QUASIMODO

Polish Jazz band Laboratorium are back with their second foray into the world of Jazz-Rock Fusion, here succumbing to the pressures to produce listener-friendly Smooth Jazz a little earlier than they might have wanted.

1. "Przejazd" (1:35) like a Berlin School Electronic space intro. Synth, synth electronic percussion sounds, synth beat, sliding fretless bass notes. Quite awesome! (4.625/5)

2. "I'm sorry, I'm not driver" (7:07) treated jazz bass intro from Krzysztof Ścierański introduces an awesome motif with dreamy keyboards and equally-dreamy vocalese singing wordlessly over the top. The bass, however, is definitely the star of this one despite the interesting almost-tribal/village vocals and great keyboard work. Coupled with that unusual title, this makes for a very interesting, unusual, and, ultimately, quite entertaining (and even engaging) song. Great acoustic guitar soloing from Paweł Ścierański at the end of the third minute which is challenged by Paweł's own electric guitar in the right channel soon after and continuously trading solo barbs with one another over the next minute before being supplanted by a pretty impressive bass guitar solo in the fifth minute. Overall, this song really made an impression--and managed to stay with me long after I left the source. (14/15)

3. "Etiudka" (1:26) cool piano play that serves as a beautiful and original little interlude between the big songs. It gets a little bluesy in the middle (darn!) and then finishes rather meekly. (4.375/5)

4. "Śniegowa panienka" (8:16) feels like the musical score behind a 1980s television news show, the melody theme borrows a bit from WEATHER REPORT and other Eastern European bands of the 1970s. The piano, drum, and fretless bass sounds are so clear and up front that it leaves me wondering why the choice to image the saxophone so far in the back (and give it that odd effect). I hear no guitar. The bass guitar is so far forward it might be too far. The piano playing is excellent though leaning a bit toward smooth lounge jazz. (17.75/20)

5. "Lady Rolland" (1:44) a weird weave of odd synth sounds and unusual effects deployed over instruments like voices and sax (sounding like the effects Jon Hassell runs his trumpet through) with percussive wordless vocal notes and beats. I'm guessing that this is Marek Stryszowski's contributions to the Yes Fragile-like "solo" interludes. Definitely not your every day interlude! (4.375/5)

6. "Quasimodo" (10:51) almost laid back BOB JAMES-like smooth jazz that manages to stay out of those ruts--but just barely. Luckily, there are few stop and turns that allow the song to serve up some nice solos from Marek Stryszowski's sax, Paweł Ścierański's electric guitar(s), and brother Krzysztof Ścierański's fretless electric bass. (17.75/20)

7. "Kyokushinkai" (2:54) I think I've figured out that these interludes are kind of the band's attempt to offer solo "workshop" compositions from the individual band members: this one from guitarist Paweł Ścierański and drummer Mieczysław Górka. A nice little duet. (4.5/10)

8. "Ikona (In Memory of Zbigniew Zeifert)" (6:15) another tribute to much beloved (and influential) countrymate and noted jazz violinist Zbigniew Zeifert who died of cancer early in the year of this production. There is definitely a feeling of respectful homage to this song: including keyboardist Janusz Grzywacz' creative use of a synthesizer to emulate Zbigniew's instrument of expression. It does drag on a bit, however. (8.875/10)

Total time: 40:08

While the musicianship is still achingly present, the music has, unfortunately, moved into the fringes, if not the main streets, of Smooth Jazz. I like the fact that the band is offering completely accessible while still maintaining an element of exploratory experimentalism--and while somehow still finding ways to play using their high skill levels. All is not lost!

A-/4.5 stars; a minor masterpiece of transitional Smooth Jazz produced by some fine musicians who are reluctant to let go of the exciting dynamics and musicianship required of Third Wave Jazz-Rock Fusion.

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