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January | 
| Artist: Marcin Wasilewski
Label: ECM
Category: Music
List Price: £14.99
Buy New: £11.69
You Save: £3.30 (22%)
New (19) from £9.46
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 9063
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 001081802
UPC: 602517373457
EAN: 0602517373457
ASIN: B000ZN9MGK
Release Date: January 28, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | First Touch | | • | Vignette | | • | Cinema Paradiso | | • | Diamonds And Pearls | | • | Balladyna | | • | King Korn | | • | Cat | | • | January | | • | Young And Cinema | | • | New York 2007 |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Good, but not that good. December 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Why only 3 stars for an album that most listeners will doubtlessly like and like a lot?
Well, let me say first that I would have liked to give 3,5 - but that's impossible. Even though 3,5 should be rounded up to make 4 rather than down to 3, I would like to contrast the euphoric reviews on this page with some critical comments.
This is an enjoyable album, no doubt. But then, enjoyable piano trio albums on ECM (and CAMJAZZ)are a dime a dozen, as they say. And while I love the trio's work with (and that means under the guidance of) Tomasz Stanko, they strike me as not yet come of (musical) age, without him.
I find myself thinking of other trios, while I am listening to these guys. At times Bill Evans comes to mind, then it's Brad Mehldau. One moment they remind me of Marylin Crispell, and then Ketil Bjornstad comes to mind. In short, young as they are, they seem to me a little lost in the wilderness of possibilities, and they wind up imitating others rather than creating their own style.
I have little doubt they will make their way and make their contribution to the literature of piano trio jazz, but they are not at it, yet.
So, if you do not have an extensive archive of similar recrodings, go ahead! There is every chance you will love the quiet, concentrated mood of this album. If, on the other hand, you already own a lot of ECM (or CAMJAZZ)piano jazz, this is a could have much rather than a must have.
I have it, and I'll keep it (I guess). But I wouldn't buy it again - it does not measure up to the ECM albums by M. Crispell, B. Stenson or T. Gustavsson.
 Album of the year October 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Whatever you are into, you've got to get this album. This is a real calm but not overly smoothe piano treat and I can't put it away.
superb August 4, 2008
I have had this cd for nearly 5 months now and cant stop playing it It is by far the best cd i have bought this year,A pure joy.I wunder how long it will be before i wear it out,Just go and buy it.
Wonderful stuff April 16, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful album and is a more complex affair than the slightly disappointing 'Trio' released a few years back. Wasilewski has a much more distinctive approach to harmony on this recording, and uses his left hand in an olique way throughout. His playing is reminiscent of Bobo Stenson these days. The free-er approach of Stanko's 'Lontano' seems to have has rubbed off on this album too, giving it real depth. The group plays more cohesively too, the bassist and the drummer contributing equally to a three way interaction. The promise of the first ECM record has been fulfilled handsomely on 'January'.
 excellent second recording February 6, 2008
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Since 2005's fantastic debut (the matter of factly-titled "Trio"), pianist Wasilewski, bassist Kurkiewicz and drummer Miskiewicz have performed with their leader Tomasz Stanko on 2006's Lontano while Wasilewski and Kurkiewciz have appeared in both Manu Katche quintet recordings from 2005 and 2007.
Despite this exposure, "January" hides its considerable qualities well on the first few listens. It is more apparently uniform than "Trio" (although this is somewhat of a misrepresentation) and has nothing to rival the cover of Bjork's "Hyperballad" in simple magnificence and beauty.
There is a basis arc to "January" in that it starts quietly proceeds to a energised middle section and then settles down to a mid tempo between the two. The covers are diverse and reveal much about the trio's inspirations. "Vignette", as befits a composition by Gary Peacock, features some magnificent agile, melodic yet mournful bass playing which comes to prominence some four minutes in. "Cinema Paradiso" starts with a low, suggestive roll drum rumble before unfolding as a thing of beauty, thankfully shorn of the saccharine quality of the original soundtrack (and indeed the film). The opening notes of Prince's "Diamonds and Pearls" create a fantastic atmosphere, the bass again to the fore stretching the melody. To the first time listener (especially one who has not heard the original for years) hopes are high that this might be, in ever sense, the album's "Hyperballad". Regrettably this is not to be and although by no means bad it might be the weakest track on "January".
The cover of Stanko's own "Balladyna" (which the trio have been playing for years) is not as jerky as the original but still has a restless quality and sounds not unlike a Jarrett improvisation as Wasilewski feels his way into the music. Thereafter "January" keeps its interest for the second half of its 70 minutes through an equally restless version of Carla Bley's "King Korn" and a suite of 9-10 minute mid tempo tracks before concluding with the brief, probing and haunting "New York 2007".
All three performers are magnificent musicians and the qualities of Wasilewski and Kurkiewicz in particular have more room to breathe than on the recent Katche "Playground". In short, this is very highly recommended indeed.
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