Product Description

A mature statement by a still-young Polish band that already has 15 years of playing experience behind it. All group members shine here, with
Marcin Wasilewski again impressive as one of the most outstanding jazz pianists of his generation. The group has already a strong and still-growing
following both in their own right and as members of the Tomasz Stanko Quartet. (Additionally, profiles of pianist Wasilewski and bassist Kurkiewicz have been raised by their membership of the Manu Katché Group). Remarkably broad program of material. Repertoire includes music by Prince, Carla Bley, Gary Peacock, Tomasz Stanko, Ennio Morricone as well as original tunes by Wasilewski. This impressive album, coupled with the tour dates, will catapult this group to the spotlight of
the jazz community.

Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31371 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-06
• Number of discs: 1

Review
This is the young Polish piano trio that surfaced with that country s veteran jazz-trumpet star Tomasz Stanko
a few years back, and made a big impact on their own account with their debut for ECM in 2005. Part of the
group s secret is the patient ease with which they intertwine impressionistic music and powerful pulses, and
here Wasilewski s strong originals once again give much of the set its backbone.... The album may not appear
to be trying to hit you between the eyes, but in the long run it does that anyway. --The Guardian (UK)

Customer Reviews

Tomasz Stanko's Other Half Steps Out And Delivers
Marcin Wasilewski is or was (I'm not sure if they play together anymore) the pianist for the Tomasz Stanko Quartet. This particular trio helped produce such masterpieces as "Soul Of Things" and "Suspended Night" with Stanko. I don't think any other pianist would have given Stanko that dark, moody sound. Wasilewski has really found his niche in this introspective, dark, reflective type of jazz music.

The production of the recording is just amazing and yet very typical for ECM. I expect nothing but pure perfection from them. I wouldn't tolerate any less in terms of engineering.

The music on this record is much more focused than their last one, which was simply titled "Trio." That record had many great moments, but I think the sound here is more cohesive and organic. The song selection is also much better.

Some highlights for me were "Vignette," "Diamonds And Pearls," "The Cat," and the title track, but in all honesty they are really good. The only one that I didn't particularly like was "King Korn" it was more of a free-form piece and I just thought it kind of ruined the flow of the album, but that is just a little gripe.

The interplay between Wasilewski, Slawomir Kurkiewicz, and Michal Miskiewicz is really astounding. They have really formed a tight bond over the last couple of years of playing with Stanko. I think he made them so much stronger.

I recommend "January' to anyone who's a fan of Bill Evans and to anyone interested in hearing a jazz piano trio with a lot of class.

extremely listenable, flowing and rythmic
Heard a selection from January on NPR jazz one night...impressed enough to
buy the album on Amazon...and then i was much more impressed. I like
Mehldau, Jarret, and others, but this album is so sublime and beautiful
that i rate it above my other piano jazz favorites. Piano, bass and
drums are intertwined so skillfully. Watch for more of their albums, and
get this album.

Might be album of the year for me
Beauty beyond description. When the world and humanity gets me down I put this on and feel better.

For such a young group of musicians they have a great grasp on dynamics. Can't wait to hear what they come out with next.