KRYWAN, KRYWAN

I feel bad to a colleague of mine whom I met through this site. He was so keen to know vintage prog bands from all corners in the world including my country, Indonesia. We exchanged CDs and one of them was this album by Skaldowie. The package looks impressive: it's like an LP replica with good look. However, because of my workload as well as many CDs that stuck on my desk, I had no time (read: "priority") to spin this CD. I already had this CD about more than two months ago and since then there were many CDs from new newer bands like Spock's Beard, Marillion, Steve Hackett, Porcupine Tree etc. which came to be my first priority. I only got a chance to open the seal of this package just last night (so sorry Jarek!). WOW! That was my first impression listening to the first track of this album. I have made mistake not listening to this CD even though it's been with me for quite a long time ago. I spun the CD three times last night - in its entirety for each spin. This morning I spin it again and I don't think I need another spin to pen my opinion about this album.

Krywaniu, Krywaniu (17:45) opens the album with an ambient nuance followed with vocal line. The music moves with good melody led by vocal in Polish on top of rhythm section which is quite dominated with bass lines. Once the lyrical verse finishes, Hammond organ follows the way in excellent solo backed with dynamic bass lines. The music slows down and lets Hammond to give further solo while bass guitar role is a bit diminishing - as well as drum work. It turns faster in tempo followed in crescendo with much dynamic bass guitar work and drums. The Hammond sound is really unique and it reminds me to the work of Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep). Oh man .. I really like this portion of music. It's so compelling and it's so classic! The Hammond then plays cuts from "Pictures at an Exhibition" of Musssorgski. What follows is a bass guitar solo augmented with guitar which provides great entrance of violin to take its solo as the vocal enters the music again. Again, I really love this transition piece! Violin provides its background work during vocal session and it continues with marvelous solo. Oh my God . this is AWESOME! This is truly a vintage prog music, I would say! Those of you who observed prog since the 70s would say that this part is truly WONDERFUL! What so interesting is the combined work of violin, bass guitar and Hammond. Perfect! At approx minute 11 the band gives a sort of avant-garde break while using violin and bit of drums and bass guitar to provide ambient nuance. The music sounds like to end but it's in fact peaking up again in faster tempo. There are also cuts from Bach, Borodin and Rossini as well. This track reminds me to the music of The Flock combined with ELP. I have no other choice to give this epic track with full five stars (*****).

Juhas zmarł (4:35) is a quite straight forward music with heavy influence from Afro African music that relies heavily on percussion. Even though the percussion dominates rhythm section, bass guitar as well as piano provide an obvious contribution for the music. There is definitely a touch of jazz music. I feel like the piano solo provided in the middle of the track is like a combined work of Joe Sample and Chick Corea. Guitar solo follows. This track deserves three stars (***).

Jeszcze kocham (2:34) is a track with pop touch and excellent piano work augmented with obvious bass guitar work. Again, it has a touch of jazz as it's clearly demonstrated by the work of piano augmented with guitar. The piano solo is excellent and it definitely satisfies jazz lovers. (***)

Gdzie mam ciebie szukać (5:16) has an intro which combines vintage rock guitar work augmented with shots of Hammond organ followed with vocal. The composition sounds simple and the music flows in straightforward structure. The rhythm section includes percussion work. This time, guitar is given a chance to deliver its solo in the middle of the track augmented with brass section. (***)

Fioletowa dama (5:14) is an excellent concluding track and one of my favorites in addition to the opening track. It kicks off with Hammond organ work in vintage style. The music flows beautifully with Hammond as lead melody while bass guitar, drums and guitar serve as rhythm section. Guitar then takes the lead melody through solo while Hammond plays as rhythm section with other instruments. Violin is also given a chance to perform solo. It's really a nice track. (****)

Overall, this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. It's a must for those who enjoy violin and Hammond organ sounds. The CD sleeve mentions that this album was released in 1972, instead of 1973. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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