Reviews
- Audio 09/2007 - C. Gumiński I read I
Reviewer: Cezary Gumiński
Rating:
Music: ****
Execution: ****
Even though he is the laureate of a couple competitions and has been working in the Polish Jazz and recreational music scene for 3 decades, the present album is basically his authored debut. Listening to the eight compositions it contains, it is proper to ask why did he take so long to leave the shadow of the Prowizorka Jazz Band (and other groups which he was a part of) and demonstrate his own artistic vision? But maybe he did the right thing? There is a strong entrance because of it, and it is expressive with a message that is crystal clear esthetically, without unwanted affectation, falseness, or routine; it is very pleasant listening. Korohoda is the protégé of Jaroslaw Smetana and can boast of as good a studio as his older friend, the same culture of assembling melodies, and the feeling of building indefinable harmonies and balanced arrangements. The music encompassed in the disk is an example of jazz-rock played with determination and even when it reaches the fringes of smooth jazz it does not turn barren or bland. For almost the whole time, there is a semblance of an echo from Pat Metheny's recordings, but lighter; a style that Metheny no longer plays. The compilations from the record, at once, appear to be obvious and hold a kind of riddle. Korohoda is helped in his recording with a beautiful, disciplined rhythmic section from Grzegorz Gorkiewicz who bustles with feeling on the keyboard, a couple of soloists on wind instruments, and two vocalists. Each of the compilations possess its own character, and their continuity creates an uncommonly appreciative whole, that is full of life and melody. Deserving mention is the quality of the recording for its clarity, dynamics, and multi-dimensions.
I back I
- Jazz Forum - R.Wolański I read I
Ryszard Wolański, Review of record "If It Happens"
Rating:****
I know the sound of his guitar for, I think, over 15 years. It is then that he appeared in the band Prowizorka Jazz Band. He was, and still is its rhythmic and melodic support. As it turns out, playing traditional standards is merely a part, and not a great one, of the musical erudition of Jacek Korohoda. His participation in various, but less known artistic ventures, have given him the ability of learning various styles and types of music from which he consequently creates his own world of sound and rhythms solidified finally on his first featured record. Featured in every respect, he appears on the record as not only a competent guitarist, but also as a composer, arranger, and even author.
Korohoda, the composer, dominates with his ideas, the formal construction of eight themes that are the repertoire of this album. Each is built differently. One reserved, another thrilling, all perfectly compiled with the instruments used, from which even the human voice is not missing. A pleasant surprise for the listener (I assume that authorial as well) is the commentary characterizing individual pieces (i.e. to Her Smile - the music as joyful and happy as her smile). Each one deserves some time, but after the second listening, I'm suggesting to hear this disk as a whole because only then are all the attributes brought out as, consequently, is its mood. I will stop only for a second on If It Happens; not without reason did this track give the name to the record. This is a ballad of exceptional beauty with all the elements that belong to this form - with a lyrical theme a little like from Komeda, with the human voice in the foreground, with sober, garrulous, whisk percussion, with an acoustic piano and electronics, whose never-ending possibilities are used in a controlled way and were in parts improvised.
Korohoda, the arranger, showed evidence of great feeling organizing what should, and which type (and who) of things should be played to achieve the desired effect. The difficult art of arranging is usually a test of colour sensitivity. He turned out gloriously, providing creative colour while personally selecting the group of accompanying artists in various configurations; from quintet to octet. Korohoda, the guitarist reserved for himself, and rightfully, the largest musical space in each of the eight themes on the record. In each, he also appears as an instrumentalist of great technique and with improvised eloquence. Jarek Smietana is right in recommending this record as bringing out the "cultural style and beautiful, clear phase".
I back I
- AudioVideo 12/2007 - O. Kowalczyk I read I
Reviewer: Oskar Kowalczyk
Very well done record of the Cracow guitarist Jacek Korohoda /student of Jaroslaw Smietana/ well-known for the interaction with the Prowizorka Jazz Band. He is excellent and mature guitarist, with a very cultured style and beautiful, clean phrase /J. Smietana/ and very talented composer. "If It Happens" pays tribute to stylistics fusion of years 70 and 80, particularly for the sound of companies GRP and DMP. The record is 'posh' in sound and arrangement respect /the harmonica, vocals/ and has the great chance to hit to the wide circle of listeners /not necessarily only fans of jazz /.
I back I
- AudioVideo 12/2007 - M. Romański I read I
Reviewer: Marek Romański
Since many years guitarist Jacek Korohoda is one of most often employed session musicians in Poland. He moves very well in various styles, from jazz-rock and fusion, through the traditional mainstream jazz, to blues and soul. He finally found a time to record his debut album. "f It Happens" will certainly find admirers among the fans of Pat Metheny, especially his classical recordings from 70's. Unisons of the guitar and the singing, the guitar synthesizer, the spatial sound and nice melodies.
I back I
Home