Polka is the new album by Polish jazz bass player Wojtek Mazolewski. If the title conjures up images of jazz-influenced Bohemian folk tunes, think again. The cover shows the bass player’s tattooed fingers, one hand of which reads ‘JAZZ’. Open the enclosed leaflet, and you learn that the other hand reads ‘PUNK’. It turns out that Mazolewski was influenced by both jazz punks, like Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler, and punk punks, like Discharge and the Dead Kennedys. And if that puts you off, too, think again – again. Because Mazolewski is a fine player, quite adept at combining these different influences, and with a gift for melody. Add to that a skilled band that operate on the same, diverse musical wavelength, and get ready to settle down for a quite wonderful musical journey.

A journey? Well, Polka’s tunes are – for the most part, at least, inspired by cities that have inspired him over the years.

But first, let’s take a step back. We’re listening to Polka – the Worldwide Deluxe Edition here. The original album came out back in 2014, and featured many of the tunes included here, plus two ‘punk’ covers, by Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine, no less. The album received positive reviews, and the band ended up playing over 200 concerts in 21 countries in the years that followed.

The follow-up, London, was a two-track EP. The second tune, Theme de Yoyo, was a tribute to one of his influences, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, and came to the attention of Gilles Peterson, who included it in his Top 50 songs of 2017.

And so to Polka – the Worldwide Deluxe Edition – which is released on 3rd August on Whirlwind Recordings. The new version features most of the originals from the 2014 album, plus the two tunes from the London EP – the three-part London and Theme de Yoyo.

Roma opens the album, and was one of the earliest compositions. Whilst Mazolewski explains that the new tune has evolved over time, it has retained an almost ambient simplicity. “I wanted to reflect on our frail nature,” the bass player explains, “…and also the crucial principle that sometimes less is more.” It also demonstrates that the album is quite beautifully recorded, capturing every nuance of his playing, and that of pianist Joanna Duda. 

Grochów is built on a skipping piano motif, but soon evolves into a different beast altogether, as the horns comes in – courtesy of Oskar Török on trumpet and Marek Pospieszalski on tenor saxophone. Punk-T Gdansk is an ode to freedom, and dedicated to the bass player’s hometown. It centres on a frenetic bass riff, but remains fun and accessible, despite its free jazz and punk influences.

Polka is the closest thing to straight-ahead jazz on the album, and was written in a 5/4 time signature, apparently to keep the groove going. Like most of the tunes here, it features some tight, punchy solos that are kept brief and to the point. 

Paris is a delightful composition, demonstrating Mazolewski’s ear for melody, and featuring a lovely saxophone solo by Marek Pospieszalski. Berlin is totally different, a more improvised tune influenced by Bowie-era Berlin and the more modern electronic and club scene. 

London is a three-part tune, which begins with some solo bass by Wojtek Mazolewski, before giving way to a Portobello Road and Notting Hill Carnival mix of ska and reggae, which the bass player describes as having “no limitations; you can meet the Beatles, Shabaka Hutchings, Squarepusher, The Clash, Evan Parker…” To his credit, he carries this ambitious project off, and demonstrates what this fine band is capable of.

In the same vein, Sunday manages to combine pop, ska and jazz into just five minutes, whilst the evocative Bangkok paints a more delicate version of the city, perhaps influenced by some of the temples, rather than the bustling street life. Theme de Yoyo is included as a ‘bonus track’, and it’s easy to see why Peterson liked the track, which bridges the gap between jazz, avant-garde and club music, and sounds very current, despite its 1970’s origins.

On paper, perhaps, it shouldn’t work. In practice, Mazolewski pulls these diverse influences together to quite stunning effect, helped by his skilled, enthusiastic and infectious band. Pianist Joanna Duda warrants a special mention, not only for her playing and funky solos, but also for her two compositions, Grochów and Krakow, which blend seamlessly with the bandleader's vision.

Polka is already one of my albums of the year, and will soon be on your list, too. Stunning.