SBB - 1980 - Memento z balalnym tryptykiem

SBB

1980 

Memento z balalnym tryptykiem

01. Moja ziemio wysniona (My Land Of Dreams) (8:39)
02. Trójkat radosci (The Triangle Of Joy) (7:48)
03. Strategia pulsu (Strategy Of Pulse) (3:29)
04. Memento z banalnym tryptykiem (Memento With A Banal Tryptych) (20:56)

Bonus track (CD):
05. Z których krwi krew moja (10:40)

Jozef Skrzek / bass, piano, moog, vocals
Apostolis Antymos / guitar
Jerzy Piotrowski / percussion

GUESTS:
Slawomir Piwowar / guitar, bass, clavinet, Fender piano, Handclapping
Jan Skrzek / Mouth-organ, Handclapping
Alicja Piwowar & Renata Szybka / Handclapping

I have had something of a sheltered life regarding Jazz/Fusion, I am not an expert but know a bloody good album when I hear it - they say if you look hard enough you never know what may bite you - an obscure (to me) Polish Jazz Rock/Fusion band with an abbreviated name, an unpronounceable album title but with some very enthusiastic reviews, I had heard and been impressed by some other notable Polish bands and classical composers, so I looked for this particular album and lo and behold found a vinyl copy in Poland so duly thought despite the tacky "home made" appearance of the black and white photo on the cover and obscure record label I'd give it a whirl, and wow! what a fabulous album it has revealed itself to be - it has hardly been off my turntable since I received it, and here's why....

The first side is like a mini symphony, awash with synthesised orchestra, Dave Gilmour style guitar solos and electrifying keyboard passages, every second is a joy to listen to packed with so many ideas, hooks, twists and flourishes, the musicianship is excellent, the sound quality is rich and clear. The first sound before "My Land of Dreams" tricks you into thinking you may have bought a classical music LP by mistake - indeed a trick! The song kicks into a fast Jazz/Rock instrumental as sophisticated as any top class Jazz Rock you are ever likely to hear - it has a gloriously catchy theme, the song slows into the vocal section sung in Polish with another catchy hook line in the backing, then leads into a Genesis style build up, then another twist - a Funk style groove leading into another devilishly catchy hook line arrangement using lead guitar and piano, rousing to and a very fast guitar solo with orchestrated backing. The next song is the haunting "The Triangle of Joy", a slow magical instrumental which begins with a watery sounding effect on polymoog I would guess, backing a beautiful acoustic Spanish - style solo, then continues with a wash of synthesised keyboard overlaid with a complicated slightly distorted electric guitar solo, leading to the bluesy ending to the track. The third track "The Strategy of Pulse", is another tricky, catchy slab of Jazz/Funk overlaid with heavy distorted lead guitar - this style of this track is very reminiscent of early seventies Rock/Fusion bands such as Herbie Hancock and would stand up in comparison of quality very well indeed, it is that good!

Side 2 is taken up with the sprawling "Memento with a banal tryptych" - which is how it comes out in translation, but there is nothing banal about this music at all. This amazing piece begins with a grand introduction to a catchy melody, some very memorable hook lines. It includes some Polish language vocals which many may not understand but the language of this beautiful music will be understood by all. The music follows many interesting twists, moods and changes but follows through very smoothly to my ears - some American style folk and Slavonic influences here mixed in with some great Art rock themes, grand Floydian crescendos and melodies makes for a very engaging listen indeed....ooops....another trick ending...naughty boys!

I would recommend this brilliant album to all fans of Jazz/Rock as an excellent addition, which draws from some big name influences but the quality of the music stands up well alongside them.

The last album before SBB's dissolution in 1980 (they would reform some decades later) sees the band going out in fine form. With less space rock content than usual, the symphonic prog influences on the band - particularly those from Genesis - are on view more than ever, and guitarist Apostolis Antymos includes a wonderful extended classical guitar performance on Trójkąt Radości worthy of Anthony Phillips himself. Bookended by brief orchestral passages, the album seems to be intended as a farewell statement from the band - the "Banal Triptych" of the title quite possibly being the three band members themselves. If it was, it was a respectable enough way to bow out, though at the same time it doesn't quite hit the standards of the band's magnificent works from their great 1977-1978 burst of creativity.