2004 and remains one of the groups’ best releases. It is released as a tripple gatefold numbered vinyl with an original graphic work on the cover. A real bomb for the fans of great jazz music. Limited to only 300 copies. Be quick. Continue reading

Henry Kuntz | IINFIINIITY

Multi-track recordings have been an essential means of expression for me since 1989. Within pieces that are unique in sound, multi-cultural context, and instrumental combination, I’ve been able to showcase and synthesize those musical elements that are most important to me: independence of line, textural complexity, and equality of instrumentation and mix, The process of multi-track creation has been an ongoing musical exploration and experiment, the results of which have consistently surprised and delighted me. I hope you enjoy listening.” — Henry Kuntz (March 2010) Continue reading

Piotr Wyleżoł | Adam Kowalewski | Łukasz Żyta | Yearning | Not Two Records

There are weather phenomena that make my mood metaphysical. It could be heavy rain that sometimes happens in spring. It magnifies smells of blossoming flowers into erotic perfume. Or wind which in summer comes suddenly from the mountain interior and falls on the seashore. It makes crowded beach deserted in just few moments except for few souls that felt lost among the mob and then they seemed to regain their balance in that wind. Or, like at this specific moment, when from winter sky come down, very slowly, majestically, snow flakes as big as ice chalices. And I ask myself what happened up there, have they lost their minds as we did so long ago? And there is nobody sane in universe, nobody to take care of “harmony of spheres”? — Maciej Nowotny Continue reading

Custom Trio | Back Point | Not Two Records

Krzysztof Kapel – tenor & soprano sax | Marcin OleÂś – double-bass | BartÂłomiej Brat OleÂś – drums | Maciej SikaÂła – tenor sax (6) Produced by Oles & Oles. Executive producer: Marek Winiarski. Recorded by Jacek Hajnrych. Recorded June 30, 2000 except track 6 October 23, 2001, Studio Radio Kielce. Design by Mariusz Kulan. Continue reading

Arek Skolik Checkmate Quintet | Mirror Gambit | Not Two Records

Why Jazz? Is it still worth listening to in today’s world? Yes, especially today! Not only is it worth listening to, it should be! Not instead of, but in addition to other good music. Only then will that, which is so important in Jazz for today’s listeners, come to the foreground and become clear. And what is it that’s so important to us in today’s Jazz? Everything that Jazz is, but mainly the way this music is created – it’s probably the only kind of music that is still improvised. The theme and improvisations, each member of the band playing solo and together – this is the kind of Jazz we want. Everyone, musicians and audience alike, awaits the solos, when each soloist has the opportunity and the freedom for self-expression – unconstrained performance of his own interpretation of the theme which doesn’t disrupt, but adds to the cohesion of the music. — Marek Gachowski Continue reading

Interzone Jazzorchestra | Transylvanian Grace | Not Two Records

The music on this album wants to reflect the great musical heritage of Romanian and especially Transylvanian folklore. The traditional songs are taken from the “Lautari” and vilagers’ repertoire, which you can still hear on weedings celebrations and in the village bars around the Carpathians The original compositions are written under the strong sensual impressions of our mutual trips through the Transylvanian highlands in the years 1997-2000. Enjoy the Music! — Maurice de Martin & Mircea Tiberian Continue reading

Jacek Kochan | Another Blowfish | Not Two Records

The dexterous Wojtasik is a relaxed and thoughtful improviser who seems more comfortable in the midrange of his horn. The equally articulate Vloeimans has a more piercing sound, and he’s more into using mutes as part of his bag of tricks. By mixing tempos and rhythmic feels while exploiting the contrasting sounds of Vloeimans and Wojtasik, the set maintains interst throughout. Donato, with a huge and round sound, is like a rock, the solid core of the performances. Kochan is more laid-back then usual, urgent as ever but leaving most of the solo space to the horns. The yaunty “Do You Really Need All This Money” is one of the highlights, as Vloeimans and Wojtasik go at it head to head. Truth is that there’s barely a dull moment on this disc. Come for the novelty of the lineup, but stay for the fine music. — Stuart Kremsky (Cadence) Continue reading