Record Reviews
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  | ARP LIFE ~ JUMBO JET
GAD 020 (Barcode: 5901549197259) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1975 - 1978 Released: 2014
This album is a reissue of the recordings made by Polish ensemble Arp LifeFind albums by this artist, which was co-led by three composers / arrangers: Mateusz SwiecickiFind albums by this artist, Andrzej KorzynskiFind albums by this artist and Maciej SniegockiFind albums by this artist. The group never had a "real" lineup and was essentially a studio outfit, hiring musicians on the ad-hoc basis to record their music. Over time some of Poland´s famous instrumentalists took part in these recordings but paradoxically the ARP Synthesizers, which gave the ensemble its name, were never used by them, as they preferred the Minimoog. The ensemble also cooperated with Poland´s most famous female vocal group AlibabkiFind albums by this artist, which sings the occasional vocal parts. This reissue comprises of two albums released by the ensemble, one of which was released only in cassette format, and a few singles which are included here as bonus tracks.
The music is a typical late 1970s Pop / Disco monstrosity, which can’t be saved by the clever arrangements and occasional interesting instrumental parts. This kind of music paved the road for the dreaded Disco Polo, taking the Art away from music or whatever was left of music in time. But not all is lost, as this album is a perfect example of what should be avoided at all costs while playing music! And of course listening to this stuff today can be a funny and even a hilarious experience, a couple of bottles of vodka later on.
Basically this kind of stuff should be left forgotten in the garbage bins of history, but apparently bad taste never dies and this music has a lot of demand today. Oh well, what do I know?
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | HALINA FRACKOWIAK ~ GEIRA
GAD 095 (Barcode: 5903068120299) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2019
This is a reissue of the second album by Polish Pop / Rock vocalist Halina FrackowiakFind albums by this artist, which she recorded with the legendary Polish group SBBFind albums by this artist comprising of bassist / keyboardist Jozef SkrzekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Apostolis AnthimosFind albums by this artist and drummer Jerzy PiotrowskiFind albums by this artist. The omnipresent female vocal ensemble AlibabkiFind albums by this artist guests on the final track. The album presents nine original songs, all composed by Skrzek with lyrics by Julian MatejFind albums by this artist, a Polish poet who often cooperated with Skrzek.
The music presents a diverse collection of themes, which might surprise the SBB / Skrzek fan base, and which is quite different from the material he composed for the group. It is certainly more ambitious, complex and extended than what most of the Polish Pop / Rock mainstream scene was into at the time, and as a result manages to remain interesting even today, whereas most of Frackowiak contemporaries and their output are long forgotten. The album reflects Frackowiak´s modus operandi as a determined Artists, always looking to expand her horizons and deal with non-trivial material, often connected with Polish poetry, which has set her apart from other Pop performers in her country.
The sound, which is drenched in synthesizer overdose, is definitely dated, but a few guitar solos, inventive drumming and great vocal performances save the day overall and the album is an interesting, albeit a bit nostalgic trip to the history of the Polish Pop / Rock scene of the late 1970s.
For the many SBB / Skrzek fans this album is an integral part of the extended discography and a must for collectors. As usual, kudos to the GADFind albums on this label Records label for bringing this music back to life from the deep cellars of the Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label archives.
| | Updated: 17/02/2020Posted: 17/02/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SKALDOWIE ~ WSZYSTKO MI MOWI ZE MNIE KTOS POKOCHAL (EXPANDED EDITION)
KAMELEON 02 ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2013
This is the second album by the legendary Polish group SkaldowieFind albums by this artist, one of the most influential groups during the Golden Decade east of the Iron Curtain. Founded by brothers: Andrzej ZielinskiFind albums by this artist (vocalist, keyboardist, composer, arranger and leader) and Jacek ZielinskiFind albums by this artist (vocalist, trumpeter, percussionist), Skaldowie epitomized everything that was great about the Polish scene in the late 1960s / early 1970s, which struggled against all odds with economic hardships, political censorship and relative isolation from the Western centers of musical progress at the time. Considering those objective adversities, their achievements were simply phenomenal and the music they created remains a symbol of human genius and creativity overcoming all limitations.
The album was recorded in partly in 1967 and than completed in 1968, while the personnel of the group was still unsteady and included: guitarists Jerzy TarsinskiFind albums by this artist, Marek JamrozyFind albums by this artist and Feliks NaglickiFind albums by this artist, bassists Konrad RatynskiFind albums by this artist and Tadeusz GogoszFind albums by this artist, and drummer Jan BudziaszekFind albums by this artist. The female vocal group AlibabkiFind albums by this artist accompanies the group on several tracks.
Musically the album clearly shows the group´s stylistic development from the debut album, full of sophisticated Pop, Psychedelia and Baroque Rock. The beautiful arrangements involving orchestra and choir by Andrzej Zielinski, who also composed all but one of the album´s songs, are outstanding. He presents incredible talent to compose breathtakingly beautiful melodies and his arrangement skills, which involved vocal harmonies, unexpected tempo changes and multi-themed songs, as well as catchy riffs, which made this music, in spite of its complexity and sophistication, accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Skaldowie used excellent lyrics, which were written by the best Polish lyricists at the time, like Leszek Aleksander MoczulskiFind albums by this artist, Agnieszka OsieckaFind albums by this artist, and Wojciech MlynarskiFind albums by this artist, Luckily they were never tempted to sing in English and stuck with their native tongue. Of course the Polish lyrics are lost to listeners not speaking the language, but the music is definitely strong enough to stand on its own and Skaldowie achieved a worldwide following despite the language barrier.
This expanded edition includes thirteen bonus tracks (more than doubling the original album´s length), all of which are radio recordings. The bonus tracks all have excellent quality and are a valuable addition to the original album.
This is almost a perfect piece of Pop / Rock music, a status they were about to reach in their next albums. Of course the destiny placed the group at the right time at the wrong place. Had they been active in UK or US they would have been a Rock icon, no doubt, but alas it was not to be. Nevertheless they made a tremendous contribution to East European music and many of their albums are absolute gems, this one included.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | TADEUSZ WOZNIAK ~ TADEUSZ WOZNIAK (ODCIEN CISZY)
MUZA 1289 (Barcode: 5907783422898) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2010
This is the 2nd album by Polish singer / songwriter Tadeusz WozniakFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest representatives of Polish Progressive Rock / Folk-Rock scene in the late 1960 / early 1970. Wozniak wrote some incredible melodies to the words of contemporary Polish poets (among them Bogdan LoeblFind albums by this artist who also cooperated with BreakoutFind albums by this artist) and performed them accompanied by his own exceptional acoustic guitar. On this album he is supported by some of the best Polish Prog musicians at the time, as well as a string quartet and the female vocal group AlibabkiFind albums by this artist. This album is much more advanced than the debut and includes a 14 minutes long piece, which gives the album its title. In retrospect this music represents some of the best sounds of the incredible Polish music scene at the time. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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