At first listening, this Polish-Scandinavian collaboration seems almost too archetypal ECM for its own good. But there‘s more to UNLOVED than the surface of the surface may offer. So wait and listen. My edition of Deutschlandfunk’s „JazzFacts“ on December 7th, 9.05 p.m., will shed some light over Marciej Obara‘s debut on ECM. And the sax player will speak about it, in his home language. Other themes are in preparation. Please let us not discuss t h i s album here. But: are there brand new or quite new jazz, jazz-related albums out there (from lesser known labels) I might present on that evening‘s program? Do I have to go back to some overlooked gems? Nearly no one knows, for example, the highly inventive approach to Erik Satie, performed by a piano player and a cornetist, right?! Released on Steeplechase Records. And, with special works, it’s always the question what can still be called jazz in the widest sense? Jon Balke‘s fantastic new album seems a bit far out for a program called „JazzFacts“. Mhmm … For German listeners: a week later, December 14th, same time, Anouar Brahem’s internationally acclaimed new work is in the focus of Karl Lippegaus‘ portrait.