UP THE RIVER

Up The River was recorded and released in quite dramatic for Poland period - anti Communist dictatorship atmosphere was on every street, but regime still was in control of situation in the country.

No strange that band, known by its conceptual theatrical shows prepared the program, full of dramatics and that moment street's atmosphere. Band played this program in all biggest Polish cities that year.

I have a mixed feeling about this release. I perfectly understand (and remember) tension and adrenaline of these months in all Eastern Europe. And I easily can imagine how such musical shows looked in that time scenes. But when listen this recording now, I hear bulky, not very focused soundtrack. Yes - music is mix of neo-classic, chamber avant, strongly influenced by RIO, with narrative voices (in Polish). But without visual part, this music sounds as audio part for unreleased video (happening, play - whatever you want).

Firstly released as audio cassette only, it was re-released as LP two years later in UK. Interesting legacy, but hardly an essential musical album.

Reportaż's "W górę rzeki" (Up the River) is not only their best album, but it is in fact the best album of whole polish avant-prog scene - and I know it almost entirely, so you can trust me.

"W górę rzeki" is a dark and gloomy suite, with a lot of Univers Zero feeling in it ("Heresie" comes to mind), but it also provides us with a plenty of experimentation (especially with musician's voices, "mouth-made" noises and sounds made by random objects), free improvisation and calm, yet disturbing ambientlish mood. The music sometimes gets complex and quirky as well, and it sounds even more amazing when you realise, there are only three musicians here - Paweł Paluch on bassoon and toy xylophone, Andrzej Karpiński on drums and Arnold Dąbrowski on piano and sythesizer (Andrzej is the main vocalist, although all of them recite or make noises with their mouth sometimes). It is important to keep in mind that Reportaż was known of his very theatrical and artistic approach to studio records and gigs, so the lyrics (which are in polish) are quite surreal, talking about a woman, who traveled 3 days only to ask her son how does she look like for example. Of course all the lyrics are open for interpretation.

It is impossible to find a physical copy of this album I think, but luckly you can find a recording of the gig containing the whole suite, as well as many more interesting videos on Reportaż's official YouTube channel, runned by Andrzej Karpiński, who is the only one member in the Reportaż now.

What else can I say? This album is obviously a masterpiece, and even 5 stars feels like a little bit too less. The atmosphere and musicianship are truly unique and on the highest level possible. This is "a must" both for Univers Zero (or any other dark chamber prog band) fans and people, who want to know the biggest highlight of the polish RIO scene.