Reviews
Polskie Radio/Polish Radio 3/8/2010 – ‘Light & shadow’ album review
“The albums containing music created by improvised guitar are quite rare… Thanks to “Light & Shadow” album I enjoy an opportunity to highly esteem the skills presented by Przemysław Strączek. The leader of his own trio band, to have been established in 2006, did make a step to the right direction by inviting the trumpeter – Jerzy Małek to accompany him. While playing with Strączek, Małek does the best thing he can – mainstream. Regardless of the piece to be performed, either in rapid bloody style or ballad-style euphonious solos, his trumpet and flugelhorn are irreplaceable elements of the album. Their performance comes best when played in duet with the leader; their discussions, bantering and the manner in which they exchange leading roles are so intriguing ….
review by Olga Spasojewska
‘Jazz Forum’ magazine 6/2010 – ‘Light & Shadow’ album review
I “bought” the very first track of the author of the album, the track performed brilliantly and basically invented in genuine way…(Visa Ve)
… The album won’t make anyone bored as the tracks are diverse and the smooth sound of the guitar is enriched by trumpet solos from time to time.
The participation of Jurek Małek gives all the songs a “jazz claw”. The solos are technically perfect, simply impeccable and you can be taken aback by their novelty. This is what really elevates the music. The performance of the ballad entitled ‘Nine dreams’ by both soloists – Strączek and Małek – is fabulous…
review by Ryszard Borowski
Trzy Kwadranse Jazzu/Three Quarters of Jazz 22.03.2010
“The name of Przemysław Strączek has appeared in this programme for the first time, I guess. I hope it’s not for the last time … “.
by Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski
‘Top Guitar’ magazine / issue no 28/ 3/2010
Light & Shadow album review
“It’s already the second album to be released under the name of this guitarist – the album which seems to be a nice gift for guitarists to perform under the banner of mainstream guitar jazz.
Traces of Jim Hall and his disciple – Pat Metheny are echoed in subtle and refined compositions.
The first piece entitled “Visa Ve” and the title track”Light & Shadow” are kept in such ambience – a little of post-bop a little of Komeda. Jerzy Małek does play his muffled trumpet beautifully in these compositions (and so does he in others). The ballad entitled “Nine Dreams” is a fabulous theme which ’caresses your ear’ like ‘My one and only love’ – for myself an absolutely charming moment of the album. Przemysław Strączek seems to feel best in such esthetics as in the song entitled ‘Between Night & Day’ a subtle ambience is created by classical guitar accompanied by strings and double bass producing the notes to be so pleasant even for non-sophisticated ear. “La Havana” gives a swing by its Latin rhythms (Sebastian Kuchczyński dr.) exhilarating the listeners by a ‘beach’ theme performed by Strączek and samba-like bass of Maciej Grabowski. On the other hand the final track of the album – “Kocham cię kochanie moje” is a cover-like song extended by its moods and form to let us contemplate as the final sounds of the album vanish. By this album, Przemysław Straczek confirmed (if such confirmation is required anyway) to be a versatile guitarist and basically a clever arranger and composer who easily moves between contemporary intricacies of jazz”.
by Maciej Warda