Marcin Wasilewski Trio – January – ECM

by | May 6, 2008 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Marcin Wasilewski Trio – January – ECM B0010818-02 **** [Release date: May 6, 08]:

(Marc Wasilewski, piano; Stawomir Kurkiewicz, bass; Michal Miskiewicz, drums)

Wasilewski gained attention as the pianist in trumpeter Tomasz Stanko’s Quartet, also on ECM.  He is one of the most outstanding jazz pianists of his generation, and certainly not just in Poland.  As with most European jazz, there is a strong classical chamber music sort of feeling at play here, but combined with strong rhythmic and accented pulses that urge things along. The bassist and drummer – as with many of the newer piano trios today – don’t just busy themselves with propelling the rhythm along, but take part as equal contributors to the improvisations.

Polish jazz has had a close connection with film music, and at least two of the ten tracks here demonstrate that: the theme from Cinema Paradiso and one titled The Young and Cinema.  Pianist Wasilewski contributes four originals to he disc, including the intriguing title track. Other tracks come from such as Gary Peacock and Carla Bley in addition to Stanko.  There’s even a Prince tune. Sonics – as expected from ECM – are first rate, with clear delineation of the three instruments  on the stereo stage.

TrackList:
1. The First Touch
2. Vignette
3. Cinema Paradiso
4. Diamonds And Pearls
5. Balladyna
6. King Korn
7. The Cat
8. January
9. The Young And Cinema
10. New York 2007

 – John Henry 

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