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BUDKA SUFLERA

Eclectic Prog • Poland


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Budka Suflera biography
Budka Suflera (Prompt Box) officially formed in 1974 in Lublin, Poland, though their history dates back to 1969. From 1971 to 1974 band was playing at the Juliusz Osterwa Theatre in Lublin, where probably their name came from. The first line-up consisted of Krzysztof Cugowski (vocals), Romuald Lipko (piano, keyboards, bass guitar), Andrzej Ziółkowski (guitar), Tomasz Zeliszewski (percussion). This line-up lasted from 1974 to 1977, when they released two progressive albums:

1975 - Cień wielkiej góry (Shadow of a Big Mountain)
1976 - Przechodniem byłem między wami... (I've Been a Passerby Among You)

In 1977 vocalist Krzysztof Cugowski left the band to start solo career. In 1980 Budka Suflera with new vocalist Romuald Czystaw released the album ''Ona przyszła prosto z chmur'' (''She Came from the Clouds'') - the last album with some progressive elements, though clearly going towards pop. Through the years, the music of Budka Suflera has been changing, from Progressive Rock, through New Wave, Hard Rock and eventully to Pop Rock.

Krzysztof Cugowski returned to the band in 1984, and stayed for good. The current (2010) line-up consists of Krzysztof Cugowski (vocal), Romuald Lipko (keyboards), Tomasz Zeliszewski (percussion), Łukasz Pilch (guitar), Mirosław Stępień (bass guitar), Piotr Kominek (keyboards).


Biography written by Wiktor Hatif

source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budka_Suflera

BUDKA SUFLERA Videos (YouTube and more)


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BUDKA SUFLERA discography


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

3.85 | 71 ratings
Cien wielkiej góry
1975
3.69 | 48 ratings
Przechodniem bylem miedzy wami...
1976
1.94 | 18 ratings
Na brzegu światła
1979
3.29 | 28 ratings
Ona przyszła prosto z chmur
1980
2.87 | 31 ratings
Za ostatni grosz
1982
3.57 | 21 ratings
Czas czekania, czas olśnienia
1984
3.18 | 17 ratings
Giganci tańczą
1986
2.50 | 14 ratings
Ratujmy co się da!!
1988
2.83 | 18 ratings
Cisza
1993
2.58 | 12 ratings
Noc
1995
2.14 | 23 ratings
Nic nie boli, tak jak życie
1997
1.79 | 19 ratings
Bal wszystkich świętych
2000
1.60 | 10 ratings
Mokre oczy
2002
1.33 | 9 ratings
Jest
2004
1.13 | 8 ratings
Zawsze czegoś brak
2009
3.25 | 4 ratings
Skaza
2023

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

2.50 | 8 ratings
Akustycznie
1998
2.67 | 6 ratings
Live at Carnegie Hall
2000

BUDKA SUFLERA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

3.50 | 2 ratings
Akustycznie
1998
4.25 | 4 ratings
25 Lat - Koncert Spodek 1999
1999

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

4.44 | 9 ratings
1974-1984
1984

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

BUDKA SUFLERA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

BUY
Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

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

4 stars One of the most successful bands in Polish history, BUDKA SUFLERA ( means Prompter's Box in Polish ) started in 1969 in the eastern city of Lublin formed as a cover band that played Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall and Led Zeppelin. The original lineup was Krzysztof Cugowski (vocals), Krzysztof Brozi (lead guitar), Janusz Pędzisz (bass guitar) and Jacek Grün (drums) but soon changed its name to BUDKA SUFLERA and spent the next few years undergoing many lineup changes which by the time the band's debut album was recorded in 1974 was Krzysztof Cugowski (vocals), Romuald Lipko (bass), Tomasz Zeliszewski (drums) and Andrzej Ziółkowski (guitar).

The band found instant success with the track "Cień Wielkiej Góry," ( The Shadow of the Big Mountain ) in 1974 and quickly recorded an album with the same title to follow in its wake. Released in 1975 BUDKA SULFLERA had the unique opportunity of people lining up for its release and all 60,000 copies pressed sold out in one day. Unfortunately the nascent Polish music industry didn't think bout repressing the album and it quickly became a highly desirable and expensive album to acquire. It is estimated that the album would have sold up to a half million albums had the Polskie Nagrania Muza label had entertained the idea of simply pressing more! Guest musicians Marek Stefankiewicz on the organ as well as the Alibabki vocal group joined in for the album as well.

The title track was one of the band's biggest hits and inspired by the tragic death of two Polish mountaineers, Zbigniew Stepek and Andrzej Grzązek who died in an avalanche while climbing in the Himalayas in 1973. The album also got a boost from the guest appearance of Czesław Niemen who played the moog synthesizer, a novelty that most Poles were still unfamiliar with. The album featured five tracks, four on Side A which featured semi-proggy rock tracks with a touch of heavier rock at times however the prog creds were on the lighter side of the equation. The tracks move through various styles ranging from classic 70s rock to heavy psych, folky interludes and a touch of local Polish flavors. All lyrics were performed in the Polish language.

The band saved the more complex features for the side B sole track "Szalony kón" which featured an extended 19 minute and 25 second adventure through various moods and textures. The side long track also features some of the most progressive workouts. The sprawling track showed Polish prog in its nascency, a good six years behind the curve of its Western counterparts but still showcased a lengthy jam session that allowed Nieman to let loose on the moog. The track also allowed some standout drumming solos as well as some impressive time signature deviations that firmly placed BUDKA SUFLERA in the prog camp. The track really succeeds in wending and winding through various transitions with instrumental workouts providing the intermissions to move on to various vocal oriented segments.

While somewhat dated for 1975, it's understandable that the communist block was not able to absorb the sheer quantity of prog rock that was easily available in the West and therefore we can't hold these bands to the same timeline really. Personally i think this is an excellent album as all the tracks are exquisitely designed and brilliantly performed. I really love Cugowski's passionate vocal style and his range. The melodies are instantly addictive while the complexities take it all to the next level. It's no wonder this band was so popular in Poland. This was probably some of the best music to exist in that nation in the 1970s along with SBB of course. A brilliant debut that would find the band disbanding soon after but quickly reforming. Newer remastered versions feature bonus tracks but none are as brilliant as the original five tracks from 1975. Sure it would help if you understand Polish but the music speaks the most to me here.

 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

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Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by sgtpepper

3 stars Budka Suflera may be more famous for their later rock/pop records but they had good prog-rock moments on their debut album. Not as ambitious and focused as SBB, Collegium Musicum or Blue Effect, Budka Suflera retained quite raw sound in 1975 unlike many more polished prog-rock bands in Western Europe, Italy and Sweden at that time.

Vocals are quite expressive and original sung in Polish. You will hear some rock, hard-rock and even light soul shades in the singer's vocal.

Instrumentally, there is not very much complexity but I would highlight drums and keyboards that some more progressive than other instruments. The guitar drives the sound more into hard rock/hard prog direction.

The weakness of this album is the average compositional power and incoherence since the band tried to try multiple directions.

Bonus tracks are surprisingly good, enjoy the last track "Najdluzsa droga", which is one of the most progressive tracks on the album supported by saxophone, clavinet and epic motive.

Another highlight is the epic 19-minute track with shifts in the speed and I love the synth solo in the middle.

Recommended to all that like exploring prog from less traditional countries.

 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

BUY
Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Budka Suflera meant to become one of the leading Rock/Soft Rock acts in Poland, but their roots were definitely progressive.The band from Lublin was formed around singer Krzysztof Cugowski and bassist Romuald Lipko in early-70's with Andrzej Ziolkowski and drummer Ryszard Siwiec completing the first line-up.After several gigs and drummer changes Zbigniew Zielinski sits behind the drum kit and Budka Suflera eventually meet success in 1974, covering Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" in Polish.This was the last recording of Zielinski with the band, as he was replaced by Tomasz Zeliszewski.Having earned a contract with Polskie Nagrania Muza they headed to their debut album, inviting Czesław Niemen and Marek Stefankiewicz to help out on keyboards, while the female vocal ensemble Alibabki participated in the female choirs,Their debut ''Cien wielkiej gory'' was finally released in 1975.

First side shows the band practicing their moves between different styles with comfort and the only common thing in all four tracks are the expressive Polish vocals.The eponymous kick off is a grandiose Space Rock piece with Niemen's moog synths in evidence and a deep lyrical content, resembling to Hungarians EAST, while the follower ''Lubic ten stary obraz'' shifts easy between acoustic mannerisms, orchestral plays with strings and complex Heavy/Blues Rock with impressive guitar breaks.''Samotny noca'' is more of a conventional Hard Rocker with a typical song structure, characterized by the edgy lead guitars and the aggresive voice of Cugowski, but with ''Jest taki samotny dom'' Budka Suflera return to a grandiose Space/Symphonic Rock with pompous keyboards and excellent guitar solos in the vein of ELOY, EAST and compatriots PROGRES 2.The flipside is captured by Budka Suflera's ambitious attempt on putting up a long epic, the 19-min. ''Szalony kon''.While not fully convincing, this a pretty good example of 70's Polish Prog with a balanced sound but a rather questionable connection between the styles.It represents nicely the band's talent, which was based on deep lyricism, complicated instrumental lines and early psychedelic influences, offering extended guitar parts, furious synth workouts by Niemen and poetic passages with Cugowski's voice leading the way.It draws influences from Heavy Rock, Classical Music and Psychedelic Rock in almost equal doses, switching between angular guitar-led runs and laid-back textures with a low tempo.

I could say that this album is fully representative of 70's Polish Prog.Stuffed with psychedelic vibes, based on expressive vocal work but also filled with intricate instrumental themes.Not the best from the country, but definitely good enough one to seek for.Recommended.

 Przechodniem bylem miedzy wami... by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1976
3.69 | 48 ratings

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Przechodniem bylem miedzy wami...
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 3.5 stars really

Budka Suflera is one of better known progressive rock bands from Poland in the'70s with first two albums being very well recived both by fans and critics. Second album from 1976 named Przechodniem bylem miedzy wami...(I've Been a Passerby Among You) is a very worthy release offering symphonic prog moments with grandious arrangements melted with heavy prog passages not very far from what done in same period Birth Control on Palstic people or with Uriah Heep around Sweet freedom period. Here and there appear some sax solos and some jazz funky parts specially on bass lines. Also some keybords, mostly moog is quite well puted in the context. The guitar work is strong, going from mellow parts to more edgy all in progressive rock vein. The voical lines are ok, not really fantastic to my ears but good, fiting very well in this musical aproach. All in all more then decent album, one of the most respected from polish prog school. 3.5 stars.

.

 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

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Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars With Polish psych/prog elder statesman Czesław Niemen guesting on Moog, Budka Suflera's debut album had a lot going for it, but set against other heavy psychedelic music of the day t feels a little uninspired. The band by and large do a competent job - though Krzysztof Cugowski's vocals are a little underwhelming - but these jams, whilst interesting, never quite attain the full potential of the format. The side-long title track finds the band getting a little ambitious at last, but even that feels flat compared with, say, the last track on Arzachel's sole album from 1969. The fact is that the prog and psych worlds had already moved on by the time this album was released, and with Niemen himself producing superior material at around the same time Iron Curtain-era isolation from Western musical innovations clearly isn't an excuse.
 Nic nie boli, tak jak życie by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1997
2.14 | 23 ratings

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Nic nie boli, tak jak życie
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

2 stars This Polish band certainly has been consistant at releasing albums over the years. This is their 10th release since their debut from 1975. This one was released in 1997 and it's clear that this is a talented band when it comes to creating music. While the debut was excellent and something most Prog fans would enjoy, they've pretty much become makers of poppy tunes at this point. I bet they are popular though as they do have a talent for this style of music. Vocals are in Polish.

"Takie Tango" is laid back with guitar and vocals. It picks up with a beat as the guitar comes and goes. "Radio Taxi" opens with organ, guitar and a beat as the vocals join in. He's passionate 1 1/2 minutes in, in fact I bet you can see the veins in his forehead at this point. "Jeden Raz" is piano and reserved vocals. It does get fuller and we get passionate vocals late. "Gdzie Jest Ta Krew" is catchy with vocals. "Strefa Polcienia" has this relaxed guitar and sound as the vocals join in. Passionate vocals at times and they are quite moving. This guy can sing.

"Glodny" has a good rhythm and the guitar is expressive as the vocals join in. Good stuff. Nice guitar solo 4 minutes in. "Nic Nie Boli, Tak Jak Zycie" sounds good with the higher pitched vocals. It's heavier after 1 1/2 minutes as contrasts continue. "Szukamy Sie" puts the focus on the vocals in this relaxed offering. Not a fan. "Przegrywac..." is catchy but laid back with vocals. It's fuller 1 1/2 minutes in as contrasts continue. "Bez Aplauzu" is uptempo with vocals and it's heavier too. "Po Tej Stronie Nadziei" has organ and a beat as the guitar then vocals join in. "Nowa Wleza Babel" ends it with strings and fragile vocals. Not a fan.

A tough one to recommend because it's so straight-forward with all these shorter tracks.

 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

BUY
Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This is another album my Bro In Law introduced me to. This band is from Poland with Polish vocals and this their debut was released in 1975. The band I thought of most when listening to this was SBB. And I can honestly say that the instrumental work is as good as SBB and that's the biggest compliment I can give these guys. I've never been a fan of Polish vocals but man can this guy let it rip. Those vocals with the unbridled power instrumentally makes this a true must-have in my opinion.

"Cien Wielkied Gory" opens with atmosphere and female vocal melodies before fragile male vocals join in. The male vocals become passionate. Drums and guitar follow along with floating organ. Nice instrumental section before 6 minutes to the end. "Lubie Ten Stary Obraz" opens with intricate guitar melodies and sounds as the vocals join in. I like it ! It all stops before 2 1/2 minutes then a new soundscape kicks in with vocals. This is more aggressive with guitar. A slightly mellower section with strings comes in as these sections are contrasted. A guitar solo 5 minutes and check out the drum work then the organ. Nice. "Samotny Noca" has a good heavy sound with vocals. The organ leads before 2 minutes as the vocals stop briefly. "Jest Taki Samotny Dom" kicks in quite heavily but slowly before a minute. A calm with reserved vocals takes over quickly as these contrasts continue. Female vocals 3 1/2 minutes in then the male vocals join in too. It's building. So good !

"Szalony Kori" is the closing side long suite at almost 20 minutes. It opens with a gong then we get some nasty moog runs, I mean they sound evil. Drums and more join in. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as it calms down. The guitar, drums and vocals kick in with passion. It's RUSH-like 4 minutes in then those filthy moog runs are back. A calm 6 minutes in. Vocals follow as it becomes fuller. A change before 7 1/2 minutes as the drums and guitar show off. So impressive. Vocals a minute later. Backing female vocals after 11 minutes with the male vocals are all so passionate. Gulp. Guitar before 12 minutes and the synths join in too. A calm with vocals 13 minutes in then it kicks in again as contrasts continue. A calm with reserved vocals before 18 minutes to end it.

Just a killer album even though i'm not that into Polish vocals. Still the drum work and instrumental work in general is incredible.

 Cien wielkiej góry by BUDKA SUFLERA album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 71 ratings

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Cien wielkiej góry
Budka Suflera Eclectic Prog

Review by Emej

5 stars By way of introduction I have say that this is polish progressive rock classic.In Poland this album is something like for example Yes "Close to the Edge" or Deep Purple "In Rock" to put it simply -one of the best rock music release of all time. Budka Suflera style on this longplay can be described as mixture of hard rock in vein of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin and progressive rock in vein of Yes or early King Crimson.Budka blends this two types of influences smoothly. We have also very strong and powerful voice of Cugowski (one of the greatest rock singer), what a pity that he is unknown abroad.Moreover I need to mention very poetical and literary lyrics.It is worth to mention that Niemen (great polish rock star of those time) took part in recording of this album and also lent Budka minimoog and hammond organ.

Cień Wielkiej Góry - track about alpinist who died during the mountain climbing, spacious with strings section.The end of the song is a little bit similar to "Let It Be" by The Beatles

Lubię Ten Stary Obraz -very Deep Purple and Free influenced track, in second part of the song we can hear hammond organ solos a bit similar to Jon Lord works.

Samotny Nocą- the simplest song of the album.Dominated by guitar riffs and hammond organ.Towards more into typical 70's hard rock.

Jest Taki samotny Dom- one of the anthem of polish rock music, amazing heavy guitar riff, gothic atmosphere, violins, organ, choir. Still unearthly song..

Szalony Koń- almost 20 minute suite.You can find almost everything here: a little bit of Purple and even Sabbath-riffing, Zeppelin style drums solos, long minimoog solos, female choir, delicate bluesy guitars, church organ.Track full of melody and ideas, a true progressive rock masterpiece

To sum up I would like to encourage you to listen to this album because progressive rock have it's masterpiece from 70's not only in UK or Germany but also in other coutries like Poland and "Cień Wielkiej Góry" by Budka Suflera is together with "Krywań Krywań" by Skaldowie the best polish rock album in golden era of rock 1969-76.

Thanks to clarke2001 for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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