Record Reviews

BREAKOUT ~ 70A MUZA 989 (Barcode: 5907783499890) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005 2nd album by brilliant Polish ensemble BreakoutFind albums by this artist formed and led by guitarist / vocalist / composer Tadeusz NalepaFind albums by this artist. Breakout was formed in 1968 after Nalepa decided to change the name of his previous group BlackoutFind albums by this artist and reformed it under the new name. The group was fronted by vocalist Mira KubasinskaFind albums by this artist, one of the first great female performers of the Polish Rock scene, and also included bassist / pianist Józef SkrzekFind albums by this artist (future member of NiemenFind albums by this artist´s groups and later SBBFind albums by this artist) and drummer Józef HajdaszFind albums by this artist. The fifth member of Breakout was the great Polish saxophonist / flautist Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, the first Polish Jazz musician, who combined the Jazz and Rock genres and of course was an early pioneer of Jazz-Rock Fusion. Nalepa´s musical background was deeply rooted in Blues, and much of the group´s material was in fact Blues-Rock based, but the presence of Nahorny and the contemporary Prog and Psychedelic influences turned Breakout into one of the most formidable East European groups ever, with a broad range of cross-genre musical activities. Breakout had an immense influence on the Polish, as well as the entire East European music scene, serving as a beacon to generations of musicians living behind the Iron Curtain. In their native country Breakout was often criticized by the Socialist regime for idealizing Western culture and their music was banned from the media during the peak of the "dark age" repressions in the late 1960, which eventually only increased the following the group enjoyed among the young generation. Nalepa, who composed all of the group´s music, worked closely with lyricist / poet Bogdan LoeblFind albums by this artist, who supplied the band with highly intelligent and often controversial lyrics, way above the usual level of Rock lyrics used in Rock at the time. This album is a timeless classic and any connoisseur of East European Rock / Prog will find it phenomenal. Brilliant stuff!

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DONOVAN ~ 7-TEASE REPERTOIRE 2315 (Barcode: 4009910231524) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1974 Released: 2004 This is a reissue / remaster of the twelfth studio album by the legendary British bard / singer / songwriter DonovanFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1974 with studio musicians, including brass and string sections. The original album presents twelve original songs by Donovan. This reissue adds four bonus tracks: two single versions of songs on the album and two session outtakes. This album was one of the last albums (only two would follow) recorded in the 1970s, which would be followed by gradual seclusion and absence from the scene, until the early 2000s, when new material was recorded and released. The album’s subject matter is reflective / retrospective and summarizes the incredible decade that preceded the time this album was released. Although the Psychedelic 1960s were still almost in the air, Donovan, like many other Artists, was disillusioned by the failure of the hope to “change the world”, which his (and my) generation had felt during that short-lived era. Musically, the album is full of the absolutely beautiful tunes, no one but Donovan could weave, and his mellow / yellow voice is still absolutely unique, something to long for. Strangely enough, several of these songs have a strong Jazzy (well, traditional Jazz) arrangements. Overall, this is a classic Pop / Rock album, which lost absolutely nothing of its charm and beauty over time. The heartbreaking naiveté, which kept us floating in the air even without getting “stoned”, is still alive and kicking, with bittersweet memories pushing the ticker to beat faster while the music plays. A superb trip down the memory lane!

Updated: 14/04/2023Posted: 14/04/2023

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ 70TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT (COLLECTORS` EDITION) EAGLE VISION 022 (Barcode: 5034504902299) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This superb DVD documents the special 70th Birthday concert organized as a tribute to one of UK greatest and most important musicians - bandleader and champion of the Blues – John MayallFind albums by this artist. Mayall was a pivotal figure, which shaped the British musical scene since the mid-1960s and was crucial as a precursor of Blues, Blues-Rock, Rock and even Jazz-Rock. Over the years Mayall’s band included the creme de la creme of British players, who later became the heroes and spawned countless famous bands. The list is just too long to be included here, but every music lover surely knows them all. The most sensational event of the concert was the one-time reunion of the BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist lineup, which included Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and recorded one of the most influential Blues albums of all times. Another guitar hero – Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist – also joins Mayall on the stage, and the list of legends goes on and on. These are well over two hours of some of the best Blues music one can imagine and I can’t even think of a Blues fan anywhere in the world not having this in their collection. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and DTS, 137 minutes.

CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend

PIP PYLE ~ 7 YEAR ITCH VOICEPRINT 198 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Pip PyleFind albums by this artist is of course the drumming pillar of the Canterbury Prog scene and past member of such legendary outfits as CaravanFind albums by this artist, GongFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist a.m.o. As the title suggests, this album took 7 years to fruition, but it was definitely worth waiting for. With a stellar lineup of Canterbury musicians one expects nothing less.

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