I don't think that any band in Poland plays on the same level as Funky Groove... Performance-wise, the album proves itself faultless: the rhythm section of Jahr and Grabowy works like a machine, creating a steady yet flexible "funky groove", and both guitarists not only admirably co-operate, supporting and complementing each other, but their improvisations come across as very well-set and thought out. The composition side of the record is no less solid and interesting. The music, penned mostly by Artur Lesicki, has the character, the punch and the ear-friendly melodies. [...]

...The record, just like a debut album should, begins with a lot of spirit - "Studio Cafe Blues" is based on a strong funk rhythm. The name of the band suggests funk to be the main ingredient on the record, yet this is not entirely true. Echoes of funk are still heard in "Mr. H. Reggae", which is a laid-back number, but later starts to gain pace with improvisations. In the sunny-sounding "Secret Love" Latin American influences are quite audible, as well as in the lively "Recollecting", which also seems to be just the instrumentalists' track - Tomasz Grabowy and Marcin Jahr in turn flaunt their abilities, and the guitar improvisations probably are the strongest ones on the record. The stand-out number is the surprisingly cool "Strange Meeting" by Bill Frisell, where a lot of space is created by delicate (yet effect-aided) guitars playing on top of a fretless bass and mallets. The record ends with "Walking Theme", whose first notes may remind one of the "Spirit of Django" album by James Taylor... ...To sum up - a strong debut. Both guitarists are able to fuse good guitar traditions with a new-sounding approach and do not strain themselves while actually doing it.

...I purposefully accented the presence of two lead guitars, because what strikes one the most from the very beginning is that clear, selective guitar sound. The lack of electronic keyboard instruments does not have to make the sound of bands of this genre poorer. Quite the opposite - thanks to this Funky Groove's music has become more unified and clear. Additionally, both guitarists manage both in-turn-improvisating as well as accompanying each other. The frontmen are supported by bassist Tomasz Grabowy, who improvises with ease in as many as 4 tracks (eg. "Secret Love").... ...Funky Groove is the type of a band which does not stand out among others on the Polish jazz stage - it just accents the fact that this year has undoubtedly belonged to "electric guitars"...

The new Funky Groove record has supplied me with a lot of satisfaction and happiness. These feelings are due to the reception of its musical content - refined and stylistically consequent, yet filled with expression and emotion. The additional catalyst is the idea that despite all that currently is considered popular in today's Poland, these people can still deliver compositions so creative and important, and still within the borders of this country... ...Guitarists Artur Lesicki and Marek Napiorkowski, bassist Tomasz Grabowy and drummer Marcin Jahr demonstrate the highest level of professionalism fused with truth of the statement. Their compositions are created with full commitment. Great technical skills let them freely put their ideas into reality, yet they never fall into the trap of delivering pure, meaningless talent display. The other people who feature on the record are singer Dorota Miśkiewicz and percussionist Nippy Noya. Good co-operation of all has caused none of the tracks to be weaker than others. Quite the opposite, despite the different stylistics and rhythm meters, melodies and harmonies, the album is very unified. An excellent record which simply makes you listen to it over and over again. Well done.