Record Reviews

PAKT ~ Z ARCHIWUM POLSKIEGO RADIA, VOL.06 POLSKIE RADIO 1066-1067 (Barcode: 5907812240660) ~ POLAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 2000 Released: 2007 PaktFind albums by this artist was another great Polish Rock band, which existed briefly between 1969 and 1974, creating some incredible music in the process, but never got the opportunity to record an album for the State owned MuzaFind albums on this label label. Founded in Wroclaw in 1969, the initial and most creative lineup of the group was fronted by female singer Ewa WojcikFind albums by this artist, singers / guitarist Tadeusz ProkopFind albums by this artist and Zbigniew WrzosFind albums by this artist, bassist Edward BasarabaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek KrzaklewskiFind albums by this artist. By the end of 1971 the original lineup of the group started to disintegrate and slowly fell apart completely. In 2000 the original lineup re-united and recorded a few tracks. The group performed almost exclusively original material, which mixed US East Coast Psychedelic influences with their Polish roots. Beautiful vocal harmonies, some first-rate guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section produced interesting, intelligent and quite excellent early Polish Flower Power Pop / Rock, which sounds surprisingly pleasant decades later. Of course their hippy subculture, attitude and clothing was impossible to swallow by the Socialist regime, which practically blocked they way too success, which of course was dependent on having an album on the market as well as the possibility to appear at the major music festivals at the time, which never happened. Fortunately these Radio recordings were made, documenting the group´s output, albeit far from ideal conditions. A great trip down the nostalgia lane!

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SPISEK ~ SPISEK GAD 065 (Barcode: 5901549197884) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1977 - 1978 Released: 2017 This is an archival release collecting previously unreleased radio recordings by the short lived Polish Funk / Jazz-Rock Fusion group SpisekFind albums by this artist, which consisted of saxophonist Stanislaw WinskiFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Leszek PaszkoFind albums by this artist and Andrzej DieringFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Janusz GoralskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jacek KrzaklewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Mieczyslaw JureckiFind albums by this artist and drummer Leszek ChalimoniukFind albums by this artist. On three tracks they are fronted by the charismatic vocalist Krzysztof CugowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, six of which were written by the group members (three each by Winski and Paszko) and three come from outside of the group. Spisek originated in the early 1970s as the Jazz-Rock Fusion group Spisek SzesciuFind albums by this artist (Complot Of SixFind albums by this artist) founded by Winski, and over the years it incorporated or contributed members to the leading Polish bands of the time, like Alex BandFind albums by this artist, PerfectFind albums by this artist, Budka SufleraFind albums by this artist and Porter BandFind albums by this artist. The group never recorded an album and these radio recordings are the only legacy they left. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Brass-Rock, Funk and Jazz-Rock Fusion, sparkling with superb musicianship and excellently crafted music. The brass section and the rhythm sections sound as good as any American or European groups at the time, and they present many unique Polish hooks. For Brass-Rock and Funky Jazz-Rock of the 1970s this album is an absolute revelation, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and ingenuity over the years. Considering that this music is available on record for the first time should make it very interesting to collectors worldwide! As usual our thanks go to the terrific team of GADFind albums on this label Records for making this music available, and liberating it from oblivion. Hats off!

Updated: 02/02/2018Posted: 01/02/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STALOWY BAGAZ ~ CIEZKI ROK GAD 056 (Barcode: 5901549197747) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1981 Released: 2017 This is an archival release presenting the debut album by Polish Rock group Stalowy BagazFind albums by this artist, which eventually never got to be released at the time it was recorded. The group comprised of experienced Polish rockers: vocalist Leslaw KotFind albums by this artist, guitarists Jacek KrzaklewskiFind albums by this artist and Aleksander MrozekFind albums by this artist, bassist Kazimierz CwynarFind albums by this artist and drummer Boleslaw PatrynFind albums by this artist, which were earlier on members of such legendary Polish Rock groups like NurtFind albums by this artist, TestFind albums by this artist and others. The original album included ten original songs, mostly composed by Mrozek, Krzaklewski and Cwynar. This remastered edition is expanded by the addition of four more songs from a radio session, not included on the debut album. The music is pretty straightforward Hard Rock, typical of the era, with nice instrumental work by the guitarists. Some traces of Punk and New Wave are also present, more in the group´s "attitude" than in the actual music. In retrospect this material still sounds fine, but lost most of its impact over time and has more historical / nostalgic than musical value. The album is definitely an important document of the Polish Rock history. As usual great digging and research by the GADFind albums on this label Records label, which restlessly brings back pieces of history back to life. Fans of Eastern European Hard Rock should find this release very interesting.

Updated: 19/07/2017Posted: 19/07/2017

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend