1. Crossing Borders – episode 1
2. Hej, od Krakowa jadę (Blue Deconstruction)
3. Ach, mój Jasieńko (Quasi ad libitum)
4. Na jabłoni jabłko wisi (Work Song)
5. Just One More Day
6. Blue Study
7. Waterfall
8. Olive Tree
9. Responsorium
10. Katwar
11. Infundybuła chronosynklastyczna
12. Crossing borders – episode 2

Marcin Olak – classical guitar, acoustic guitar
Maciej Szczyciński – double bass
Hubert Zemler – drums
Mikołaj Wielecki – additional drums (tracks: 7 and 8)

"Low profile" is an adjective which is rather difficult to translate into Polish language. Yet I like it very much when it applies to jazz. Nowadays there is so much hype around music that it often completely covers up its true artistic value. All these bouncing butts, fake boobs, swollen lips cannot hide from careful listeners that behind the sounds there is nothing. No spirituality, no adventure, no freedom but only money. Cash. Dough. So if you are after true artistic experience look for the projects which are low profile. New album by Marcin Trio may be very good example of such an attitude.

Its is very aptly titled "Crossing Borders" since it crosses the artificial boundaries of music genres. Music is inspired as much by jazz, blues but also Polish folk and traditional Church music. Though narrative is told in language of mainstream, its soul is free. Because of that it may appeal as much to those who like traditional jazz but also to those who look towards avantgarde for something fresh and inspiring.

It is third recording by this trio after "Zealot" realeased in 2005 and "Simple Joy" in 2008. To be honest I wasn't great fan of this last record. It sounded for me much too predicatble, sweet, superficial. I therefore appreciate more how the music of this band has matured over last few years. It gained in diversity, in depth and in interplay. This is due as much to sophisticated composing and exquisitive playing by the leader as to the development of talent of young players who make up the rhythm section.

Hubert Zemler is one of the most interesting young drummers on Polish scene. This year he released excellent solo drum album "Moped" and he also is an important player on Warsaw avantgarde scene with such succesful projects like Kapacitron, Horny Trees or Namanga to be mentioned. Unlike Zemler who played also on "Simple Joy", bassist Maciej Szczyciński is new person in trio and replaced no less talented Wojtek Traczyk. Szczyciński is known for his versality, he may feel equally at ease on solid mainstream album by Dominik Bukowski (like "Times Get Changed") or in out-of-control enterprise by Joanna Duda ("Muzyka do bólu"), what makes him one of the most sought-after young bassists on our scene.

But of course main focus is on Marcin Olak's guitars. What immediately catches the attention is a beauty of the sound. The background is often minimalistic and Zemler and Szczyciński deserve great applause for being able to communicate effectively without making too much a noise. On this setting filigree improvisations by Olak cause astonishment and it is difficult not to be overwhelmed by delicate appeal of this music. Wholeheartedly recommended!---Maciej Nowotny, polish-jazz.blogspot.com

„Crossing Borders” jest trzecią - po „Zealot” (2005) i „Simple Joy” (2008) - płytą w dorobku projektu Marcin Olak Trio. Na płycie znalazło się dwanaście utworów utrzymanych w stylistyce jazzowej z gitarą klasyczną (czasem, także akustyczną) w roli instrumentalnego lidera. Obok kompozycji autorskich lidera projektu - Marcina Olaka, na „Crossing Borders” znalazły się trzy polskie melodie ludowe autorstwa Witolda Lutosławskiego w dosyć odważnych aranżacjach. Co - wobec faktu, że przyszły rok ma być ogłoszony rokiem Witolda Lutosławskiego - sprawia, że materiał jeszcze bardziej intryguje i zyskuje na atrakcyjności.

„Udało się nam, jak sądzę – przyznaje lider projektu Marcin Olak - uniknąć niezbyt szczęśliwej formuły „klasyki na jazzowo“. Zamiast tego powstały utwory, w których już same tematy zostały przekomponowane, a ich poszczególne warstwy stały się kanwą dla improwizacji”.

W wyniku tych zabiegów powstała muzyka, którą można określić jako fuzję współczesnej kameralistyki i jazzu, zbliżoną w brzmieniu do działań takich twórców jak Henry Treadgill czy grupy Oregon. W takiej stylistyce utrzymuje się zresztą cała płyta. Dwie centralne kompozycje na płycie to etiudy na trio jazzowe – Waterfall i Olive Tree – które w punkcie wyjścia utworami kameralnymi, stopniowo ewoluują w stronę improwizacji i formy otwartej. Z kolei utwór Responsorium jest medytacyjną wariacją opartą na formie tradycyjnej modlitwy z psalmami.

Na płycie instrumentem prowadzącym jest zdecydowanie gitara, klasyczna lub akustyczna, bas i perkusja bardziej tworzą kontrapunkty niż akompaniują. ---empik.com

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01 Dancing Lion 
02 Simple Joy 
03 Above 
04 Backstage Song 
05 Song 4.2 
06 Shofar 
07 Jazzpanola 
08 Lydian Sky 
09 Kolysanka No 2

Marcin Olak - guitars
Wojtek Traczyk - bass
Hubert Zemler - drums

Marcin Olak is one of the most interesting Polish jazz guitar players. He is one of the few who play modern jazz on classical and acoustic guitars, using the specific sound and articulative possibilities of those instruments; sometimes he also plays electric guitar. He moves between various styles: jazz, classical and contemporary, from fully composed pieces to improvised music. Marcin Olak performs solo and with various bands ranging from free-jazz combos, through classical guitar ensembles, to a symphony orchestra. Marcin is also appreciated as an arranger and composer: he writes chamber music and concertos, jazz themes and songs.

Usually guitar in jazz is treated linearly. Most guitarists play with a pick, and thus are able to play a single note melody or chords. Marcin Olak -with his classical guitar background -plays differently. He creates multi-level, complex textures, using the specific sound and articulative possibilities of his guitars, according to the European guitar tradition. And that's not the end of surprises...

Marcin graduated from Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (PL) in classical guitar. He took part in numerous master classes with classical guitarists Roberto Aussel and Jorge Cardoso, among others, and jazz performers like Ralph Towner and Scott Henderson. Marcin Olak has played at some of the most important Polish guitar and jazz festivals, such as: Warsaw Summer Jazz Days (2013, 2008), Warszaw Autumn (2007,2009), Jazz na Buduku (2006, 2008, 2012), Jazz w Ruinach (2007), Guitar City (2005, 2008), Jazz Juniors (2005), Warsaw Underground Jazz (2003) and many more. Warsaw Guitar Festival in 2008 and 2013 seem particularly worth mentioning as Marcin's own concertos for jazz guitar trio and orchestra (2008) and for two guitars and strings (2013) were performed there for the first time. Marcin has also played on the most important stages in Poland, including the National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw and Witold LutosÅ'awski Concert Studio of the Polish Radio. He has recorded for Polish radio and TV on numerous occasions. ---allaboutjazz.com

download (mp3 @192 kbs):

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