Record Reviews

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

MATEUSZ SWIECICKI ~ HALO WENUS GAD 053 (Barcode: 5901549197693) ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 1974 Released: 2017 This is an archival album presenting early Polish electronic / ambient music composed and performed by keyboardist / composer Mateusz SwiecickiFind albums by this artist and his group, which also included organist Ryszard SiwyFind albums by this artist, bassist Krzysztof PotockiFind albums by this artist and drummer Ryszard SzumliczFind albums by this artist, which was originally commissioned by the Polish Documentary Film Studio. The album also includes two bonus tracks recorded for Polish Radio more or less at the same period. This is one of the earliest Polish recordings featuring synthesizers, especially the new at the time Arp Odyssey, which is the main instrument featured herein. It is completely innovative in every respect and sounds remarkably contemporary over forty years later. It incorporated elements of Psychedelia, Jazz and Progressive Rock within the framework of was considered as library music recorded for future cinematic use. In retrospect this is a hidden gem of early Polish experimental music, which now comes back to life thanks to the continuous effort by the GAD Records label to dig out such treasures and make them available to music lovers of all kinds. This album is a must to fans of synthesizer based music, being quite unique and Avant-Garde in what it represents, putting light on a completely obscure chapter of Polish music from the 1970s.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 13/04/2017

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend