Michal Martyniuk : Resonate Review

Michal Martyniuk is a Polish-born pianist who spent a good chunk of his educational experience in New Zealand. His debut release Odyssey under the name After Ours combines jazz with club and electronic music. In 2018, the pianist released Nothing to Prove, which established Martyniuk as a force to be reckoned with. Resonate further explores the depth and scope of this pianist and composer on the move. A combination of new compositions recorded in Poland with a pinch of unreleased tracks featuring his New Zealand band Martyniuk once again solidifies his emotive, yet powerfully polished style. Featuring Jakub Skowronski on saxophone, Kuba Mizeracki on guitar, Bartek Chojnacki on double bass, Kuba Gudz on drums, Cameron McArthur on double bass and Ron Samsom on drums.

“Jazz Dance” has a driving rhythm that engages harmonically modern ideals. Skowronski eloquently dances across the tightly locked Gudz and Chojnacki’s rhythmic diversity. While Martyniuk explores a spacious yet well-conversed solo, all the while Gudz punctuates the rhythmic complexity of the dance, creating a woven layer of exciting patterns. Martyniuk uses a vast array of ideas in his arsenal of writing style. Each passage reveals another appealing texture, and his colorizations keep the track moving and palatable.

“The Opening” is a beautifully pensive tune that centers in a slow groove. This time using drummer Samson, who sets up an entrancing rhythm that is evocative yet compelling, while Martyniuk colorizes with beauty and tapestry with each note leading to the next pathway. Bassist McArthur deceivingly drives the tune with arching and release locked tightly with Martyniuk and Samson. This tune is a trio track, and it accentuates the three players’ interactive spirit. Cascading lines, reflective beauty, and a flowing emotion inhabits each corner of Martyniuk’s composition.

Resonate is a fully-fledged showcase of Martyniuk’s growing maturity both as a composer and pianist, Though some of the tracks offer a varied lineup, the cohesiveness of the overall album shines as a unison framework by a cast of stellar musicians who clearly understand the vision of this skilled pianist and composer.

Michal Martyniuk: Website