Confusion Project: ‘Identity’

From its deep opening sonorous chords, ‘Identity’ from Poland’s Confusion Project reaches into your soul.

There is something totally captivating about the rhythmic title track that introduces this new album. The concept of identity seems to involve the individual musicians, the ensemble collectively and the listener.

Confusion Project’s music is composed by Michał Ciesielski (piano), all performed by Piotr Gierszewski (bass guitar) and Adam Golicki (drums). The jazz trio format moves between jazz and fusion, with clear influences from Polish folk and classical music, expertly creating a sound that edges towards prog rock and jazz fusion.

At the heart of Identity are five Mazurkas - composed and performed with a 21st century groove and jazz edge. The Mazurka form is fundamental to Polish folk music, popularised in the 19th century by composers like Chopin, who adapted the dance form to their own style - an idea perpetuated in these jazz versions by Confusion Project.

Later in the album, we have the delightfully-complex Simplicity, with a rhythmic groove established first by the piano before the trio runs loose with it. Ending Identity is the expansive What Now? which plays with the listener - a sudden ending that leaves the question of the title open.

In 2020, Confusion Project started an environmental initiative called #1CD1tree, driven by contributions from album purchases, and have since planted over 2000 trees on several continents in places devastated by human actions.

Identity is a jazz trio album of our time, with hints and nods to music of the past and questions about what the future holds.

Confusion Project has released ‘Identity’ via Dot Time Records