The Hagaw Assoziation - Happy Hagaw (2015) [Hi-Res]

How to describe this Polish band, this music? Bandleader Grzegorz Brudko explains, “You simply can’t call our music ‘traditional’. We play in Hagaw style.” Call it trad, old-time, swing; it’s irreverent, comedic, with musical antics that straddle the line between party music and German cabaret. There is music in their madness, however. Solitude shows their serious side with a beautiful arrangement that would have pleased Ellington. Mr. Beard has a 20’s flapper feel with a muted trumpet and a two-beat bass sax that takes over what would normally be the tuba’s job. Ellington’s Mood Indigo is played straight – Wlodzimierz Cuik vocalizes with a stand-up wah-wah trumpet solo. What can you say about a tune called Der Alte Bison Uff Uff? The whole herd stampedes on this piece, with a fine violin solo riding on top. Black and Tan Fantasy, from Ellington’s 1927 band that included trumpet legend Bubber Miley, has the Assoziation following the feel of the original, with an exemplary solo by Cuik in Miley’s inimitable plunger mute style. Music for when you’re looking for a bit of fun, laughs, and a good old-time feel