 Kalendár 2008 | ||
 Tričko Hudba | ||
 Radovan Tariška | ||
 CD Dáša Libiaková Dáša Libiaková - vocal | ||
 Jozef Lupták | ||
 Anna Maria Jopek - NIEBO | ||
 Erik Rothenstein and his Rainbow Project: Prater Menuet | ||
Grzegorz Karnas - Dreams (Debies CD02)
You Can't Go Tellin' Lies (act 1);
Bye Bye Blackbird;
Epigram;
Bottom's Burning;
You Can't Go Tellin' Lies (act 2);
Bottom's Burning!!!;
Surprise;
Lalla;
I Won't Say;
My Broadsword;
Outro Space
Musicians: Grzegorz Karnas, vocals, loops, tooth drum; Michał Tokaj, Fender piano; Damian Kurasz, guitars; Robert Kubiszyn, bass; Sebastian Frankiewicz, drums; Guests: Tomasz Szukalski, tenor sax; Jerzy Małek, trumpet; Adam Ole?, cello; Patrycja Gola, vocal; Bogusz Wekka, conga
This CD is a surprize for me - a surprize in every positive respect. Through his new album, Grzegorz Karnas has become, for me, one of those musicians who have transcended the thin barrier that separates craft from art. "Dreams" is not just an album that makes for excellent listening - it's also something different, that stands apart from the omnipresent mass of standardised products out there. Karnas' methods are nothing new (can you still do that?!), and fit into the category generally known as fusion, incorporating a mixture of acoustic and electronic sounds, and elements of jazz, rock and world music. However, even though one can hear strains of Davis, Steps Ahead, and - probably most of all - Joe Zawinul on "Dreams", Karnas' music is original enough to bring a revitalising gust of freshness into the somewhat stale genre of jazz-rock. The compositions are excellent - very melodic, making the listener want to give the music their attention and time. The arrangements are characterised by meticulous blending of sounds and a feel for timbre; though the instrumentation is at times dense and multi-layered, the music isn't overloaded, each sonic element is meaningful and resounds lucidly with the rest. The top-rate crew of backing musicians gives a lively but relaxed performance, obviously in tune with the leader's intentions. Thanks to this, the music continually blossoms with a wide array of sounds, the successive, stirringly played improvisations flow forth, the moods range from ballads to trans-like excursions. Karnas' singing - regardless of whether it's lyrics, syllabics or scat - is never for show; it's always music. Vocalists are probably a bit more susceptible to the lure of "shining" at all costs than are other instrumentalists. Karnas doesn't care about shining. He wants to make music. This is audible in every composition, in every measure he sings. Karnas should also be appreciated not only for talent and vision, but for will-power, self-control, and possessing the level of humility that's essential to keep art from becoming a spectacle.
The remaining aspect for assessment is Karnas the poet. I decidedly do not consider myself an expert in that field, but in my opinion this area of "Dreams" is rendered with sufficient intelligence, honesty and perspective to stimulate the ear and mind.
Robert Buczek
