Mateusz Palka/Szymon Mika Quartet

Mateusz Palka/Szymon Mika Quartet: Popyt

by Ian Patterson
January 27, 2016

The title of the debut album from the Polish quartet co-led by Mateusz Palka and Szymon Mika translates as “demand," reflecting the group's belief that greater melodic expression is what the modern jazz fan pines for. It follows that the six originals--and a cover of Sonny Rollins' “Airegin"--are above all tuneful, with the extended soloing, that is one of the album's strengths, following sharply defined melodic contours. Stylistically, the music is subtly diverse from one track to another and the ...