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

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