Record Reviews

BUDKA SUFLERA ~ 1974-1984 MUZA 1530 (Barcode: 5907783425301) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1974 - 1984 Released: 2013 This album by the legendary Polish group Budka SufleraFind albums by this artist is not exactly a straight-forward review of their first decade of activity, as suggested by its title. It does compile nine songs recorded originally during that decade, but only two of these songs are presented in their original form and the others were re-recorded especially for this release, and therefore this album is considered as a separate entity in their discography, being substantially different from a straight-forward compilation. The group started their career in 1974 with their re-make of the great Bill WithersFind albums by this artist hit "Ain´t No Sunshine" translated into Polish but later on created their own original material, mostly composed by the keyboardist / bassist Romuald LipkoFind albums by this artist. The group kept going continuously over the years and is currently the oldest Polish Rock group still active on the scene. The group´s personnel changed many times over the years but the original members, in addition to Lipko, were vocalist Krzysztof CugowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andrzej ZiolkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz ZeliszewskiFind albums by this artist. During their first decade Budka Suflera maintained a balance between melodic Rock and Progressive Rock. These re-recorded versions have a more up to date (as of then) 1980s sound than the original recordings, but remain faithful stylistically to the originals. Overall they present a remarkable group of talented and ambitious musicians, who definitely had their original way of doing things. In retrospect all these songs remain as examples of perfectly crafted Rock, which easily withstands a comparison with similar material recorded at the time on the west side of the Iron Curtain. Definitely a part of Polish Rock history and an album still very much worth listening to today. Side Note: This reissue is part of the "Cult Vinyls" series by Polskie NagraniaFind albums on this label / MuzaFind albums on this label. In 2005 the group released a 20 CDs Box Set with all their albums, but this album was not a part of that reissue and therefore is a most welcome addition to the group´s recorded legacy now available on CD.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BILL WITHERS ~ THE COMPLETE SUSSEX AND COLUMBIA ALBUMS SONY 886978946720 (Barcode: 886978946720) ~ USA ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1971 - 1985 Released: 2012 Although sadly almost forgotten today, American singer / songwriter Bill WithersFind albums by this artist was one of the great heroes of the Soul scene throughout the 1970s. His illustrious, but relatively short career included many successful chart hits and Grammy Awards (both nominations and winnings), ending with him slowly disappearing from the limelight, for reasons not completely clear, especially since his enormous talent remains obviously unexhausted. Withers recorded four albums for the SussexFind albums on this label label (including the live recording of his Carnegie Hall concert) and another four albums for ColumbiaFind albums on this label, all during the 1970s. Then, after an almost six years break his last album was recorded in 1985, also for Columbia. All these nine albums are included in this Box Set. Withers was an absolutely unique voice of his generation and in many respects he was more important than most of his contemporaries. He managed to compose sublime melodies and write intelligent, meaningful and touching lyrics and then perform them masterfully, like almost no other Soul artist of his generation. Deeply rooted in Blues and Gospel, his particular brand of Soul, mixed with early Funk, was absolutely marvelous and way ahead of its time. He recorded with excellent musicians, like keyboardist Booker T. JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist, who played on his debut album and later with members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm BandFind albums by this artist: keyboardist Ray JacksonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Benorce BlackmonFind albums by this artist, bassist Melvin DunlapFind albums by this artist and drummer James GadsonFind albums by this artist, who played on the remaining Sussex albums. Following his move to Columbia, he was accompanied by many of the great Funk and Jazz musicians on the label´s roster. The music and the subject matter of Withers´ songs lost absolutely nothing of their value and meaning over time. Struggle with loss, addiction, social injustice, pains of heart and other deeply personal subjects, which Withers manages to capture precisely and in a few words, are closer to poetry than simple songs´ lyrics and combined with the sublime melodies are true masterpieces of songwriting. Considering the fact that songs of such quality are rarely created today, these gems become even more precious. Remastered and mini-sleeved, this Box Set is an excellent tribute to a great Afro-American troubadour, who should not be forgotten and who still has so much to offer today. This is an exceptional addition to any serious music collection.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend