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Mikrokolektyw is, as their name suggests, a small musical collective consisting of just drummer Kuba Suchar and trumpet player Artur Majewski. Both musicians also contribute very tasteful electronics that fill in the gaps but are never overbearing. This is a very nice take on the nu jazz genre with a sort of miniature chamber approach to modern jazz with vague world music influences and not a trace of maudlin ambient sentimentality that makes a lot of nu jazz sound very non-jazzy.
Its hard to find a comparison for this album, but a more electronic flavored version of some of Don Cherry’s small ensemble world music might be close. A lot of this album sounds like an ambient techno re-mix of an ECM world jazz album, only way less pretty and cute. Overall I found this album to be very interesting and enjoyable. Its modern without being trendy and the small size of their group gives their music a very appealing minimalism, they are like a lean tekka sashimi compared to the other’s big greasy steak. There is an avoidance of overstated melody on this album that gives it an appealing vagueness which helps it hold up to repeated listenings. I like an album that keeps its freshness, this one is recommended for folks seeking out quality nu jazz.