The last album I heard by Lewandowski was a tribute to Fats Waller. By contrast, the bassist's latest release comprises eleven of his own compositions which, although not related to times gone by, contains enough melodic content to suggest that had Fats been of a later generation his compositional skills may well have been not too far removed from Lewandowski's.
The composer first came to prominence in the UK and did actually play a Jazz Co-op gig at The Globe in 2017 shortly before he relocated to NYC. The idea behind this current album is to draw on his time in both London and New York painting musical pictures of those two cities.
In truth, personally, I couldn't be blindfolded and say this one's London, this one's New York although I could make educated guesses and still be totally wrong.
The theme of the rather beautiful Very Well bears a marked resemblance to Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu Op. 66* which has little in common with London, New York or Nottingham - Lewandowski's birthplace. It doesn't matter, what's in a name? As the album's title implies, they're all under one sky. What does matter is that this is a very listenable album. Although led by a bass player, the album isn't awash with bass solos although when he does emerge e.g on The Same Moon he's impressive. However, the main focus is on the interplay between pianist Frei and Lewandowski with Abadey providing the filler that holds it together.
Not an album to change the universe but certainly one to make it a better place - Lance
*A.K.A I'm Always Chasing Rainbows.
Introduction (3459 miles); Licks; Provavus; For Paul Bley; The Same Moon; Islands; Very Well; Queen of the Orchid; For Andrew Hill; Skyline; Under One Sky.
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