Over the last several years, Poland has produced some of today’s most forward-thinking and innovative jazz artists and ensembles like EABS, Wojtek Mazolewski, Piotr Damasiewicz, and Bloto to just name a few. We can now add the Wrocław-based Sneaky Jesus to that last list, as the Polish quintet has just released a superb debut album, titled For Joseph Riddle on the South London label Shapes Of Rhythm.

The group features saxophonist Matylda Gerber, guitarist Maciej Forreiter, bassist Beniamin Łasiewicki, and drummer Filip Baczyński. For this session, the quartet was joined in the studio by Michał Szczepaniec on percussion, Wiktor Maternik on trumpet, and Mariano De Ona Martinez, who played Rhodes piano, synthesizers, and also helped produce the recording. Musically, the four-track 50-minute album is great from start to finish, featuring a nice blend of melancholic interwoven horn and guitar lines, combined with fierce solos, cosmic electric keys, and breakbeat drum rhythms.

Overall, a brilliant debut from a promising young group worth keeping an eye out for from here on out. Here is hoping this is only just the beginning for Sneaky Jesus, which would be exciting news for all of us!

Sneaky Jesus — ‘For Joseph Riddle’
(Shapes Of Rhythm)

1. Bugs
2. Józek Zagadka
3. Battledance
4. Minneapolis – Police Game

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• Jazz