SBB - 2016 - Za Linią Horyzontu

SBB

2016

Za Linią Horyzontu

01. Odwieczni Wojownicy

02. Najwyższy Czas

03. 360 Do Tyłu

04. Goris

05. Za Linią Horyzontu

06. Pacific

07. Zielony, Niebieski, Żółty

08. Suita Nr 9

Drums, Percussion – Jerzy Piotrowski

Guitar – Apostolis Anthimos

Vocals, Keyboards – Józef Skrzek

In 1994, SBB went on its first (and so far only) tour in the USA, and Jerzy Piotrowski liked it so much abroad that he stayed there permanently. And when it seemed that the trio would never play in their original line-up again, in 2013 "Keta" bought drums years later and began to practice intensively. In the spring of 2014, the group performed (with the orchestra) at the jubilee 50th Jazz nad Odrą festival. And it was not a one-off return.

The new SBB studio album, the first in this line-up since Welcome (1978), is a special item. On the one hand, the musicians refer to their past - both in music (more on that below), in the title of the album, and in the cover that echoes the works of Kazimierz Hałajkiewicz known from the envelopes of the first SBB albums. On the other hand, Jerzy Piotrowski reappears in a team that has not been suspended in a vacuum since 1994 and, without his participation, also searched, demolished and built. Józef Skrzek and Apostolis Anthimos played with Paul Wertico (ex-Pat Metheny Group) for several years, escaping into a very colorful, but also dangerous world of improvisation. Then, with Hungarian Gabor Nemeth (ex-Locomotiv GT), they remembered their rock and blues roots, recording, among others, very successful album "The Rock". In 2012, they even recorded a duet album. Then the percussion parts were recorded by Apostolis Anthimos, and their concerts were supported by instrumentalists as diverse as Frank Parker, Irek Głyk, and Krzysztof Dziedzic. But there was still something missing - or rather: someone.

This is clearly shown by the first track of the new album, Odwieczni Wojownica . This is a refreshed version of Itaka Warriors from the album "New Century". The revival of the rhythmic layer made the melancholy, nostalgic song a well-produced, catchy song. Even better in this category is the title track, with the heavy riff of Apostolis and the predatory Hammond organ. Escapes to regions hitherto unexplored by SBB are thought-provoking. It is high time with the shouted, even raped text will certainly be a composition in the trio's achievements that you either love or sincerely hate.

Fans should have smaller disagreements on the matter that closes the whole of Suite No. 9 . You can hear how much Jerzy's percussion nerve, remembered from compositions such as 3rd Reanimation or Walking Around the Stormy Bay, contributes to SBB's work . Suite No. 9 is the magnum opus of this album - the first such extensive form since the 1970s. There is basically everything that should be in a good SBB suite: daring instrumental parts, an elevated and monumental vocal part, and even an intimate coda reminding of playing with dynamics with "Freedom with us."

The orientalizing 360 backwards , performed at concerts back in 1974 and the ethnic Goris (also known from the performance of Naxos Orchestra), are remembered for a long time .

SBB is at such a stage in its career when it does not have to prove anything (or anyone). Even if the fans are calling for more albums in the spirit of "Memory" or "Mementa with a banal triptych", it is known that such albums will not be created. After all, both the musicians and the world are in a completely different place, and the truth of Heraclitus is still valid. But the soul is even more pleasant when it turns out that the Silesian trio is recording a very good album - even though it does not have to. Let us add: an album that surpasses most of their albums from the last two decades.

The only thing that can be faulted is the somewhat disturbed dramaturgy of the whole. A different arrangement of the songs could bring out even more emotions from them. But all the rest - the compositions, performance, as well as a very good mix (most of it was made by Mack, a friend of the musicians from the times of Niemen Group, known for his cooperation with Queen and ELO) - allows us to gladly announce that the reborn SBB has returned on all fronts, including the studio one. . And in a very good style.