KBB or SBB?

Although this instrumental fusion band has been around since 1992, they only released their first album eight years later and, my oh my, was it ever worth the wait! Imagine KING CRIMSON, UK, The MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and early JEAN-LUC PONTY all rolled into one plus some discrete traditional Japanese references. Powered by the violin, KBB’s music is dynamic, playful, intense and complex, yet melodic and surprisingly accessible. The band includes an exceptional violinist named Akihisa Tsuboy who also plays cellolin and guitar in addition to composing most of the material. The other members are keyboard player Toshimitsu Takahashi, bassist-guitarist Dani and drummer Shirou Sugano. All four musicians are extremely proficient.

Their two albums, “Lost and Found” and “Four Corner’s Sky”, will treat you to some feisty, bombastic passages interspersed with quiet, classical-style piano. The dense use of keyboards may give the music a more symphonic feel than, say, MAHAVISHNU, but the various time signatures within each track, the solid rhythm section, the interesting dialogue between the violin and guitar and the strong compositional contents all provide a variety of aural experiences guaranteed to keep you on your toes. All this blessed with a top-notch production. This is an adventurous, inventive and tightly-knit quartet worth keeping your eyes on. Violin-powered prog fusion doesn’t get much better than this.

Absolutely essential for fans of early PONTY, RETURN TO FOREVER and SPACED OUT.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S.B.B.

 

PA bio:

The most well-known Polish band in the Seventies! SBB contains a rich variety of influences, which include symphonic prog with intricate and fully orchestrated arrangements. The acoustic guitar adds a very interesting texture. Beauty of the keyboard parts, romantic sonorities of the piano parts and careful, aerial vocal parts brought this group close to PINK FLOYD, CAMEL or GENESIS. Some of their albums were released in West Germany and Czechoslovakia, and they are now active again. "Follow My Dream" and "Welcome" are probably their two best.

The shorthand expression SBB was at first for Silesian Blues Band however later than for Szukaj - Burz - Buduj (Search - Break - Build up).

 

 

 

 

Two esteemed bands, one older than the other; from two different places on the planet.

A simple thread to bring these bands to your attention, the poll is just for fun.

 

 

 

 

 

As good as KBB are live, SBB by a country mile.