SBB - 1977 - Wolanie O Brzek Szkla (Slovenian Girls)

SBB

1977

Wolanie O Brzek Szkla (Slovenian Girls)

01. Wolanie o brzek szkla (19:10)
02. Odejscie (19:47)

Bonus tracks (CD):
03. Bitwy na obrazach (3:48)
04. Uscisk w dolku (3:38)
05. Muzykowanie latem (16:50)
06. Fikolek (14:53)

"Slovenian Girls" version track list:

A1 Julia 18:50
B1 Anna 19:30

- Józef Skrzek / vocals, keyboards, harmonica
- Apostolis Antymos / guitars
- Jerzy Piotrowski / drums, percussion

Recorded 12-22.04.1977 at Mozarteum Studio, Prague.

Originally a Czechoslovak-exclusive release. Later released in West Germany by Omnibus as "Slovenian Girls" with changed song titles.

There were 4 CD rereleases of this album:

- Koch International's from 1997 (based on West German "Slovenian Girls" release with changed song titles)

- Supraphon's from 2003 (based on original Czechoslovak release with Supraphon 1 43 2097 single included as bonus)

- Metal Mind's from 2005 (the same as Supraphon rerelease, but also including "Muzykowanie Latem" and "Fikołek")

- Belle Antique's from 2014 (again based on Supraphon rerelease, but also with "Wołanie O Brzęk Szkła ~ Odejście [Finale] [Different Version]")

They really could do a movie about this band because their lives and careers were so interesting. They were constantly dealing with the communist government on one hand and the young people who were so thirsty for freedom and Rock music on the other hand. This album was recorded in Czechoslovakia where they were very popular, playing at times to a few hundred thousand young people. It just amazes me that they had the freedom to play in these European countries both communist and non-communist although they were also hassled and humiliated at border crossings because of this envied freedom they had. We get two side long tracks both over 19 minutes in length. I was surprised at all the synths and how spacey this is at times. I much prefer when they play with aggression because they play at a level that blows my mind.

Everyone interested in roots of Eastern European progressive rock must to listen this band! It wasn't easy to play (and record) such kind of music in dark times, when half of Europe was under the rule of Soviet Russia controlled regimes.

S.B.B. in 70-s was quite a unique band. Mixing bluesy roots, psychedelic atmosphere and excellent rock musicianship with some dreamy, melodic and atmospheric Slavic traditions, they played music which was just as fresh air in dusty desert of culture of Socialistic realism.

I believe they were biggest name in the field of progressive rock all around Eastern Europe (there were just few more all around). Only Yugoslavia with their very democratic form of the same epidemic was a fruitful place for domestic rock culture.

This album was recorded in Czechoslovakia in April 1977 and released in the same country. It's interesting, that many S.B.B. albums were released outside of Poland ( in Czechoslovakia or Germany mostly). Sound quality is only average, sound is a bit flat, more on the standard from 60-s.

There are just two long compositions on this album (19+ minutes long each). And it is a great compositions! Trio consisting of keyboardist, guitarist and drummer, plays rich, full- bodied music. All musicians are very competent, and musicianship is very inspired. You can feel that magic in air!

The music itself is complex, but very melodic and atmospheric mix of symphonic roc, jazz rock and psychedelic sound. Listening to both these compositions, you will enjoy every second of music played.

One of the best band's works, the original LP was re-released on CD with 4 bonus tracks (two of them were recorded during the same session in Prague and released as single before, and other two were recorded in 1976 and never released before).

Another amazing SBB album, and a particular triumph for group keyboardist and vocalist Józef Skrzek, whose synthesiser mastery is on exceptional form this time around. Having mastered a space rock-symphonic melange with a spicy dose of jazz fusion, the group seemed to take this album to introduce more minimalistic elements into their work - rather than being busily playing complex material all the time, the group know just when to step back and get simple for a delicate acoustic guitar interlude or for a tension building percussion segment. It takes a listen or two to sink in, but once it does the effect is electrifying, building up the extended compositions marvellously to their grand conclusions. One of their best.