Saturday, February 28, 2015

YAKAMOZ: Marrcin Mallinowski (2015)


 iTunes Link

Electronic music and jazz are often compared to one another. Both are interested in exploring new sounds, and pushing instruments beyond their capabilities. Both involve expanding upon traditional pop structures and restrictive harmonies. Both rely heavily upon improvisation, and both share a utopian vision of bringing people of all nations together, to share in the groove.

With the Asena Project, Marcin Mallinowski's E-CONNECTION has brought together the worlds of electronica and jazz in fine fashion. E-Connection began in October of 2013, when Mallinowski met Dutch percussionist Jeron de Rijk, beginning a series of tele-collaborations. E-connections quickly expanded to include Finnish guitarist Kai Kortella and Italian bassist Enrico Galetta, with guest performances from Mariusz Kozicki on trumpet and Deniz Atalay on guitar, to become a virtual super group of European jazz talent.

 For the recording of The Asena Project, Mallinowski wrote all the parts in his home studio in Poland, then sent the scores to the participants. Two of the songs, "Asena", and "Mary In Space", are from Mallinowski's previous projects, brought to fresh and sparkling life for the sessions, with "Delia's Cake," inspired by baking a carrot cake for Mallinowski's daughter Delia, created specially for the occasion. What we're left with is a guided tour through the dreams and desires of the entire Earth. It exists no place and everywhere, simultaneously. It exists in the imagination of the musicians, and in the hearts of the listeners.

 Marcin Mallinowski's E-Connection is reclaiming the collaborative, inclusive power of the internet, over-riding it's tendency to isolate and distract. Mallinowski's music brings people together. It engages. It makes the virtual a reality. E-Connection won't remain virtual for long, however. In Spring of 2014, all of the musicians convened in the flesh for the first time, at Mallinowski's home in Poland. They've got concerts planned all over Europe, and will be participating in several
festivals. They've got collaborations lined up with musicians from Armenia, Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba and The United States, and will be releasing a full-length album in a few months. Marcin Mallinowski's music exists in a place before cynicism.

He is not afraid to be "progressive", and keeps the inclusive ideals of fusion jazz burning, bright and alive. Mallinowski reminds us of the e-Connection that connects us all, that brings us together, that shows the similarities and relishes in the difference. RIYL: electric era Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Lotus, Medeski, Martin & Wood, King Crimson, Tortoise, Chicago Underground Duo, Isotope 217 Recommended Single: Asena

http://www.marcinmalinowskimusic.com/

Check out the JazzWorldQuest web player to listen to Marcin Malinowski's eConnection from the upcoming album: "YAKAMOZ" Tracks: Mary in Space and Asena