Jazz

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Agnieszka Skrzypek aka Aga Zaryan | My Lullaby | Not Two Records

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Aga Zaryan (born Agnieszka Skrzypek on January 17, 1976) is an internationally recognized jazz vocalist of the new generation.

Though (in jazz terms) young, her tone and delivery carry the hallmarks of classical jazz for a modern audience and as such is part of a new wave of Polish jazz artists recognised on the international scene. She is known for her distinctive style and intimate approach to singing, with a characteristic lightness of phrasing and warm, slightly matte-toned voice. Her performances are reminiscent of such female jazz vocalists as Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae and Joni Mitchell. This year Aga Zaryan was signed to Blue Note records to join such names as such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dianne Reeves, she is also the first Polish artist ever to release albums on Blue Note Records. Zaryan has been successful in integrating ambitious artistic goals with popular appeal, recording eight albums to date, all of which have earned gold, platinum or multi-platinum status. In 2008 she was honored with the Polish recording industry’s most prestigious prize – the Fryderyk Award. She was nominated for the title of Woman of The Year 2008 by Gazeta Wyborcza, one of Poland’s most widely circulated newspapers. Aga was also named Jazz Vocalist of The Year in the European Jazz Forum’s yearly Jazz Top readers’ poll consecutively from 2007 through 2013. She has an active performance and recording schedule. Continue reading →

Arek Skolik Checkmate Quintet | Mirror Gambit | Not Two Records

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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

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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 →

Jerzy Małek | Gift | Not Two Records

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….the leaders writing and arranging work is a whole different story. His compositions have both style and the force of a standard. Heads are catchy and they don`t let go, continuing to sound in the listeners head long after the end of the record. Up tempo tunes blend in well with moody ballads, the program is all but monotonous. Moreover, Malek`s composing talent matches his arranging skills. The band sounds strong and rich throughout all of the record, and the ingenious combination of tenor and alto, makes the group sound like a mini big band… — Robert Buczek Review of Jerzego Malek`s second album, „Gift” (Not Two rec.) JAZZ FORUM

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Cezariusz Gadzina Trio | Double Heart | Not Two Records

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Cezariusz Gadzina is one of the most interesting and creative Polish musicians of his generation. He has been living in Belgium for some years now, where he is a highly esteemed musician, not only on the jazz scene but also in the world of contemporary music. He belongs to an exclusive group of alto saxophone virtuosos who can be traced directly back to the phenomenal Ornette Coleman. He has a distinctive, expressive and refined sound which, together with his original conception of playing, makes his saxophone sing with a lyrical bluesy feel. He uses his brilliant technical capabilities with restraint, and only when the music requires it, which is a feature of the greatest giants of improvisation. “Double Heart” is a generous portion of wonderful jazz in its purest form: beautiful varied compositions, charming in their clarity and melodic content, and a clear acoustic sound, combined with an outstanding – but not overstated – rhythm section. The logic and compact styles of the pieces, the clear expression and the positive vibrations make “Double Heart” one of the best jazz CDs I have heard lately. This music shatters any doubts about the future and evolution of jazz. — Jarek Smietana Continue reading →

Oleś | Mahall | Tiberian | Oleś | Contemporary Quartet | Not Two Records

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We give you a CD that is a product of our thoughts, fascinations, and several months’ hard work. The material included on it is a selection of compositions by Polish 20th-century contemporary composers, from the early post-war years up to the present hence the names Grazyna Bacewicz, Stefan Kisieleswski, Marzena Komsta, Witold Lutoslawski, and Krzysztof Penderecki show up here, as do pieces from various periods of their creativity. The choice of these, as opposed to other compositions was influenced in equal measure by our tastes/our bent towards chamber, music, as well as prosaic factors such as availabilifty of scores. All compositions on the CD used what is known as classical notation, which was our choice. We applied available contemporary compositional techniques, however, in the construction, or definition, of the form of improvisation. Despite the fact that our primary inspiration was that of the themes of the original compositions, it was in the forms of the respective pieces that we sought variation, while maintaining an affinity with 20th-century contemporary music. Thanks to the fact that it was possible to invite such outstanding improvisers as Rudi Mahall and Mircea Tiberian to participate, we were largely successful in achieving this. — Marcin & Bartlomiej “Brat” Oles Continue reading →

Jacek Kochan | Another Blowfish | Not Two Records

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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 →