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QUIDAM

Neo-Prog • Poland


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Quidam picture
Quidam biography
Founded in 1991 as "Deep River", renamed in 1993 - Disbanded in 2014

If you're a prog fan looking for the cream of the nineties progressive releases then add Poland's QUIDAM to your list. Influenced by MARILLION and CAMEL, this band elegantly blends harmonies, refined arrangements and diversity of orchestrations (keyboards, cello, flute, oboe, strings).

The neo prog style guitar playing is interlaced with haunting flute, cello that evokes depth, female vocals and keyboards that give an orchestral fullness to the music. Their style is a melodic, text-based (female vocals) symphonic rock. The rhythms intensify, the symphonic keyboard textures thicken and the electric guitar plays long melancholic notes. QUIDAM is certainly the main and most appreciated act to have emerged from this field, with ABRAXAS and COLLAGE.

See also: WiKi

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QUIDAM discography


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QUIDAM top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.02 | 161 ratings
Quidam
1996
3.50 | 94 ratings
Sny Aniołów
1998
3.68 | 13 ratings
Angels' Dreams
1998
3.73 | 120 ratings
Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky
2002
3.13 | 81 ratings
SurREvival
2005
3.77 | 189 ratings
Alone Together
2007
2.75 | 61 ratings
Saiko
2012

QUIDAM Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.83 | 48 ratings
Live in Mexico '99
2000
3.79 | 23 ratings
Half Plugged
2006
4.19 | 23 ratings
The Fifth Season, Live in Concert
2009

QUIDAM Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

3.83 | 21 ratings
The Fifth Season - Live In Concert
2006
4.63 | 56 ratings
Strong Together
2010

QUIDAM Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 8 ratings
Quidam (10th Anniversary Edition)
2006
4.14 | 7 ratings
Pod Niebem Czas (Special Edition)
2009

QUIDAM Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

3.50 | 4 ratings
Angels Of Mine
1998

QUIDAM Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2002
3.73 | 120 ratings

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Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by Ligeia9@

4 stars The Polish prog band Quidam immortalized themselves in 1996 with their self-titled debut album, which certainly cannot be described as anything less than bombastic. Every neo-prog fan adores it, especially since vocalist Emila Derkowska delivers such a pleasant listening experience. Two years later, "Sny Aniolow" is released and its prog-pop nature weighs heavily on everyone. While there are a few nice passages to be found, most of the album's material can simply be described as uninspired. The contrast with their debut is significant and the anticipation for the next album is already testing nerves. It took four years for "The Time Beneath The Sky" to see the light of day in 2002, initially with Polish titles, but shortly after, Musea released the album worldwide with English titles. The relief was immense ? finally, a good album again. "The Time Beneath The Sky" features a beautiful blend of progressive rock, world music, folk, ambient, jazz, electronic and pop. It stands on its own and cannot really be compared to their debut. For me, it captivates even more, as there is so much to experience.

Quidam possesses an identity that surpasses the style in which they play. Besides Derkowska's enchanting vocals, it's the flute parts, almost constantly present in the sound, played by Jarcek Zasada and the lyrical guitar performances by Maciel Meller that accomplish this. Unfortunately, this legendary trio has come to an end, as Derkowska left the band just a few months after the release of "The Time Beneath The Sky" to pursue a career as a gospel singer. To make matters worse, bassist Radek Scholl and drummer Rafal Jermakow also departed not long after. Although Quidam has found stability with a new lineup, the melancholic layer over "The Time Beneath The Sky" is undeniable.

During the research I always do before writing a review, I discovered that the band, which disbanded in 2014, was revived in 2021 with Emila Derkowska back on vocals and the original flutist, Ewa Smarzynska. This is good news in itself, but it gets even better ? the three albums from the Derkowska era will all be reissued as Anniversary Editions, making them available again in 2022 after a long time. For now, I have written a review of the original album, but I will add an update later.

Now let's move on to the ten songs on the album and the feelings they evoke. Right from the start, you are captivated by Derkowska's impressive vocalizations and the intriguing flute. Zasada has a powerful staccato playing style that makes you almost see the air flowing through his instrument. Just looking at the song title, Letter From The Desert, says enough. It embodies the desolation of the desert, mysterious atmospheres in an Eastern setting filled with ambient sounds, delightful guitar riffs and a serene oboe. In the second part of the song, Still Waiting, a jazzy atmosphere prevails, beautifully sung. Once again, Derkowska demonstrates that Polish is a perfect language for singing, as Slavic languages always seem to be in my eyes. A beautiful flugelhorn solo brings warmth to this keyboard- dominated track and then comes No Quarter. Quidam presents a stunning interpretation of Led Zeppelin's original, complete with sizzling flute, captivating vocals and a gem of a guitar solo. Covers often have a bad reputation, but this one is too beautiful to be considered anything less. Quidam closes the first part of the album with the lightweight New Name and the folky Kozolec, only to unleash their full range of talents in a magnificent five-part suite.

The suite doesn't really sound like an epic, but rather a sequence of songs. Perhaps there is a textual connection, but I would need some lessons to say something sensible about that. However, I have a strong suspicion since the main title refers to the time here on Earth. Could it be about various existential questions? Luckily, I have a better understanding of music and I couldn't miss the amazing guitar solo towards Sylvan in Credo I. The instrumental second part also knocks on the door quite insistently, as the guitar and bass guitar riff is so infectious that the hearts of many Porcupine Tree fans will start hopping spontaneously. With You Are (In The Labyrinth Of Thoughts), the band takes a moment to relax. Accompanied by the sounds of an acoustic guitar, a nice pop song unfolds, preparing you for the splendid Quimpromptu. Meller showcases a fantastic guitar melody here. It feels like entering heaven. This closing melody comes across as a finale and that's how it seems to be intended. The true closer, (Everything Has Its Own) Time Beneath The Sky, has the allure of an epilogue. It's beautiful, even though all the fireworks have already been set off.

"The Time Beneath The Sky" frequently finds its place in my CD player. I always feel like listening to it and I can't recall a time when that wasn't the case. The neo-proggy music is a successful combination of taste and skill. It might be too light for some, but for me, the music is perfectly engaging.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com

 Quidam by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 1996
4.02 | 161 ratings

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Quidam
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by siLLy puPPy
Special Collaborator PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

4 stars One of the many neo-prog bands that sprang up in Poland in the 1990s, QUIDAM which started out as a simple blues rock band named Deep River when founded in 1991 in the city of Inowrocław and then transmogrified into a bonafide musical force by the time this self-titled debut was released in 1996. The core members of Maciej Meller (guitar), Radek Scholl (bass) and Rafał Jermakow (drums) got the whole show on the road but soon after would be joined by keyboardist Zbyszek Florek which would slowly but surely move QUIDAM closer into the world of IQ, Marillion and Arena rather than the more accessible rock sounds that dominated the 1970s.

It was the arrival of lead singer Emilia Derkowska in 1995 that really turned the band in a more melodic direction and with the addition of flautist Ewa Smarzyńska the stage was set for serious symphonic prog workouts. The band was a hot ticket on the live scene and won many awards at festivals in Poland which led to this eponymously titled debut which features nine tracks at a lengthy playing time of 65 minutes. The grand finale "Płonę" serves as the behemoth prog icing on the cake. Immediately after the release of the first QUIDAM album the band launched a successful tour which was especially popular in the Netherlands and earned the band more accolades in the world of neo-prog.

Reviews were also quite favorable for the band's mastery of complex symphonic elements that shrouded the beautiful female led vocal melodies and intricate changes in moods, dynamics and even tempos which led to very original sound that was clearly within the world of neo-prog but crafted a distinct Polish flavor. While most European neo-prog bands delivered their lyrics in English, QUIDAM defiantly crafted their songs in their native Polish which offered a unique stylistic approach given that linguistic rhythms shape musical accompaniments. The influences of both Pink Floyd and Camel are ubiquitous and are actually more in the forefront than other neo-prog bands as the guitar parts deliver a space rock approach and the synthesized atmospheres lead to the Camel playbook.

Despite the obvious influences though, QUIDAM's members were excellent songwriters and catchy pop hooks embedded in epic prog sophistication accompanied by Emilia Derkowska's enchanting vocals in the Polish language proved to be the winning formula. The opening track "Sanktuarium" with its heavy guitar riffs has proven to be the band's most recognized and beloved tracks of its entire career with its instantly addictive hooks and the sensual flute parts that grace the mid-section. The album remains strong for the first half of the album but then with the beginning of "Nocme Widziadla" the album falters with moments of cheesiness and on "Niespełnienie" in particular the Floydian influences are a bit too much.

The following "Wakocze" also sounds like a throwaway ballad however the combo effect of the all instrumental short track "Bijące Serca" and the closing prog behemoth "Płonę" recapture the momentum of save the entire second half from complete ruin. This was definitely a great beginning for one of Poland's most revered neo-prog bands but in the 90s artists were obsessed with filling every minute of available CD time which often led to a less than perfect album. QUIDAM's debut is the perfect example and could've used some serious editing in the middle section however even the lesser tracks are ok. It's just an uneven album in terms of quality. The early phenomenal tracks overshadow the tracks in between. A very promising debut that would lead to a few more albums before the band broke up in 2002 before reforming in 2004.

 Quidam by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 1996
4.02 | 161 ratings

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Quidam
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by TenYearsAfter

3 stars 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION ((CD 2021, 74:54, GAD CD 183))

The Polish Neo-prog formation Quidam (derived from a poem, means in Latin "somebody") was founded in 1991 as Deep River, renamed Quidam in 1993 and disbanded in 2014. In between Quidam released only 7 studio-albums, their eponymous debut album from 1996 is still considered as their best effort. In order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this debut album the band has produced a CD re-release in 2021. I have seen Quidam on several prog festivals: 1997 in Uden, 2006 in Paris and 2009 in De Boerderij, Each time Quidam was embraced by the crowd, showing a huge appreciation for their very pleasant and melodic Neo-prog sound. So "nostalgia rules", I am in the mood to listen to the reissue of this first and highly acclaimed debut album, it has been a while ago that Quidam was in my CD player, to be honest.

On this debut album Quidam is scouting the borders between Neo-prog, symphonic rock and folk (like in Bajkowy featuring cheerful tin-whistle), evoking Seventies and Eighties bands like early Genesis (especially the Steve Hackett guitar sound), Camel, Renaissance, Pink Floyd (The Great Gig In The Sky-like vocal eruption in Nocne Widziadla) and Marillion (Gleboka Rzeka and Plone). The focus in the very melodic and harmonic songs is on pleasant female vocals (between dreamy and powerful) in the native language, and the electric guitar, lots of moving soli with howling runs. The music is embellished with flute, hobo, piano and synthesizers, a pleasant variety.

My absolute highlight is the first track entitled Sanktuarium (close to 9 minutes). The bombastic intro contains a majestic church organ sound and howling guitar runs, wow, goose bumps! Then a mellow climate with dreamy female Polish vocals, blended with a hobo, gradually turning into a slow rhythm and an intense atmosphere with powerful emotional vocals. Back to mellow with volume pedal electric guitar, cello and flute. In the second part first a melancholy cello solo and then a long and moving guitar solo (strongly reminding me of Steve Hackett in early Genesis), topped with inspired female vocals. Wonderful!

As a bonustrack Quidam have added a 2021 version, it sounds a bit more lush and compelling, the intro features the distinctive Hammond organ, a strong conclusion.

My rating: 3,5

 Angels' Dreams by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 1998
3.68 | 13 ratings

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Angels' Dreams
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by Heart of the Matter

4 stars This is a somewhat simpler version of Quidam than the one found in their debut album, with rhythmic patterns sticking to basic backbeat and its variations, but retaining, maybe even increasing, their melodic charm and classical harmonic richness. The key aspect here, to my taste at least, is that the winged voice of Emila Derkowska grows lighter than ever, and always keep finding new paths for melody.

The overall sound and feel remind me of Clannad in, let's say, "Macalla", if one skips the celtic passages. The electric guitar of Maciek Meller throw in the mix some excellent, even unforgettable lead moments, like in "Cheerful". Did I mentioned Emila? Well, she'll amaze you more than once, listen "Little Bird With No Legs", and tell me not.

 Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2002
3.73 | 120 ratings

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Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars The Polish NeoProg artist's third album and last with vocalist Emila Derkowska and the rhythm section of bass player Radek Scholl and drummer Rafał Jermakow. Though I've been a fan of Quidam for some time now--since discovering their debut album around 2012--this is really my first exposure and repeat dive into this album.

1. "List Z Pustyni I / Letter from the Desert" (6:08) a great exposition of progified World Music, starting with the wonderfully hypnotic Arabian a cappella vocalise of Emila Derkowska. The music that follows is powerful, beautiful, excellent; prog perfection. (10/10) 2. "Ciągle Czekam (List Z Pustyni II) / Still Waiting (Letter from the Desert II)" (4:51) synth wash and muted snare open this before piano, bass and drum kit establish a gentle, spacious, and beautiful tapestry to support Emila's front and center vocals. Incredibly moving melodies coming from Emila's soothing voice. A pop ballad that is not very proggy until the Hackett-like sustained guitar note and soulful flugelhorn in the fourth minute, Simply beautiful. (9.5/10)

3. "No Quarter (Page - Plant)" (11:51) You read that correctly: a cover of the famous Led Zeppelin song! And introduced by flute and piano! They manage to do quite a nice job! Emila's voice is, of course, heavily effected (it has to be!). Embellished in the middle by a great guitar solo. You can tell how much the band love and revere this song, the performances are so impassioned and emotional. Not even the near-reggae section supporting the flute solo can spoil this for me. (23/25)

4. "Nowe Imi' / New Name" (4:56) A very simple, straightforward ballad with nary a prog lick in it even the guitar solo sounds like it could've come from Journey or Foreigner. (7.75/10)

5. "Kozolec (Dla AgaPe) / Kozolec (for AgaPe)" (5:05) prog folk with wooden flutes and weird drum sounds (very tight snare?) while Emila and Maciek show their skill for creating great melodies with their respective instruments. I love the stripped down, slowed down passage in the fourth minute with its nice keys and wonderful flute play. Almost in the land of Iona. (8.5/10)

- Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky: 6. "Credo I" (8:07) more IONA-like prog folk; these guys really know how to make prog the right way: with many influences and lots of creative, new ideas. Great guitar and vocal arrangements here, beautiful use of organ and gorgeous flute and guitar solos. (13.75/15) 7. "Credo II" (5:13) long sustained atmospheric Bar-do period (two minutes) before new motion and motif are formed. Instrumental (other than angel voices) with not much development--though the synth solo in the fourth minute is pretty awesome. (These guys know how to solo!) (8.5/10)

8. "Jestez (w Labiryncie Myzli) / You Are (In the Labyrinth of Thoughts)" (4:40) a weird man whistling while walking through a house bridges the previous piece to this. Strummed acoustic guitar with Emila angelic voice singing a beautiful, impassioned vocal in her native Polish. Flanged guitar chords and fretless bass are used to perfection. Remarkably, the chorus is even more beautiful--but the brief bridge that follows is a bit off-putting--but then they return to the chorus to finish. (9.25/10)

9. "Quimpromptu" (9:37) pacing themselves (never in a rush to develop--masterful use of space and time to create the perfect amount of tension) this song develops from bass, space synths, gentle drums, and "native" flutes into quite a gorgeous PINK FLOYD-like hypnotic piece. Great display of impassioned flute play throughout the middle and then a great guitar solo in the eighth minute--something David Gilmour or Roy Buchanan would, I think, be quite proud of. (18/20)

10. "(Wszystko Ma SwĒj) Pod Niebem Czas / (Everything Has Its Own) Time Beneath the Sky" (4:16) twangy lead guitar and strummed acoustic guitar set up the back drop for Emila to sing over. This one sounds light and airy--positive and uplifting. A little too radio poppy. (Perhaps this is the direction Emila was heading--the reason she left the band after this album.) (8/10)

Total time 64:44

Definitely my favorite Quidam album! One of the few near-perfect prog albums I've ever heard and definitely one of the best albums of the Naughties. A band of mature prog masters at the very top of their game. If it weren't for the weakness of the two "pop" songs this would be a veritable masterpiece.

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of masterful progressive rock music that should be in every prog lover's music collection. I want so badly to give this five stars but those two songs . . . .

 Saiko by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2012
2.75 | 61 ratings

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Saiko
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

2 stars 2.5 stars, really. It was quite a depressing experience listening to this album. Thatīs because I could not hear Saiko without recalling all the time how good a prog band they once were. A friend borrow me this CD and I decided to give it a shot. I heard it several times over the last few weeks and still it didnīt move me. Not that it is bad per se: in fact, if you like the alternative/pop style chances are youīll probably enjoy Saiko very much (if you donīt mind the fact that most of the material is sung in polish. Only the ballad Walec is in english, despite its title). Itīs all very nice and well performed and produced. And certainly they reversion to polish lyrics is a plus. And still itīs also miles away from what they could do when Emila Derkowska fronted the band. The prog elements are all gone, except for the flute interventions and bits and a few nice guitar parts, plus some fusion. Itīs hard to figure out what theyīre aiming at: The music here is a bit too complex and jazzy to the alternative/pop audience and the polish lyrics will not endear them to the american market.

All in all, a good alternative album, with no bad tunes to be found anywhere However, due to their glorious past, I found it hard not to be sorry for the great loss that was when they gave away their symphonic/folk prog sound. For a band that gave us such wonderful albums as Quidam and The Time Beneath The Sky, Saiko is really a let down. They should have changed their name along with the style and the line up.

 Alone Together by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.77 | 189 ratings

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Alone Together
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Polish NeoProgger's fifth studio album release and first without the full-time participation of lead singer Emila Derkowska (now Nazaruk).

1. "Different" (3:16) okay start, great end. (8.5/10)

2. "Kinds Of Solitude At Night" (6:00) great melodic hooks, solid, mature construct and palette. A great song--a top three for me. Nice to hear founding vocalist Emila Derkowska's beautiful voice again, if only in background support. (9.25/10)

3. "Depicting Colours Of Emotions" (10:18) nice mellow song with many instances reminiscent of fellow Polish proggers, Collage. A near-perfect song. (19/20)

4. "They Are There To Remind Us" (7:49) trying to go heavier, the sound is decent, it just does work for me. These musicians are too talented to have to murk things up with power chords and heavy distortion. It's good when the acoustic instruments are allowed to shine--and when the electric guitar is let loose. (12.5/15)

5. "Of Illusions" (8:04) fast-moving and extremely tight throughout, just not the most interesting song; nothing stands out or grabs me. (12.25/15)

6. "We Lost" (8:26) a song that feels based on some MARILLION-like traditional folk sounds, melodies, structures. Once the vocal starts I'm reminded of the first couple LUNATIC SOUL albums (which are yet to arrive on the Prog scene). Nice jazziness develops as it progresses--becomes especialy noticeable with the chorus. Great instrumental passage follows the first chorus--with awesome drum and lead guitar work--in the middle of which the band doubles the tempo. Wow! It's off to the races we go! How these guys can stay so tight! It's amazing! (17.5/20)

7. "One Day We Find" (6:46) solid music to support a rather straightforward vocal performance. The guitar, flute, and keyboard contributions in the instrumental section are stellar. The chorus does eventually get into your head. (12.5/15)

8. "We Are Alone Together..." (8:20) piano intro, quickly joined by Bartek singing sensitively. Very nice melodies and chords. Other instruments join in for the second verse, but they do not disturb, change, or disrupt, merely add dimension to the existing piano weave. Beautiful! Exquisite ambient textures--even from the drums! Atmospheric prog perfection. (19.5/20)

9. "... But Strong Together" (4:25) launching straight into a power drive, then turning to a Rasta rhythm and Hammond solo, the vocal section is dull, but the bridges and instrumental support passages are impressive. (I especially love the flute play.) Certainly an upbeat way to end an album. (8.25/10)

Total time 63:24

This is an album that, more than anything, showcases the virtuosity of these musicians--the seemless unity and cohesion they display in all collaborative performances of some not-so simple compositions. Kudos to these veterans: Masters of their craft(s). And band leader Bartek Kossowicz does a great job stepping into the BIG shoes voided by newlywed Emila Nazaruk.

B+/four stars; a solid prog album from some very seasoned veterans. Definitely an album that is worthy of addition to any prog lover's music collection.

 Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2002
3.73 | 120 ratings

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Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars The ultimate recognition for Quidam comes in 1999.The Polish group passes the Atlantic to perform among the headliners of the Baja Prog Festival, a live that was captured the same year on CD both by Rock Serwis and Musea.The links with Camel remained strong.Colin Bass invited Quidam to support him during the European promotional tour of ''An outcast of the islands''.Come 2000 and the band focused on writing and recording the third album with only sporadic live appearances.Third work becomes reality in March 2002, first comes the Polish title of ''Pod niebem czas'' on Rock Serwis and a few months later the same album was released on Musea as ''The time beneath the sky''.

With a mix of Polish and English vocal tracks, Quidam appear to somewhat abandon their 70's influences in order to propose a modern-sounding effort, closer to the likes of Neo Prog but retaining the evident Folk flavors of English groups such as IONA and MOSTLY AUTUMN.Symphonic arrangements become a minority and the focus here is on atmospheric soundscapes with sensitive guitar solos in the vein of PINK FLOYD and CAMEL, while the omnipresent flute parts have a now some discreet JETHRO TULL acoustics.Despite the clean production and the contemporary style, the vintage references come and go through the presence of organ and piano.On the other side, the more rhythmic guitar parts are more powerful and emphatic, showcasing a need by the band to rise a bit the volume, while the English tracks are well-worked but with less character than the Polish ones.Ambiental soundscapes start to become a trademark of the band, evolving slowly into heavier moves with guitars and orchestral synthesizers in evidence.The flute work of Jacek Zasada is among the album's highlights: Delicate, touching but also pretty hard-driving in some moments.Quidam had become a master of combining emotional and more energetic textures.

The presence of English lyrics somewhat lowers the value of this album compared to the previous releases, but the musicianship remains at a professional level and the creation of imaginery sounds has been established as the hot point of the band.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

 Saiko by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2012
2.75 | 61 ratings

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Saiko
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by ProgShine
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars QUIDAM, polish band that was first influenced by Neo Prog but during the course of their career changed album by album.

Saiko (2012) is their most recent work, released in April. Here they're back to the polish lyrics, a charm, I must say, I like bands that sing in their own languages, not only english.

According to the band they used on their 6th studio album the concept 'less is more'. Saying that you can easily note that they're not using any intrincated or complicated passage. They say that you need to listen the album several times before get the soft details in it.

Well, I tried very hard, 4 full listens before even try to write and a fifth while I'm writing. I just can't agree with the band. I can't see an album that shows more and more details as we listen it, we have an album that has not so many things to show, in fact, we have details here and there, but they're not enough to make you pay full attention on it.

Normally a different language may scare you, this is not the thing that bothers, Bartek Kossowicz is a great singer and he giver life to the polish lyrics. 'Haluświaty' starts the album and in a good way and it's true that the song has many small details (thanks to Jacek Zasada flutes), but in general, just a pop song, And the extra low bass tone from Mariusz Ziółkowski doesn't help much. '? lato' comes in the sequence and I start to think that the new producer Robert Szydło, is the responsible for the pop sound I'm listening, he's the producer of many polish pop bands.

The flutes in 'Obok Mam' tell us that something goo is about to begin, but in the end... we something that didn't work, a folk mixed with pop. 'Walec' the one in english is the best track so far. Heavy start, bit different and the Natalia Grosiak vocals makes this a nice track. If you'll do pop do it like on this song!

'sPotykanie' is like COLDPLAY and only now I realise that this isn't a Prog Rock album. When 'Wiosna' ends and so the album I asked myself what the band is really trying to do.

They don't know if they go towards pop or if they stay with their Prog heritage. All I know is that on Saiko (2012) QUIDAM didn't get any of them. We have some beauty moments here and there and if you don't mind listen a pop album (and you shouldn't anyway) it's ok. Now, if you're looking for some Prog Rock, go elsewhere, you'll not find it here.

 Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky by QUIDAM album cover Studio Album, 2002
3.73 | 120 ratings

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Pod Niebem Czas / The Time Beneath The Sky
Quidam Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Prog Reviewer / Special Collaborator

5 stars When this album was originally released, back in 2002, I was absolutely blown away and to this day it is still one of my favourite Polish albums. This reissue is a double disc set, with the original album and a DVD ? more of the latter in a minute. My lack of understanding of the Polish language in no way detracts from the album as a whole, as for me the vocals becomes another instrument. Emila Derkowska had a wonderfully clear voice and the whole band gels and shines together in a similar fashion to the way that Pink Floyd once did. With a flautist within the band (Jacek Zasada) it gave them the opportunity to move away from the (reasonably) standard five person prog set up, and they also used guests to fill out the sound even more (oboe, flugelhorn (!), mandolin, accordion).

This is a progressive album that really is, one that brings together different instruments and players in a way that makes it feel as if they belong together. There is a cover version on the album, a brilliant take on "No Quarter" that nearly breaks the twelve minute mark, and the second half of the album is taken up with a complex piece which when taken as a whole is thirty minutes long (although it can be subdivided into five songs). I still believe that this is the best of all of Quidam's albums, showing the majesty and grace that only a band at the height of their powers could achieve.

At the beginning of 2003 after Quidam had come back to Poland from shows in Belgium and Holland, they started preparations for a special show in the band's hometown, Inowroclaw. As it turned out later, this performance was the last one of the band's line-up of that time as singer Emilia Derkowska decided to quit the band. On 16th February 2003 Emilia bade farewell during the sold out show in Teatr Miejski in Inowroclaw. Soon afterwards, the rhythm section, Radek Sikorski and Rafal Jermakow also left and the band had to regroup. Luckily, that final show was captured by three digital non-professional cameras and this is the DVD. If you have never been fortunate enough to see this line-up of Quidam in concert (and most of us haven't) then this is the only opportunity we will have. Also, this was one of the times that Colin Bass (Camel) made a guest appearance with the band so it is definitely worth catching.

A great reissue of a great album, www.rockserwis.pl

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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