Post Description

A distinct vernacular, unabashedly quixotic lyricism and an authoritative style of playing are among the notable characteristics 
that define Maciej Obara. The Polish saxophonist and composer had performed with Tomasz Stanko in the trumpeter's 
"New Balladyna Quartet" project and he has recorded with John Lindberg, Ralph Alessi, Mark Helias and Nasheet Waits. 

This quartet recording includes pianist Dominik Wania who had met and played alongside Obara 
as part of the aforementioned Stanko quartet. Wania has been part of Obara groups since 2012.

"Ula" is a thoughtful ballad as is "Joli Bord", highlighted by subtle interplay 
between Obara and Wania and the saxophonist's occasionally soaring breakouts.
"One For" has a lighter feel, emphasized by Wania's bright and nimble piano. 
An omnipresent contributor to so many Polish jazz albums, the late Krzysztof Komeda wrote the title track. 
"Sleepwalker" and "Echoes" are more open improvisations and provide the opportunity 
for Morten Vågan and Nilssen to stand out. The latter of the two features a blistering Obara solo. 
The soulful "Storyteller" closes the album with Obara's long searching lines, Wania delicate phrasing against a wash of cymbals.

Manfred Eicher's vision of the ECM style of improvised music has always been as defined as is possible, 
though the label carries less of a distinct "sound", relative to its overall output. That said, the music of Unloved 
speaks to a familiar aesthetic sensibility leaving no doubt that Obara's work is perfectly at home here. 
The Polish/Norwegian quartet plays with one mind but the individual synapses fire in many direction. 
The players anticipate each other's movements and set their courses with a mixture of refinement and flair. 
(By Karl Ackermann, November 12, 2017. Writteninmusic)


Personnel: 
Maciej Obara: alto saxophone; 
Dominik Wania: piano; 
Ole Morten Vågan: double bass; 
Gard Nilssen: drums.

foobar2000 1.3.16 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2017-12-10 13:29:27
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Analyzed: Maciej Obara Quartet / Unloved
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DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR12      -1.24 dB   -17.98 dB      6:57 01-Ula
DR14      -0.20 dB   -19.25 dB      6:17 02-One For
DR13      -1.32 dB   -20.29 dB      5:52 03-Joli Bord
DR13      -0.20 dB   -18.23 dB      7:16 04-Unloved
DR13      -0.20 dB   -16.24 dB      6:43 05-Sleepwalker
DR12      -0.20 dB   -15.05 dB      9:11 06-Echoes
DR12      -0.87 dB   -18.23 dB      6:16 07-Storyteller
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Number of tracks:  7
Official DR value: DR13

Samplerate:        96000 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   24
Bitrate:           2763 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
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