Released October 7th 2025
Cat nr: lamour211dig
Written and produced by Mateusz Kowal
Mastered by Jerzy “Jedi” Gidelski
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Historical background and differences between Bebop and Techno
Bebop emerged in the 1940s as a form of artistic rebellion against commercial swing. It was an expression of independence and intellectual engagement among jazz musicians who focused on improvisation and instrumental virtuosity. This genre developed in the environment of jazz clubs, where music was created using traditional instruments—such as the saxophone, trumpet, piano, double bass, and drums. Improvisation, complex harmonies, and irregular phrasing defined its uniqueness and sophistication.
Techno, on the other hand, was born in the 1980s in Detroit, under entirely different circumstances. This genre arose from the development of electronic technology and drum machines, which made it possible to create music based on synthesizers, samplers, and sound programming. Techno is characterized by a repetitive, steady 4/4 rhythm and a minimalist, often hypnotic structure, dominated by trance-like sonic landscapes. It is club music, primarily aimed at generating energy and atmosphere on the dance floor.
In terms of function and audience, the two genres also differ significantly. Bebop was a form of expression aimed at a conscious listener and fellow musicians, emphasizing individuality and technical mastery. Techno, while it can also have artistic value, primarily serves as dance music and a medium for experiencing collective energy in club settings.
Differences are also apparent in the approach to improvisation. In bebop, improvisation is the heart of the music—musicians create live variations on melodies and harmonies, giving each performance a unique character. In techno, improvisation is usually limited to the production and mixing process, with tracks generally following a pre-planned, repetitive structure.
It is also worth noting the contrasting approaches to musical harmony. Bebop is known for its highly complex harmonic language, often employing extensions, modulations, and alterations that add richness and depth to the music. Bebop compositions and improvisations rely on dynamic harmonic changes, posing significant challenges for performers and listeners alike, and creating a multi-dimensional, intellectually stimulating musical experience. In contrast, techno generally relies on simpler, repetitive harmonic structures—or even avoids traditional harmony altogether—in favor of emphasizing rhythm and sonic texture. Harmony in techno is often minimal or static, which allows for the creation of a hypnotic atmosphere and the maintenance of a steady dance pulse over extended periods.
In conclusion, bebop and techno represent two distinct musical worlds that arose from different traditions and technologies. Bebop is acoustic jazz, rich in complex harmonies and improvisation, while techno is rhythm-driven electronic music, based on minimalism and a pulsating trance-like feel.
T-Bop
In light of the historical overview and the differences between the unpredictable, expressive, and edgy nature of bebop and the hypnotic, trance-like, and minimalist essence of techno, the need arose to reconcile these two radically different musical worlds through the creation of a new genre. The concept itself was born in my head at the turn of 2015 and 2016. This task required an unconventional approach to analyzing both genres and identifying the key components that could serve as a foundation for their coexistence.
One of the main shared elements is the 4/4 time signature, along with a fast tempo. These parameters form a bridge connecting two seemingly incompatible musical realms. Added to this is the minimalism characteristic of techno, which allows for the filling of otherwise unoccupied sonic space.
The sound elements derived from techno include, among others: the kick drum, the Roland 303 synthesizer (in my case, a digital emulation—Phoscyon 2 by D16 Group), ambient textures generated by my Nord Stage 2 EX 88 synthesizer to fill harmonically sparse areas, as well as various types of FX.
The sounds rooted in bebop consist of instruments typical of the genre (recorded in the studio using live instruments): drums, double bass, saxophone, trumpet, and piano.
Musicians featured on the recording:
Drums – Bartłomiej Libera
Double Bass – Mikołaj Główczyński
Saxophone – Dimitrios Hartwich-Vrazas
Trumpet – Mateusz Kowal
Piano – Mateusz Kowal
The recordings and mixing were carried out at Uniq Studio, located in Wrocław.
The mastering was done by my friend—Jerzy “Jedi” Gidelski.
The greatest challenge during the production of the album was reconciling the highly advanced and rich jazz harmony, on which bebop is based, with the extremely simple and straightforward harmonic structures characteristic of techno (often consisting of just one or two chords per track). This harmonic consensus lies at the heart of the philosophy behind this newly created genre.
I hope that the work on the album “T-Bop. Prologue” will shed new light on the potential for combining seemingly contrasting genres in a way that has not been previously explored.
Bio Mateusz Kowal
Mateusz Kowal was born on September 24, 1989. He spent his childhood in Byczyna, a small, picturesque town steeped in history and located in the southwestern part of Poland. His formal musical education began at the State Music School in Kluczbork, where he studied trumpet under the guidance of Ernest Malik. However, as he realized that classical music alone could not satiate his desire to explore the depths of musical expression, he redirected his path toward the Wrocław School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, immersing himself in the art of jazz under the mentorship of Zbigniew Czwojda.
At the same time, Kowal’s interests extended beyond music to the realm of the exact sciences. In 2016, he graduated with an engineering degree from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, specializing in the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering. He then pursued a scientific research career at the Department of Energy Conversion Engineering. Simultaneously, Kowal developed a profound connection with electronic music, embarking on an intense creative journey within the genre. This constant interplay between music and the exact sciences fostered a distinctive approach to understanding and constructing musical structures.
Kowal’s first attempt to share the soundscapes swirling within his mind materialized in 2022 with the release of his album No Concept. The collection comprises fifteen tracks firmly rooted in the electronic music genre, enriched by Kowal’s personal touch: he recorded all percussion, instrumental, and vocal samples himself. With this album, he temporarily steps away from his jazz background—not as a dismissal but as a deliberate exploration of a new creative frontier.
This experience was essential for the creation of a new musical genre: T-Bop. This genre blends elements of Bebop and electronic music (primarily techno), resulting in a previously unheard fusion of two seemingly distinct worlds. The first taste of this new genre can be heard on the newly released EP titled “T-Bop. Prologue.” This album is the result of eight years of work dedicated to merging two different musical styles. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Mateusz’s creative journey.
When we listen to Kowal’s music, one thing is certain: we are in for the unexpected. The composer has set himself the ambitious task of venturing into uncharted musical territories. What kind of world he has revealed, and what stories it holds, remains a mystery that will unfold in the autumn of 2025.
Reviews and radio
Chain DLK
“What’s remarkable here isn’t just the genre grafting – that’s been done before, usually poorly – but how “musical logic” is preserved even as two incompatible traditions try to dance. Kowal doesn’t smooth over the cracks; he highlights them. The swing rubs against the sequencer grid, the trumpet bends over the kick like a living organism over circuitry.”
https://www.chaindlk.com/reviews/13199
A Closer Listten
“Can be-bop and techno get along? We’re about to find out. Mateusz Kowal sprinkles T-Bop: Prologue with a healthy dose of trumpet along with other organic instruments and a lot of verve (Lamour, October 7).”
https://acloserlisten.com/2025/09/02/fall-music-preview-electronic-7/
Politechnika Wroclawska
“Mateusz Kowal – pracownik Wydziału Mechaniczno-Energetycznego, multiinstumentalista tworzący nowy styl muzyczny T-Bop – połączenie techno i jazzu.
„Zawsze najbardziej interesowały mnie tworzenie, improwizacja i eksplorowanie nieodkrytych muzycznych krain.”
https://pwr.edu.pl/uczelnia/jestem-z-pwr/mateusz-kowal-1-181.html