Highly recommended, all labels and classifications swept aside.

The notion of a pure form of a musical genre may soon become obsolete. More and more contemporary musicians have been reaching beyond their usual framework and blurring the lines between genres and subgenres. The classically trained Polish guitarist Piotr Wojcicki is one of such example – associated with Jazz milieu, he combines Rock, Jazz and Blues in his quest towards uniqueness and untrammelled artistic expression. Such a musical blend was a base of the third addition to his solo catalogue – an instrumental album entitled 'Moon City'.

'...City' paints its picture with a vast amount of musical colours, shades and tones. And what's more, this richness is by no means overwhelming – there's a place for both the Bluesy guitar and the ambient keyboard sound in the slow, Jazzy opening track 'Best Day Of My Life'. 'Silver Stardust' is not so much of a duel as it is of a dialogue between the Gary Moore-esque guitar and the alto, a combination that is quite surprising.

The title track starts with an Orient-flavoured intro only to develop into a composition which draws equally much from the complexity of Progressive Rock and the intensity of Jazz music. Based on a charming piano motif and ballad-ish in its nature, 'Stories From Old Treasure Chest' is laden with wistful guitar and alto flavours, with subtle echoes of Folk/Traditional music somewhere in the background. It's another track on the album that somewhat refers to the musical works of Moore, an artist Wojcicki is eager to cite as one of his biggest influences.

'Best Month For Birthday' shows yet another dimension to Wojcicki's music, a tasteful juxtaposition of Prog Rock-infused guitar and massive, dynamic keyboards that harkens back to that eighties-esque synth sound. Although slightly Jazzy in its texture, 'News From Afar' draws even more from the Blues aesthetics, embroidered with a handful of nifty but doleful six string licks.

'Blue Stone' is certainly less-guitar oriented than its predecessor, again a nod towards Jazz music. The album's grand finale approaches with an alternative take on '...Birthday', not so much the reprise of the aforesaid track as the mellow, wistful part of the entity it constitutes along with it.

'Moon City' is the third album Piotr Wojcicki released and his best so far, a fascinating resultant of his diversified influences – from Jazz, Fusion and Blues to Progressive Rock and Classic Rock. Although laden with tasteful and nifty licks and solos, it's not a typical guitar-oriented record – more focused on the substance and emotion than technical fret-work.

Highly recommended – all labels and classifications swept aside, as it's supposed to be done with any good music in the world.

Alexandra Mrozowska