Maciej Fortuna Trio "Solar Ring" Maciej Fortuna – trumpet, flugelhorn Piotr Lemanczyk – bass Frank Parker – drums Tracklist: 1. Resume 5:35 (M. Fortuna) 2. Lobster Baby 4:40 (P. Lemańczyk) 3. Eternal 5:30 (M. Fortuna) 4. For the Old Friend 7:47 (M. Fortuna) 5. Home Pictures 7:46 (P. Lemańczyk) 6. G.r.o.o. 4:46 (M. Fortuna) 7. Sal 1:34 (P. Lemanczyk, F. Parker) 8. Solar Ring 4:40 (M. Fortuna) 9. Tryptyk 6:49 (M. Fortuna) Recorded at Studio Splendor i Sława in Poznan, Poland, 9.11 & 10.11 2011 Recorded and mixed by Marcin Górny Mastered by Anna Suda/Sistrum Studio Artwork by Julia Ruminiecka "Maciej Fortuna is still young trumpeter who is making progress with every consecutive album. After modest beginnings (check "In The Small Hours" (2009), he recorded promising "Lost Keys" (2010) and is now confirming his talent with "Solar Ring". From 'Lost Keys' he kept American drummer Frank Parker and added Piotr Lemańczyk who is one of the most convincing double bass players on Polish scene. It is therefore no surprise that music is brilliantly performed: deep, spacious and resonant it succeeds in keeping one's attention focused from the beginning to the end of the recording. Majority of tunes were composed by the leader with Lemańczyk adding (as author and co-author) three and Parker one. These tunes are strong side of album: diversified, melodious yet sophisticated enough to give opportunity to musicians to display collective interplay and individual virtuosity (...)". - Maciej Nowotny, polish-jazz.blogspot.com "(...) The music is quite excellent and although kept within the boundaries of modern mainstream Jazz, it often sounds unusual as far as the tonality and rhythmic approach are concerned, incorporating World-Music elements in both areas. The fact that Fortuna decided to create the album in the difficult trumpet trio format proves his self-confidence, which fortunately is fully justified. The trio format works perfectly here and suffers nothing from the lack of an accompanying harmonic instrument. The individual performances by all three musicians are first class from start to finish. Lemanczyk uses a full-body tone with a lot of pulsating vibrato, which is perfect for this setting and Parker ornaments the music rather than keeping time, which is done mostly by the bass. Fortuna’s playing is inspired and technically excellent. His lyricism, expressed primarily by his flugelhorn solos, is the highlight of his playing, but his up-tempo trumpet excursions are exciting and quite electrifying as well. Overall the album presents Fortuna as a maturing player / composer, who is sure to occupy a center-stage position on the vigorous Polish Jazz scene in the years to come. If the level of excellence, as documented here, as well as the refinement of his personal voice will continue on the path he has already travelled on, his success is guaranteed. This album should prove a source of joy to all trumpet aficionados, and Jazz buffs in general, and is of course wholeheartedly recommended. Satisfaction guaranteed! (...)" - Adam Baruch, polish-jazz.blogspot.com