“Nobody’s Black” – said the leader of Miłość, Tymon Tymański, in one of the interviews. In fact, listening to his band I have serious doubts about Darwin’s theory.

Although from today’s perspective Miłość (which means “Love” in Polish) was definitely a dream-team, back then it was more like a bunch of friends, disobedient youngsters, nonconformist and self-confident musicians. From the very beginning the band was tightly connected with the Tricity’s (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot) alternative scene, inspiring a numerous bands of different genres. Their idea was, basically, not to follow in traditional jazz footsteps. Therefore its music is highly-improvised, independent of the generic limits, intentionally breaking compositions’ schemes. Of course, it would be only a sign of enormous pride, if it wasn’t justified by the musicians’ skills and original artistic vision. But that’s what characterises the biggest bands – the unbreakable will of challenging status quo, the ability to blow up the frames of reality and building them up in a new way.

The music of Miłość is an outcome of the tension between great individualities. Among them, were: classically educated musicians, such as Możdżer (piano) and Sikała (saxophone); insatiable searchers and artistic rebels like Tymański (double bass) and Trzaska (saxophone); and a miserable genius – Olter (his suicidal death made Miłość disbanded). As a result of their music was somehow balanced. A perfectly organized chaos that fluctuates from beautiful melodies (memorable cover of Velvet Underground’s “Venus In Furs”) to furious brass instruments’ solos (spontaneous “A Tribute to Drukpa Kunley”). Due to the members’ innovative attitude (not only towards music), Miłość is being often considered as the godfather of Yass – which is not really a genre but rather a blend of improvised music with jazz, rock and, essentially, everything you find inspiring.

The last album of Miłość “Talkin’ About Life and Death” features the great American trumpeter, member of Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie. His parts add a new sooth and mellow dimension to the band’s compostions. The whole album is a great testimony to passion and, indeed, the love of music. Kind of controversial, sometimes pervert, sometimes incomprehensible but always sincere and, basically, immense. Just try it out and get lovesick!

Recommended if you like: Lester Bowie, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Captain Beefheart, Thelonious Monk

Are you a musician? Are you looking for a place to play or record your work professionally? Do you sometimes even dream that it could be a nice, comfy and neat place? Should it also be not too expensive? Grzesiek Stefański from All Sounds Allowed, in conversation with Paul Mayevsky, talks about the studio/rehearsal room he and his band owns. The perfect place to concentrate and be creative. There are also special workshops during which one can learn the ropes of being in the studio.

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More info at www.play-ground.pl

Interesting concerts taking place in Wrocław this weekend. Ones one shall not experience no place else. In addition, this Sunday Wroclaw for a couple of hours will become a world capital of jazz along with Pat Metheny’s guitar in the Centennial Hall. This will at the same time be the beginning of the 46th edition of Jazz nad Odrą festival. Listen to Paul Mayevsky to know why this weekend Wroclaw is the place to be.

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Did Wrocław inform UEFA well about the problems the city faced with the stadium construction – that was the main question from the journalists during the press conference at the cyclical meeting of host cities representatives of Euro 2012. All because of the secret report quoted on Thursday by the daily “Rzeczpospolita”, in which UEFA is said to state that Wrocław’s stadium construction is in danger. However, mayor of Wrocław, Rafał Dutkiewicz, once again assured that stadium will be here on time and there are no worries about hosting Euro 2012 in our city. More about the meeting of the tournament hosts in conversation with Hanna Domagała from Euro 2012 bureau. By Przemek Pozowski

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Paul and Philip decide on the spur of the moment to tackle the weather forecast in a country way. Paul country guitar and Phil’s newfound country vocal skills account for top-notch entertainment. Listen and dress up warmly.

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Sound is merely a pressure wave that ripples through air. So how does the combination of sound waves that we know as music affect us? The answer to this question might come in disappointing. The music is in our brain. It is the brain processes that transform music from sound waves to what we hear and what moves us. Feeling a bit disappointed? There is an upside to this. Listen to Paul Mayevsky to know more.

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“Dobry wieczór we Wrocławiu”. This greeting – meaning “Good evening in Wrocław” – situated up on the roof of the building opposite the Main Railway Station, is undoubtedly one of the symbols of the city. In danger of dismantling, the green neon sign, featuring a plump gentleman tipping his hat, simply had to be saved by the people of Wrocław. And it was, with a little help from Tauron and the municipality. For details, listen to Jurek Chyb.

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Circulation – 3,000 copies. Target – 18,000 readers. Price – zero. Disappears from the stands in a couple of days. Not bad for an independent student monthly! But is B.E.S.T., the magazine for the students of the University of Economics in Wrocław, anything more than just a forum for those who want to kill the time by writing (and reading) about everyday student-related issues? In his chat with the Editor-in-Chief of B.E.S.T. Paweł Maleńczak, Jurek Chyb wonders whether there is still something that used to be called “student life” these days. And is it even possible at all to be truly independent if you publish a freesheet that seeks financial aid from the university’s authorities?

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No roof. A 360-horsepower engine. From 0 to 100 in four seconds. Maximum speed – 325 km/h. Any guesses? No, it’s not Formula 1. It’s the Bentley Continental GT Supersports. Can’t afford it? Then how about something smaller but equally sporty? Two possible picks, then: the VW Polo GTI or the new Citroen DS3 Racing. In Jurek Chyb’s update of what’s new in motoring, also learn where the socket is in the new, electric Opel Flextreme, as well as which car is best value for money – at least according to Australians.

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For more info in Polish check out www.moto24.tv

Having spent lifetime in the world of classical music the two students of Wroclaw Conservatory of Music – Mateusz Ławniczak and Michał Ołpiński – grab a chance to promote the field of their interest among the world wide audience. Even though Roll Over Beethoven focuses mainly on presenting the classical performances, it remains far different from the traditional classical music shows of that kind. What matters to Roll Over Beethoven apart from good music is the hosts’ personal and subjective view of it. Such attitude is probably best exemplified in a weekly section entitled “The Dead Ends of Classical Music Evolution” which features all those compositions which in the hosts’ opinion should never exist. Apart from this and other attractions an occasional live concert for two classical guitars might be expected. Here Michał and Mateusz will present their own instrumental abilities (“Fret Frenzy” section). Frankly speaking the two instrumentalists get increasingly convinced about the fact that talking about Shostakovich might be as much fun as reading his music. Every Thursday and Sunday from 9:30 to 11:30 pm. Enjoy!!

With the 46th edition of the annual Wrocław festival just round the corner, Jurek Chyb and Gabriel Skitaniak present a different side of Jazz nad Odrą. Because you see, there’s always a picture that hangs behind the sound. And this year, the official poster is just great. No wonder – the winning design had to beat a number of competitors to be selected, and the ones that were rejected are fairly interesting too. Who is responsible for the project? Where can you find all the designs? Listen to find out.

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Can an old lady be pneumatic? And what does the answer have to do with Prague’s Main Post Office Building? For those of you intrigued enough to spend a few minutes listening to the bizarre story of the longest-preserved operational system of tubes that transport letters, this episode of “My Prague” should be a treat. For those who don’t care, here’s a message – start caring or you’ll lose a story that will keep you (and the bunch of friends you tell it to) totally spooked. This is what Jurek Chyb guarantees. Or your money back.

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Blaugrana in crisis? By looking at their recent results, you wouldn’t perhaps say that much, but it’s enough to see them play to agree that Pep’s boys should count their blessings after the fortunate 1-1 draw in Stuttgart. The current Champions League cup holder, the Catalan team hopes to be back in form when the second leg of this round is played on 17 March. Listen to a brief account of all the remaining matches and a round-up of results in Jurek Chyb’s feature. Plus his view on the Vancouver Olympics as a special bonus.

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Do you have your own top-five favourite evergreens? Sure you do. Bogna Woźniak, the actress from the music theater Capitol, has her own list too, including songs by Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland and the theme from “Fiddler on the Roof”. But more importantly, she sings them on stage in the new Capitol premiere, called simply “Evergreen”. Listen to Bogna’s stories behind the songs she has selected. In conversation with Przemek Pozowski.

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For the dates of “Evergreen” (all sung in English), check out the Capitol website

This is what we like about British music…

Field Music was formed in Sunderland in 2004 by two brothers, David and Peter Brewis. They are close friends with Maximo Park and The Futureheads (a band also based in Sunderland) and sometimes the brothers appear on stage with them at their concerts and vice versa. But the music of the Brewis Brothers is very different from the music played by their colleagues. Whilst The Futureheads is a powerful rock band using a lot of energetic drums and guitars, Field Music is more at home in  a more melancholic and calmer version of britpop. It’s not a style of britpop comparable to Travis, Oasis or Coldplay, but neither is it like the style of indie produced by The Killers or The Editors. To put it fairly, it’s something in between…

“Them That Do Nothing” is a single from their latest album, “Field Music (Measure)”. The song is a light and enjoyable piece of guitar music and we hope you’ll enjoy it as well!

A conversation with Maciek Markowski from Kariera. They play a concert in Firlej club this Friday. Paul Mayevsky asks him about the music of the band, the idea of playing with so many other musicians on one stage as well as the history of the band Kariera. If one wants to listen to some punk rock music in folk arrangement, Firlej is the place to be. Listen to the interview to know more.

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Apparently, women are indeed cleverer than men. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, despite all the signs on Earth, that’s a fact. In a survey conducted via an online board game, Trivial Board, women scored better overall. Listen to very sad Paul Mayevsky to know more.

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More info on the upcoming, new edition of the battle of the sexes at www.trivialpursuitexperiment.com.

Too old to rock? Too young to go? Neither. The band, despite their long history, still rocks and rolls. This Friday they are playing another one of the unforgettable gigs in Berlin. Berlin, only 340 km, only 3.30 hours in the car, and the memories – never to be forgotten. Only true masters do their thing for more than 40 years. Buckle up and see the gig. Say Paul Mayevsky sent ya.

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Over the past few years touchscreen technology has made a big impact on next-generation smartphones and laptops. There is a new invention called tablet PC’s. Will they be adopted by the future consumers? Will they be able to make a change and a swift from the regular open-up laptops to completely new type of devices? Listen to Paul Mayevsky to know more.

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Exhibition “Biology Chemistry Physics” presenting the works of: Waldemar Pranckiewicz, Łukasz Rusznica and Krzysztof Solarewicz, refers to  photography as a kind of a process based on the above mentioned scientific fields, and explores significant traces – those of life and death -  the organizers state. However, to make it more simple – just go to the Design Gallery in Świdnicka Street to see a bunch of a good photos. Before, listen to the talk with Kasia Roj, who runs the spot. By Przemek Pozowski

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