Long-Distance Connections
Summit, 2021
8/10
Listen to Long- Distance Connections
The piano virtuoso Lukasz Pawlik brings in an all star cast for Long-Distance Connections, where Mike Stern, Tom Kennedy, Gary Novak and Szymon Kamykowski, among many others, accompany him across 8 fusion friendly compositions.
“Indian Garden” starts the listen with Stern’s electric guitar, Dave Weckl’s proficient drumming and David Glówczewski’s well timed saxophone in the smooth and versatile opener, and “A Matter Of Urgency” follows with Pawlik’s dizzing acoustic piano alongside Kennedy’s strategic electric bass as flowing jazz ideas enter the playful climate.
At the halfway point, “For Odd’s Sake” enters calmer territory, as Randy Brecker’s trumpet makes an impression amid Pawlik’s keys, samples and synth, while “Planet X” offers a darker approach complete with piano, keyboards, synth, samples and bass programming from Pawlik’s very capable hands in the cinematic landscape.
“Greg’s Walk” arrives near the end, and is one of the best tracks, in part due to flugelhorn from Brecker and Glówczewski’s warm sax prowess, and “Suspensions” exits the listen with no shortage of grooves cultivated by sax, bass, drums and Pawlik’s flawless key work.
Pawlik penned all these originals, and his contributions on various keys, and even cello on one track, help make Long-Distance Connections an ideal listen for those with an interest for collaborative jazz and timeless classical song craft.
Travels well with: Dave Miller Trio- The Mask-erade Is Over; Schapiro 17- Human Qualities