The new music scene in Poland has diversified apace these past two decades, with the jazz scene in particular taking on a profile that would have been unthinkable in the communist era. One of its leading lights is Leszek Kułakowski, whose skilful combining of jazz and classical traits is evident on this new release. The Piano Concerto (2006) stands in a lengthy line of ‘fusion’ works as far back as Gershwin, and though Kułakowski’s is for the most part a post-bop take on the jazz idiom, its clear-cut formal design, allied to its alternation of toccata-like incisiveness and blues-inflected lyricism, is more redolent of mid-20th-century neo-classicism. Bogdan Kułakowski (the composer’s brother) copes ably with a solo part chock-full of Kapustin-like rhythmic treacheries, while also bringing a keen emotional poise to the more inward pages.

Sketches (2010) is still more eventful in the expressive give-and-take of jazz trio and orchestra. Some may recall Howard Brubeck’s conceptually similar Dialogues from half a century ago, and though Kułakowski brings off a similar amalgam with less panache, his keener formal focus makes for a more convincing work overall – not least in the extended cadenzas of the outer movements, which function as intensive developments of the material such that the interplay with orchestra can assume a more relaxed and playful demeanour. Assured playing by the composer’s trio makes one hope that his music may yet find its way to the UK. For now, vivid sound and detailed notes are further enhancements of this engaging disc.