In the end, you will be diggin’ Nicholas Mrozinski’s distinct musical qualities as an authentic artist of this millennium.
Nicholas Mrozinski: Press
"This music draws you in, and keeps you fixated from the first note. It's like falling in love with music all over again."
“A Chosen One...Mrozinski lets the listener know that he cares and does so with a special enamor...all told through his Magnetizing and Global Voice”
"Simply brilliant. Beautiful, powerful energy."
Nicholas Mrozinski’s 4th studio album displays a marked maturity that takes years to cultivate. From the first track, “Window Of Sage”, to the markedly-understated finale, “Della Jean”, Together We’re Stronger is one of the deeper and more introspective albums that I have heard recently.
The album is beautifully-crafted, and features a mastery of build-ups and break-downs reminiscent of recent Jack Johnson albums.
Mrozinski’s voice, nestled somewhere in between tenor and baritone, channels the sincerity of Ray LaMontagne and mixes it with the playfulness of Jason Mraz.
This album makes my short list of best local releases of 2009.
Speaking about Nicholas' "Across the Universe" rendition for the Charity album, the Minnesota Beatle Project.
"Such a bizarre take on that song, I think I like it ALOT!"
One can never get enough of classic Beatles tunes, and the disc totes unique covers by Minnesota artists in the name of good causes. 100% of the proceeds of the album go toward supporting and enhancing music programs in Minnesota public schools.
My personal favorite track on the CD is the soulful and unique spin cast on “Across the Universe” by Nicholas Mrozinski.
"Mrozinski is just a terrific composer. The fact that he could string together so many wonderful moments on one disc just blows the mind.
Unless his songwriting keeps evolving at this impossible-to-maintain rate, this record will most likely go down in the books as his “Pet Sounds.” It moves effortlessly from lush, gorgeous numbers like “Easter and Keeko” and “What’s This?” to ones like “Predictable” and “And You Will,” which benefit from light programming flourishes.
“Together We’re Stronger” is all at once expansive and as inviting as the cheek grooves in your sofa.
Like Wilco did with “Summer Teeth,” Mrozinski is starting to come out of his shell, and it’s really a marvelous thing."
"...groovy Little Feat jams bumping up against Dave Matthews-ish feel-good choruses... Mrozinski's John Hiatt-like howl and bouncy piano keep things flowing..."
"Mrozinski assembled a small army of collaborators from local bands like the Big Wu, God Johnson, the Root City Band and Down Lo to help record his new album, "Together We're Stronger." The result is a loose and likeable disc that's sure to find an appreciative audience..."
Featured as the "Take Note" Artist of the Month June 2009. http://www.mspmag.com/entertainment/music/148954.asp
Nicholas "the feelin" Mrozinski isn't just a breath of fresh air. He's like the first breath of air after emerging from the deep end of the pool.
Saint Paul, Minnesota's Nicholas Mrozinski lost over one hundred pounds since his last album, acquiring a world of new energy and perspective. Mrozinski channeled both into his newest project, Together We're Stronger, with the help of some of the best and brightest of the Minneapolis music scene. Together We're Stronger features Mrozinski's signature voice and far-reaching influences in a project that can be downright confounding but also produces flashes of genius.
There are some great moments here...
Mrozinski brings a Joe Cocker air to Together We're Stronger, opening with the Country/Americana flavored "Window Of Sage." It's a song about stripping away the things that slow us down on the path of life, getting back to the basics that sustain us. The song develops into a lyrically dense bit of musical poetry, including a big, warm chorus that works in horns, guitar, bass, keys and some strong vocal harmonies in the background.
"Easter And Keeko" takes stock of the important things in a Van Morrison-esque Folk-Rocker with just a hint of edge. This is a joyous song, although in the subdued persona Mrozinski projects.
"What's This" allows Mrozinski to show off his soulful side, with a strong R&B style tune with distinctive Country undertones. This is a great tune that will get stuck inside your noggin and refuse to leave.
"Above All Else" is a sorrowful song of devotion that underscores the need to seize the moment. The song drips emotion without sounding cliché as Mrozinski's big, textured voice takes the helm of the melody and drives it home.
"Queen Of The Angels" tries to loosely recreate an urban soundscape underscore by a funky bass line that makes you want to get up and move. There's a vaguely psychedelic feel to the song that all includes a spiritual element to it. This is one of the more intriguing compositions on the disc as Mrozinski plays with sounds grandly throughout the song, all thrown up against a light Reggae beat.
"...an organic, collaborative creation from production to packaging
Mrozinski’s music is more suited for sunshine-filled afternoons where the birds are awake and the sounds of the world are alive to sing harmony..."
So many of these songs are transcendently soulful and put a happy, bittersweet lump in my throat. The Sacred Play of Life is a bold, eclectic wonder, richer with each listen.
“If this Saint Paul balladeer had us falling back in love with music earlier this year with the Feelin Band’s “The Sacred Play of Life,” this piano-laden solo effort does it one over…This man is capable of producing such a warm sound, you’d swear you were sitting in front of an open flame…”
"Possessing a voice suffused with smoky swagger both onstage and in casual conversation..."
"...Nick's distinctive voice...flutters up and down a very large vocal range. At times it is warm and low and others high and flighty. This gives the songs great depth of soul.
...not only did a lot of thought go into the content of the album, but the physical production was responsibly thought out, as well.
All in all, I am interested in where Nick Mrozinski is going."
"...stimulating the brain and the heart
It is Mrozinski’s vision, along with his versatile voice and prolific songwriting talents, that has shaped the band.
The Sacred Play of Life is a 17-track journey into love, life, and spirit. Woven through its songs are blues, jazz, rock, country, pop, reggae, and theatrical and klesmer stylings, as well as a sprinkling of hip-hop and R&B. The band is able to handle all of these genres easily.
But more difficult for any band would be the diverse vocal styles. Mrozinski is able to deliver those with ease and grace. There are the Delta sounds of Leon Russell and Aaron Neville in his voice. Sometimes, he has flavors of Tom Jones and Van Morrison. Sometimes, his voice has an echo of John Legend and Tom Waits."
"Chock full of 17 tracks of hope and optimism led by Mrozinski's passionate vocals and piano.
These are songs of true feelings. It's one thing to write songs and sing about being down and out and rising above, but when you've actually been down and out and have been through the struggle, it shows in song.
This isn't soul music by classification alone; it's soul music because that's where it comes from."
Together We're Stronger...voted one of the Best New Releases June 2009.
Folk/World influences abound. Calls to mind Richie Havens with Mrozinski's clear, strong vocals that make impassioned pleas to the listener.
The music is warm enough to make you think you are sitting in front of a cozy fire on a cold rainy night. For anyone who likes mellow singer/songwriter music with a lot of soul, piano, and a great backing orchestral sound.
For his new offering Together We’re Stronger, which launched in June with a release event at Minneapolis’s Cedar Cultural Center, he had a roster of heavyweights—guests from some 40 bands in all—sitting in to help with the recording.
It’s a blend of laid-back rock and country with a hint of the blues, over which Mrozinski applies a solid, emotive vocal.
Needless to say, when he gets up on stage, Nicholas Mrozinski has a rich pool of talent to call on...
Nicholas Mrozinski is creating quite the buzz in the music industry especially with his soulful pop vocals and enriching lyrics. Mrozinski is making music that speaks to the heart and soul. Listening to his tracks from his latest release titled Together We're Stronger (2009) will make fans appreciate top quality music that music lovers can relate.