SBB - 1975 - Pamiec

SBB 

1975

Pamiec

01. W kolysce dloni twych (In The Cradle Of Your Hands (To My Father)) (Ojcu) (9:09)
02. Z których krwi krew moja (From Whose Blood, My Blood) (10:14)
03. Pamiec w kamien wrasta (Memory Grows Into Stone) (19:50)

Bonus tracks (CD):
04. Poranek nadziei (4:30)
05. Barwy drzewa (2:01)
06. Osiem rak (4:40)
07. Waldie (9:13)
08. Niedokonczona progresja (6:24)
09. Reko-reko (4:31)
10. Serenada Gia Sena (4:54)


- Jozef Skrzek / bass guitar, Fender piano, Hammond organ, synthesisers, vocals
- Antymos Apostolis / guitar
- Jerzy Piotrowski / percussion

SBB are architects of an irresistable cosmic prog sound, as long as you pick up the key albums from the '70s. 'Pamiec' is one of their best.

Even though SBB's music isn't extremely complicated or difficult doesn't make them any less aptivating to even the most demanding ears. The dramatic qualities and the patience they exercise in building their songs are wonderful elements of their style. 'Pamiec' consists of three lengthy songs, each a fine representation of the band's style: jazzy, cosmic, synth-dominant, dramatic, it's all here, with occasional flurries of kinetic storms from drummer Jerzy Piotrowski and generally unpredictable dynamics. Mainman and bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Jozef Skrzek is cleary the guiding light, though he gives the other members plenty of room to move around. His vocals are full of conviction, sometimes fragile, sometimes triumphant, usually carrying a kind of lamenting/melancholy tone.

Some moments are crushingly beautiful ("From Whose Blood My Blood") and some are frightening in their dynamic range (the side-long "Memory Grows Into Stone"). The sounds are all an analog-loving synth-enthusiast could ask for, but it's so much more than just a showcase for Skrzek, as his compositions shine brightly throughout this eventful album, and the band chemistry reaches peak points all over the place. The instrumental balance is another highlight, guitar given plenty of presence amidst the other sounds, nothing ever battling for the spotlight, all of it working toward the strength of the song.

Pamiec is the result of SBB finally getting access to the quality studio recording environments their material deserved, and on top of that showcases an amazing growth in the band's capabilities. The album showcases a sound which seamlessly fuses symphonic prog with a cosmic variety of space rock. Imagine a combination of Saucerful of Secrets-era Pink Floyd's command of blissful atmospheres with Peter Gabriel-led Genesis' sense of drama and technical mastery, topped off with the mystical, majestic air of the finest Yes tracks, and now imagine those qualities being expressed in a wholly original sound that can only be SBB's own: there, you have the glory of Pamiec.