Record Reviews

MECH ~ TASMANIA GAD 112 (Barcode: 5903068120541) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1982 - 1984 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the second (and last) album by the first incarnation of Polish Rock group MechFind albums by this artist, which comprised of keyboardist / vocalist Robert MilewskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Robert MillordFind albums by this artist), guitarist Janusz LakomiecFind albums by this artist, bassist Maciej JanuszkoFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej DylewskiFind albums by this artist. The album presented eight original songs, written by the group members. This new edition includes a bonus track recorded later with another lineup of the band and five new mixes of the original tracks. During its initial period the group played ambitious Symphonic Progressive Rock, which sadly did not produce a studio album. Live and radio recordings from that period can be heard on the archive album "Zjednoczone Sily Natury MechFind albums with this title" released by GAD Records in 2016. The two albums, released almost at the same time by the end of 1983, present the group playing ambitious quality Rock music, which features lyrics in Polish language and reflects the local Rock scene at the early 1980s, obviously influenced by what was being created around Europe at the time, but maintaining a unique approach. Despite the group´s popularity as a live act both in Poland and other Eastern European countries, the group folded a few years later, only to be resurrected by 2004 as a Heavy / Hard Metal band functioning to this very date, albeit with a different lineup, which so far released two albums. The music sounds remarkably fresh despite the fact that it was recorded almost four decades ago. The basic classic Rock lineup of keyboards / guitar / bass / drums works out perfectly and the dreaded 1980s synthesizer sound is kept here to the minimum, which makes this music pleasantly listenable today. There is a strong PoliceFind albums by this artist influence present over this music, which is hardly surprising considering their popularity and impact at the time, but luckily Mech did not try to copy what Police were doing, but merely allowed to be artistically influenced. The new mixes are a great example how much music can be influenced by the process of mixing, and the new versions sound much more contemporary and impressive. It was definitely a nice idea in this case. Overall this is a great opportunity to revisit this music, which does not deserve to be forgotten. As usual GAD Records make sure the legacy of Polish recorded music gets properly preserved. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 18/02/2020Posted: 18/02/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SAMECH ~ QUACHATTA TZADIK 8169 (Barcode: 702397816928) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is a debut album by the Polish Jazz-World Fusion quartet SamechFind albums by this artist, which consists basically of a string trio: Anna OstachowskaFind albums by this artist who plays voila, Magdalena PlutaFind albums by this artist who plays cello and Marek LewandowskiFind albums by this artist, who plays double bass with percussionist Robert SztorcFind albums by this artist (who in his distant past was a member of the Prog outfit T.A.O.Find albums by this artist). The quartet plays acoustic music, which to some extent is based on Jewish and Klezmer music elements, but takes the music much further into Medieval European music, Turkish swirling rhythms, Sephardic, rather than Ashkenazi musical tradition and the Iberian Peninsula Moorish heritage. The album consists of ten wonderful pieces, seven of which are written by Ostachowska or co-written / co-arranged with Agata KrauzFind albums by this artist, one is by Krauz herself, one is co-written by Pluta and Lewandowski and the remaining one is by the DavkaFind albums by this artist ensemble (another great Jewish Music ensemble, from US, which also records for the TzadikFind albums on this label label). The incredible sound of the viola and cello combined with the bass pulsations and mostly Oriental percussion is simply stunning and completely unique, which immediately places Samech in a class of its own. The performances are all very exciting and manage to keep the listener on his toes through the entire duration of the album. The overall sound is well balanced with all four instruments clearly audible, which is such a relief opposite the much cluttered sound one comes across so often in contemporary recordings. This is a perfect example of innovation rather than imitation, which of course is highly commendable. The album should delight many quite diverse audiences, as it speaks to World Music, Classical and Jazz connoisseurs alike and is of course highly recommended. Hopefully the ensemble will follow the superb debut effort with additional future achievements. Well done indeed!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ZJEDNOCZONE SILY NATURY MECH ~ ZJEDNOCZONE SILY NATURY MECH GAD 040 (Barcode: 5901549197518) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 - 1980 Released: 2016 This is a collection of archival radio and live recordings by Polish Rock group Zjednoczone Sily Natury MechFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. MechFind albums by this artist), which covers the early period of the group´s activity, when it played mostly solid Progressive Rock. Since almost all of these recordings were previously unreleased, except for two songs which appeared on the group´s debut single, this album uncovers an important historical period of the Polish Prog-Rock history. The lineup that recorded the music presented on this album includes keyboardist / vocalist Robert MillordFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Robert MilewskiFind albums by this artist), guitarists Maciej JanuszkoFind albums by this artist and Janusz LakomiecFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej NowickiFind albums by this artist and drummer Janusz DomanskiFind albums by this artist. All the seven compositions appearing on this album were composed by the group´s members and their magnum opus "Atlantis Suite" appears twice in two different versions. Following some personnel changes the group switched to Hard Rock and recorded two albums in 1983 before disbanding in 1987, only to be reactivated in 2004, and exists to this very day. The music is a classic example of Symphonic Prog-Rock, not very innovative considering it was recorded quite late on the Prog´s time scale, but nevertheless excellently composed and executed. The Polish vocals make it of course more unique, especially in view of the pure English accent attempts by other East European Rock groups. Instrumentally the keyboards and guitars work is excellent and the rhythm section kicks ass, which means that Prog fans, especially those interested in the East European variety of the idiom, should have a field day with this splendid album. As usual, kudos to GADFind albums on this label Records for unearthing this forgotten material and bringing it back to life. This tiny family owned label emerges as a Giant as far as reissues of highly interesting treasures of Polish music of all genres are concerned. This is another gem in their splendid collection. In short a must to all East European Prog buffs!

Updated: 04/05/2016Posted: 04/05/2016

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend