SBB

This amazing polish band SBB's record Pamiec from 1976 is now shortly reviewed by me after my first listening. One week ago I tried ten polish band and I was surprised how good they were. This is SBBs second studio album and like Yes Close to the Edge there is just three songs, but these three songs are very good. Like some other great bands the musicians on this disc are just three.

The band members here is Jozef Skrzek on bass, piano, organ, synthesisers and vocal, Antymos Apostolis on guitar and Jerzy Piotrowski on percussion. Directly when I put on this record I fell in love with it. I think I prefer the A-side. Here we have "W kolysce dloni twych" a marvelous piece that welcomes us with wide painting actions from everybody for example the singer with the extraordinary pleasant voice. I like when they warble in a cosmic way on this song and on the last one. Polish seams to be a wonderful language, unfortunately I don't understand it. These musicians are so skillfull that they don't need to do so much to please their audience. The driving seventies-guitar or the unusually present drums do a lot for the unity. "Pamiec w kamien wrasta" is the last track and a very long one. It takes a long time for the song to really begin. I don't know why, I am not use to jazz but this rather jazzy record has caught me. The feeling I got when I listened to this was that it is high music, professional music and I am very pleased of that. I'll gladly spread the name SBB over the world beacuse it's really worth listen to. I look forward to review more SBB records.

Noodles, you say?

Sometimes you fail to fathom the genius of certain bands. Yet they possess an allure, making you crazy with want of understanding and if you do endure, maybe you will succeed in breaking the code and findig the treasures within. For me SBB is one such band.

"Wołanie o brzęk szkła" consists of two long tracks, both hitting the 20 minute mark. First off, that is quite enough to make me interested in the music. Then there's the cover, which captivates me in a big way. And then there's the music. For the most part I have failed when it comes to SBB, just like I failed to understand Hawkwind at first. When I listened to this album I found myself enjoying it very much. There is a great symphonic, fusion like feeling to the music, soldiering on in an evershifting, yet sublime way. You could argue that the music is noodling, somewhat, but I find that to be untrue after listening to the album.

SBB manages to create an album of shifting moods and sounds within an atmotsperic framework, ranging from hard rock to fusion and symphonic delights, even incorporating a bluesy harmonica solo which only adds to their legacy and origins. (SBB standing, of course, for Silesian Blues Band.) All of this without losing perspective, aim or purpose.

In short, "Wołanie o brzęk szkła" is a truly enjoyable album of variation and charm. There are a lot of keyboards (which I love), a little vocals (also very enjoyable) and a musicianship of the highest quality. Now, not yet being a true SBB-fan I can recommend "Wołanie o brzęk szkła" as a starting point, if you like me want to grasp the intricate geniuses of the band. There are (maybe) other high or even higher points in their career but for now this is SBB at their prime. If I change my mind I'll let you know.

Bonus - or not?

I am very heartened to observe renewed interest in this excellent band. This prompts me to delay my breakfast and listen to another album I cherished for decades. Or more like to check out the bonus tracks on the CD release.

The original album consisting of two long pieces which are very much in line with their better works of the time. Exploring different musical territories within one tune is a trademark of the band and the end result is generally very pleasing, indeed.

Typically, the band are prone to some indulgences of not maintaining endless fireworks, but to give way to a bit of a lull here and there, too. This I see as much permissible to their artistic freedom as serving a purpose of abridging different movements within the compositions Hey, even a boogie bit on harmonica is thrown in for good measure. (The first track I've ever herd from SBB was in '73, or '74 on Polish Radio. A short, but spirited boogie track that nevertheless caught my attention. The rest is history.)

The bonus four tunes on the CD (38 extra minutes) alternate between excellent and forgettable, often within the same tune. The first. short one fails to impress, but followed by another short piece that's a lot more lively. Bouncy, almost funky with a great Moog solo.

The 17 mins long third piece is in a completely different territory. Gentle synthesizers lay an entrance to a soprano sax (yes, sax in SBB!) that does very little to me - until the pace picks up in the second half. Apostolis lets loose there on guitar, evoking memories of John McLaughlin and the rest of the piece is a pure joy culminating in a pleasant winding down.

Fourth bonus track (15 mins) starts with a lone soprano sax, but eventually, half-way through it develops into a spirited and excellent medley of some familiar notes where the sax has finally found it's rightful place. Indeed, that part is reminiscent of SOFT MACHINE's better moments, Ah, blessed relief!

My conclusion is that I really need to get some editing software one day and reduce these 78 mins to about 50 of delightful moments. But on the strength of 50 minutes of pleasure, this CD release still qualifies to 5 stars. Get it while you can!

Another great musical momento of this amazing Polish band. This album begins and ends with a classical music moment and the developement of rock music is amazing. Great keiboards moments and amazing guitar solos. A calm part with a classical guitar moment very beautifull but others have some Psichedelic Space Rock and Symphonic Rock parts. This album from 1980 have a soud of seventies and a music conception abolutely brilliant. Please listen carefull this album, put out the light and close your eyes and immerse yourself in this masterpiece by separating the sounds of the various instruments and in the end, you will realize why this album is really a masterpiece. Lyrics are in Polish but, what really matters is the amazing music performance and conception.Great album from a great band made East Europe. 5 stars of course.

One of a kind!

For the novice, this band from Poland have established a genre that's near impossible to put in a box. Undoubtedly, they are Prog with a vengeance, refusing to compromise. Rock, Symphonic, Eclectic, Jazz-Rock? Yes, they are all of that in one very pleasing package.

This album from 1977 contains just about all of the elements they've represented back then - and in perfect harmony.

Epic work it may not be, but over two long tunes we hear great grooves, riffs emotive vocals, soaring Mini-Moog and innovative lead guitars.

To sum it up, it's like a CV on behalf of the band. Perhaps not their very best, but a great introduction to their combined talents where the different ideas blend in perfectly within extended pieces. The album comes across as a mix of the previous "Novy Horyzont" and "Pamiec". Groovy bits and decent vocal melodies combined.

The - another very long - bonus track on the CD release comes across as a pleasant noodling at the studio where someone has failed to turn the recording off. And thank God for that! Here, the band is just having fun for even most of their studio albums are just one take, with little- if any - overdubs. They are that good.

Just how do you describe Indian ragas on acoustic guitar accompanied by a Moog solo before the piece turns into a bombastic Symphonic offering followed by rather mediocre vocals that end with a groovy riff? Well, I can't but I am left in a state of joyful amazement.

This package is just a tiny bit short of a 5, but that's only in comparison with the band's even better works at other times.

A mixed bag of goodies.

The first part of this DVD is a theatrical work, modern ballet performed live where the dancers interact with Skrzek on keyboards (who also plays live). May be interesting for some, but I am not into theatrics. The rest of the band barely adds a bit of color only. Some fast forwarding later I go back to start and with the screen turned off I listen to the music, only.

Focusing on the music without the visual "interference" I find the experience more satisfying. The score is loosely based on the album "Follow My Dream". SBB is not known for performing the same tracks in an identical manner and here it's closer to a pleasant soundtrack interpretation than to a concert performance. The sound recording is excellent.

The Extras represent much historical value via live footage from various performances. There is not much sign of SBB's legendary instrumental "fireworks" of keyboard - guitar duels and the songs are more of a laid back nature. Still, pretty good. but honestly, having seen the band live on many occasions, these tunes are not the ones that made me a fan of the band.

A rare appearance of Slawomir Piwowar on the double-neck guitar is a pleasant surprise. He is one of Poland's most excellent musicians, sadly with little International recognition and rather scarce recorded material. Unlike Piwowar, the contribution of the other guest on vocals and guitars doesn't really befit the general image of the band. (I have no idea who he may be.) Considering the years of these recordings, the sound quality is hardly sensational.

We also get to watch part of a movie and some interviews (in Polish) as well as some animation. To the credit of Metal Mind (the record company), this is a varied and lengthy package with considerable value overall. My enjoyment is around 3.5 but for the effort alone I will round it up to 4.

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While mixing diverse styles together during several decades meanwhile they are known for an eclectic interpretation of what prog music should sound like. Shrinked to the core Józef Skrzek and Apostolis Anthimos in 2012 they appear with a new album, simply entitled 'SBB' - as if they are intending to offer a personal retrospective ... and/or even want to start a new attempt, probably manifested by the cover picture. At any rate it demonstrates that drummer Gabor Nemeth is missing now and here, Anthimos himself takes on his task, doing quite well by the way.

As for the music as such they principally remain faithful to their approach - the 16 songs seamlessly blend into each other, mostly represent fusion/jazz rock stuff, although alternating with some meditative ambient/spaced out blockbusters. Sparkling rhodes piano, melancholic synths and Skrzek's clear voice open for Piwnica - so their SBB tour will start in a cellar. A tune which wonderfully meanders through time and space - on top of that the relaxed drumming and a spacey guitar - this altogether serves a nice ambient kick-off.

The following song couple Niemen and 74 is dedicated to Czeslaw Niemen obviously who unfortunately passed away in 2004. Both collaborated with him in the 1970s on four albums until 1974, when SBB was formed. The drumming turns straighter into a fusion rock direction featuring dramatic organ. Meditative parts are to detect like on Nowy Wiek or Urodziny w Roskilde - certainly referencing the Roskilde festivals where they've played in the 1970s. And then they celebrate the blues on Ameryka and Lot nad Chicago.

Finally the atmospheric Requiem resembles some spacey attitude again, an extraordinary exemplar - melancholy pure. Mass for the dead - an indication of the band's quit? Or simply for a cut in order to open up their horizons? Who knows. The song titles are pointing to something retrospective at least. I can't get rid of the impression that this album is the result of a special introverted passion, like recorded for themselves predominantly. Showcasing 16 songs in total this is a nice album overall, professionally worked out for sure. Something so-so anyhow - some tunes are able to knock my socks off, others seem to be rather unsubstantial though music-wise.

Firstly, it pays to note that this is an EP of five tunes, released as bonus material on SBB's 22 Disc Anthology, few of you would ever hear. So, why do I bother with a review then? Simply, because I don't expect many others to do it and that I have a soft spot for their works in general, something I've been familiar with for decades.

Breaking with my habit of writing in general terms, here I'll touch on each tune - especially that there are only five in this release.

The title track "Golden Harp" struck me as a surprise as this is not really typical of the band. It's closer to an average Pop ballad, predictable, average piano plonk-plonk, but something that could grow on one over repeated listening on your local AM Station. Some tasteful guitar fills relieve the boredom, but frankly, not enough to make this piece memorable.

"Bar Wah-Wah" is a really groovy, guitar driven, instrumental Rock piece. Tight and compact - another uncharacteristic approach by the band. Pretty good - I'd say. Indeed it's excellent in Prog terms, too!

"Least it's sunny" starts with harmonica, reminiscent of SBB's earlier live performances where they'd often do a Boogie piece just for fun. Here, it doesn't come off that well and the tune soon mutates into mediocre Funk. Not really bad, but wouldn't be missed.

"Strawberry Jam" is a short piece that doesn't get much beyond than a soundscape and as such - filler material. A bit of fooling around on the guitar whilst the rest are not quite asleep at the rehearsal.

"Golden Harp - Instrumental" is the closing track. Without the vocals it's less Poppy and more reminiscent of the lesser works of FOCUS.

If you know and like SBB, you'll find this EP somewhat amusing and of some interest. If you don't, it's not a good place to start with exploring the band.

I am very tempted to rate it as a 2, but "Bar Wah-Wah" alone lifts it closer to 3 stars. (That tune should have been released on one of their main albums.)

Altogether it's good, but essential it isn't. Not by SBB standards.

The title may suggest a retrospective, a documentary of sorts. The reality is that these are more recent performances where early material along with new tunes are on offer.

The band - as always - plays in many different styles, ranging from Symphonic, Jazz-Rock, Lyrical and even the odd Boogie! This however doesn't indicate a lack of direction, but on the contrary. Showcasing their versatile abilities, one is often treated to a surprise just around the corner.

They rose into prominence in the early '70s as a mainly improvising trio. By now that youthful enthusiasm had subsided somewhat, giving way to more laid back and at some point more structured pieces.

Skrzek's vocals (I previously enjoyed in small doses only) have become stronger and more confident by now. After many years, he still sings from the heart - if only better. His more up-to-date keyboards permit a greater sonic range whilst his trusted, old bass is also put to good use - extending to the odd solo using the distortion pedal!

By now, Skrzek has become the leader of the band with Apostolis generally taking a back seat, providing color on the guitar and the odd solo in his unique and unimitable style. In recent years he also started to play the drums and keyboards, something is more of a novelty than a challenge to the rest. Still, nice to see that he is expanding his horizons and refusing to grow old and stale.

Since their original drummer, Jerzy Piotrowski left, SBB hasn't been able to find a replacement who could become an integral part of the band. Paul Wertico (of Pat Metheny Group) played with them for years, Brilliant drummer, but the reality is that he only lasted a few years with the band.

Enter Gabor Nemeth, a well-seasoned veteran of the Hungarian Rock scene. His drumming is tight, precise to the point of extreme skill and techniques. He could play practically anything and everything on the skins, but his presence is more of a session player, a hired hand, than a devotee of SBB's music.

Still, the performance is great and typical of the band, where even well known old tracks are completely reworked almost beyond recognition. Amazingly, this trio format can create a commendable wall of sound, even when only the keyboards and two(!) drums are in use. But that is SBB for you!

A gripe. The multiple camera work is pretty good, but the actual editing is rather irritating. The view nervously jumping from one musician to another and often focusing on the less prominent contributions in a piece. Even then, leaving little opportunity to observe before jumping on again. Still, it's not the band's fault and I won't hold it against them.

If you want to see vintage performances from the '70s, you may find some on YouTube. In the meantime, these two concerts (with different support musicians in 2006) will give you a good idea of the works of Skrzek and Apostolis.

Most SBB live performances contain similar material performed over and over again. This is however, rather a plus because of the interpretation is always different, containing much freshness due to artistic freedom rightfully demonstrated. There are instances when the original tune is barely recognizable. In other words, just about any live album is worth checking out, containing many surprises. This one is no different.

I was present at these concerts and the material released here is only a fragment of what was actually performed there. I may add, perhaps the bits that captivated me the most are missing. Nevertheless it's still worthy of attention.

Sure, it's not an easy task of reproducing the visual aspects on a CD. The true mastery of Skrzek attending to the frets on his bass with one hand whilst playing a soaring solo on the Mini Moog with the other. Chances are, the tape may have run out as these guys are prone to playing very long sets.

Anyway, what's on offer here is still excellent and only in comparison with "Karlstad" and other 5 star releases I feel compelled to downgrade the material presented here.