In what seems to be a never-ending stream of reissues from Poles SBB and released on the GAD Records label, this latest collection of music that first saw the light of day between 1975 and 1976. Przebudzenie consists of recordings for the Polish Film ‘Chronicle’ (January 1976) and the suite Na ten Czas ‘For This Time’ recorded at the request of the Polish radio Katowice (May 1975).
Przebudzenie has previously been released under various iterations and sees the most psychedelic and Krautrock version of SBB to date. It is dark and gloomy music, full of deep sounds from the infamous Italian ‘Davolisint’ synthesizer, distorted (bass), guitar and all kinds of sound effects and reverbs. There is a claustrophobic and heavy atmosphere throughout, reinforced by hypnotic rhythms, sound experiments and strange solo parts, all performed by the trio of Józef Skrzek (vocals & synthesizers), Apostolis Antymos (guitar) and Jerzy Piotrowski (drums).
If I may remain in associative spheres: “it sounds most like a journey to the grey, coal-strewn Silesia of the seventies. A kind of psychedelic trance trip.”
This latest version of Przebudzenie boasts eight bonus tracks, six of which appeared back in 2006 on Lost Tapes Vol. 2 – Studio & Live Recordings 1971-197; Na Czarno a various artists release in 2014 and Słodkie Jak Miód (Work In Progress) is new to this release.
This must have been one of the most difficult listening tasks of recent years for me. The largest part of the album consists of electronic sound experiments, long drawn-out instrumental sections, without apparent purpose or melody. Even the ‘vocals’, if I may qualify them as such, are used as an instrument. The music is very vaguely reminiscent of early Pink Floyd, perhaps Gong and some Krautrock – so this is certainly not suitable for sensitive ears. It’s funny that the translation of the songs results in titles such as March of the Galley Slaves, Awakening, Temporary, Barefoot, Sweet As Honey and even Carnival in Rio, none of which I hear.
This must have been by far the most experimental album by SBB and that in itself says a lot especially as the band was mainly known for its extremely unconventional music. This is likely a tough ask for fans of melodic prog rock and I really did struggle through this. I therefore guess that this CD will only make its way back to my music player a few times…
TRACK LISTING
01. Marsz Galerników (5:26)
01. Pater (3:40)
01. Przebudzenie (11:44)
01. Na Ten Czas (22:17)
~ Bonus tracks
05. Kołyska (2:30)
05. Wzlot (5:40)
05. Bosa Stopa (5:08)
05. Słodkie Jak Miód (5:10)
10. Karnawał W Rio (2:15)
10. Bez Dogrywek (4:33)
10. Na Czarno (7:02)
10. Słodkie Jak Miód (Work In Progress) (3:49)
Total Time – 79:14
MUSICIANS
Józef Skrzek – Piano, Keyboards, ‘Davolisint’ Synthesizer, Vocals
Apostolis Antymos – Guitar
Jerzy Piotrowski – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: GAD Records
Country of Origin: Poland
Date of Release: 12th January 2024
DISCOGRAPHY
– Przebudzenie (2024)
– Live Cuts – Katowice 2012 (2024)
– Live Cuts – Ostrava 2002 (2023)
– Live Cuts – Elmshorn 1980 (2023)
– Live Cuts – Sopot 1979 (2023)
– Live Cuts – Esbjerg 1979 (2023)
– Live Cuts – Enger 1977 (2023)
– Live Cuts – Köln 1978 (2022)
– Sekunda (2019)
– FOS (2019)
– Za Linią Horyzontu (2016)
– SBB (2012)
– Blue Trance (2010)
– Iron Curtain (2009)
– The Rock (2007)
– New Century (2005)
– Nastroje (2002)
– Memento Z Banalnym Tryptykiem (1982)
– Welcome (1979)
– SBB [Wołanie O Brzęk Szkła and Slovenian Girls] (1978)
– Follow My Dream (1978)
– SBB (1978)
– Halina Frąckowiak: Geira (1977)
– Jerzyk (1977)
– Ze Słowem Biegnę Do Ciebie (1977)
– Pamięć (1975)
– Newty Horizont (1975)
– SBB (1974)
LINKS
SBB – Facebook | Bandcamp (GAD Records) | YouTube
