Record Reviews

KLAN ~ MROWISKO GAD 097 (Barcode: 5903068120374) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the iconic debut album by the legendary Polish Rock group KlanFind albums by this artist, formed in 1969 by vocalist / guitarist / composer Marek AlaszewskiFind albums by this artist and including also keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman PawelskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej PoniatowskiFind albums by this artist. The lineup that recorded this music includes also a brass section, string section, two percussionists and a chorus singing background vocals. The album presented thirteen original songs, all composed by Alaszewski, with lyrics by Marian SkolarskiFind albums by this artist. This reissue adds four songs from the group´s EP released before this album was released, as bonus tracks. The music was originally written as part of an innovative multi-media spectacle, but in retrospect achieved the celebrated status of a pioneering and groundbreaking album in Polish Rock and early Art / Progressive Rock. It offers a spectacular amalgam of advanced musical forms, which include complex improvisations, obviously Jazz influenced, Rock riffs influenced by Hard Rock, and of course a potent dose of Polish lyricism and melancholy omnipresent in all music created in the country. The thirteen songs and instrumental pieces are all connected, creating a classic "concept album" structure, with no breaks between the tracks and a continuous musical coherence, full of superb melodies and complex harmonies. Half a Century later this music still sounds very impressive and lost absolutely nothing of its original power and charm. Sadly the original group did not release any more albums, but GADFind albums on this label Records released four CDs with archival studio and live recordings by the group, which present a much wider scope of their activities and are all absolutely fascinating. Although this album was already reissued several times before, those reissues tend to sell out rather rapidly and it´s great to see it available again. For Polish Rock lovers and Prog enthusiasts this is an absolute must have and of course a vital piece of East European Rock history.

Updated: 08/03/2020Posted: 08/03/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KLAN ~ NERWY MIAST GAD 016 (Barcode: 5901549197198) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2014 This is the second album released by the Polish reissue label GADFind albums on this label Records, which presents material recorded by the legendary Polish Rock ensemble KlanFind albums by this artist, which was led by guitarist / composer Marek AlaszewskiFind albums by this artist and also included keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Roman PawelskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej PoniatowskiFind albums by this artist. The album includes eighteen tracks recorded between early 1969 and mid 1971, which is the initial period of the band´s existence. Most of the recordings are taken from the Polish Radio archives, one was recorded at the Polish Film Studios in Warsaw, like all the material on the album released earlier by GAD Records, and the last three were recorded "live" (without audience). The recordings collected here are all both interesting musically and of quite surprising sound quality, which makes this album a true gem, not to mention its historic importance as far as Polish Rock history is concerned. Considering the fact that the group released originally only one LP and one EP, an addition of two CDs full of unreleased material is nothing short of phenomenal. Klan presented a very ambitious variety of Art Rock, certainly unique on the Polish scene at the time. Their instrumental work, which was based on Jazzy riffs and improvisation, was more advanced musically than that practiced by most of their contemporaries. They were the first true rebels and obvious nonconformist on the Easter European scene, preceded only by the work of Czeslaw NiemenFind albums by this artist and his groups. Overall this is definitely a worthy addition to the recorded legacy of Polish Rock and should be received enthusiastically by early East European Rock / Prog fans all over the world. Of course people who care about preserving the cultural heritage should be deeply grateful to GAD Records for making all this happen. Not to be missed!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KLAN ~ SENNE WEDROWKI GAD 003 (Barcode: 5901549197020) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2011 KlanFind albums by this artist is one of several enigmatic / idiosyncratic and later legendary ensembles, which briefly arrived on the Polish Rock scene crossing the firmament like a comet and hardly leaving any trace. Formed in early 1969 by guitarist / composer Marek AlaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej PoniatowskiFind albums by this artist, the group was completed with the addition of keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and bassist Roman PawelskiFind albums by this artist. Later that year they recorded four songs, which were released on their debut EP. Rather than following the "usual" path of many other contemporary Pop / Rock groups of the time, they performed only sporadically and got involved in the production of a multi-media spectacle / ballet called "MrowiskoFind albums with this title", for which they provided the soundtrack. The soundtrack was finally recorded in March 1971 and released later that year, turning in time into one of the most iconic Polish Rock albums. Unfortunately the group folded shortly after "Mrowisko" was recorded. They disappeared from the scene, returning briefly some twenty years later with another album called "Po Co Mi Ten RajFind albums with this title". Surprisingly, only very few people were aware of the fact that the group recorded thirteen original instrumentals (all composed by Alaszewski) just a month before the studio version of "Mrowisko" was recorded, which see the light of day on this album for the first time, some forty years later. This music was recorded by the Polish Film Studios in Warsaw and was meant to serve as library music for the film makers to be used as soundtracks for the documentaries produced by the studio. Many of the tracks included here were indeed incorporated later on as soundtracks. The music is a mixture of Pop / Rock riffs and melodic themes, spiced with some Jazzy improvisations, similar to the instrumental Rock produced by other groups at the time. Although well played and recorded the music lacks the edge that characterizes their a.m. legendary album and in retrospect sheds only a little additional light on the group´s achievements and its musical value is less important. Of course the historic significance of this music is beyond reproach and kudos is due to GADFind albums on this label Records for restoring, releasing and bringing this piece of Polish Rock legacy / history to light. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 08/03/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KLAN ~ SENNE WEDROWKI (SECOND EDITION) GAD 098 (Barcode: 5903068120312) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2019 KlanFind albums by this artist is one of several enigmatic / idiosyncratic and later legendary ensembles, which briefly arrived on the Polish Rock scene crossing the firmament like a comet and hardly leaving any trace. Formed in early 1969 by guitarist / composer Marek AlaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej PoniatowskiFind albums by this artist, the group was completed with the addition of keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist and bassist Roman PawelskiFind albums by this artist. Later that year they recorded four songs, which were released on their debut EP. Rather than following the "usual" path of many other contemporary Pop / Rock groups of the time, they performed only sporadically and got involved in the production of a multi-media spectacle / ballet called "MrowiskoFind albums with this title", for which they provided the soundtrack. The soundtrack was finally recorded in March 1971 and released later that year, turning in time into one of the most iconic Polish Rock albums. Unfortunately the group folded shortly after "Mrowisko" was recorded. They disappeared from the scene, returning briefly some twenty years later with another album called "Po Co Mi Ten RajFind albums with this title". Surprisingly, only very few people were aware of the fact that the group recorded thirteen original instrumentals (all composed by Alaszewski) just a month before the studio version of "Mrowisko" was recorded, which see the light of day on this album for the first time, some forty years later. This music was recorded by the Polish Film Studios in Warsaw and was meant to serve as library music for the film makers to be used as soundtracks for the documentaries produced by the studio. Many of the tracks included here were indeed incorporated later on as soundtracks. The music is a mixture of Pop / Rock riffs and melodic themes, spiced with some Jazzy improvisations, similar to the instrumental Rock produced by other groups at the time. Although well played and recorded the music lacks the edge that characterizes their a.m. legendary album and in retrospect sheds only a little additional light on the group´s achievements and its musical value is less important. Of course the historic significance of this music is beyond reproach and kudos is due to GADFind albums on this label Records for restoring, releasing and bringing this piece of Polish Rock legacy / history to light. Definitely worth investigating! This second edition of the album brings this item back to life after the first edition was sold out. It offers a new graphic design and the liner notes are only in Polish language, but the content is identical.

Updated: 08/03/2020Posted: 08/03/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SHOW BAND ~ DNO PRZESTRZENI GAD 072 (Barcode: 5901549197976) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018 This is the second archival album with previously unreleased material by the Polish trio Show BandFind albums by this artist, led by bassist Anatol WojdynaFind albums by this artist, which also included keyboardist Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist (ex-Klan) and drummer / violinist Jan MazurekFind albums by this artist (ex-BreakoutFind albums by this artist, QuorumFind albums by this artist). Percussionist Aleksander BemFind albums by this artist (ex-BemibekFind albums by this artist) appears as a guest musician. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wojdyna. The music is a mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion, Funk, Soul and Groove, all on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but presenting solid compositions and excellent musical skills by the musicians. In retrospect the music sounds a bit dated due to the retro sound / ambience, but followers of Polish Funk should be delighted by this material, exactly in the same manner as with the previously released album by this trio. After recording this material, which was originally recorded as library music for the Polish Film Chronicle, the trio fell apart and the musicians followed separate paths. In retrospect this album is a nice collection of Polish Funk, which over four decades later still finds new followers all over the world, in spite of the fact that it is almost completely unknown. Another great find by GADFind albums on this label Records, which keeps great music safe from oblivion.

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: 17/04/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SHOW BAND ~ PUNKT STYKU GAD 013 (Barcode: 5901549197143) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 Released: 2014 The Show BandFind albums by this artist trio was one of many Polish ensembles, which never managed to record an album during their lifespan as a band, although performed extensively in Poland and abroad. Formed by bassist Anatol WojdynaFind albums by this artist it also included Hammond organ player Maciej GluszkiewiczFind albums by this artist (ex-KlanFind albums by this artist) and drummer Jan MazurekFind albums by this artist (ex-BreakoutFind albums by this artist), the trio played music that stylistically floated between Jazz-Rock Fusion and Funk, and managed to work out a specific sound and feel, which sounded more like American instrumental Funk bands (Booker T. & The MG`sFind albums by this artist immediately come to mind) than Eastern European ensembles at the time. Luckily for us, the band was approached by the Warsaw Documentary Filmmakers Group (WDF) to records a series of tracks, which would be later used as background music for the Polish Film Chronicle documentary series. The trio eagerly accepted the offer and recorded in early 1974 ten tracks, eight of which were original compositions by Wojdyna and two were compositions by Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist. For the recording the trio was expanded by two guest musicians: pianist Jan JarczykFind albums by this artist and percussionist Aleksander BemFind albums by this artist. The recorded music survived the tides of time and sounds superbly after being remastered to modern standards. Forty years later this music lost nothing of its charm and zest and is definitely worth being remembered and listened to. Although pretty straightforward it offers quality melodic contents and great performances. It is also a great opportunity to pay tribute to the sadly departed Jarczyk, who plays some truly excellent stuff here. For lovers of Polish Funk this is an absolute must! Again thanks to GADFind albums on this label Records for finding this lost gem and bringing it back to life as part of the label´s modus operandi, which consistently preserves Polish musical heritage.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend