Dustin Carlson - Krakowians (2025) [Hi-Res]

All of this music is dedicated to the late Damian Niewinsky, who was the heaviest in the whole world and to whom I owe my love of Poland.

Silny Sławek- The word “silny” means strong, which is little commentary on Sławek’s playing in general and especially on the metal influenced ending of this the record’s longest track. The track also features a great solo by Bartek flying over the oblong vamps I wrote for the rhythm section.

Mongbogger- Add to the list of pieces written by the sparse approach to accompaniment exemplified by Julius Hemphil’s Dogon AD. I played this tune with a short slide because I was in a Freddy McDowell obsession at the time.

Forest Dance- My favorite track on the record, we only play the tune on the head out.

Tarnow Wobble- Inspired by some time hanging with David Torn I was getting more and more into the use of the whammy bar.

Fuga- indeed it is a fugue of sorts, dispersed through the bass violin and saxophone with guitar improvisation over top.

Grai- the only fully improvised tune on the record.

Wisła Noc- sort of a “closing credits” vibe. The Wisła is a river that wraps around the city of Krakow; “noc” means night. I wrote this record while crashing with Bartosz on the outskirts of the city and there were many late night walks home along the Wisła in the dark.

All of this music with the exception of the countermines in Fuga and Grai was written in one week while I was a guest in the apartment of Bartosz Dworak in Krakow. Basically the story is that in 2018 I was on the road with the Nat Osborn band and we had a string of dates get cancelled so my friend Kuba suggested we play a jazz gig with Bartosz, Dawid, Sławek and I, and instead of playing free or calling tunes I chose to write us a set of material. Later, because it was such an experience playing with and knowing these musicians, I flew myself back to Poland to play a few more gigs with this band and to record at Monochrom Studio. I think that was the same trip that we also recorded Sławek’s, “The Flash with Dustin Carlson” record. Krakow is a place I have traveled to many times. For a time I went so often that I could speak enough Polish to run rehearsals and announce the band. Its a remarkable thing that this recording exists and despite having sat on if for a few years I really enjoy listening to it as I hope you will too.
-dustin carlson