SBB - Iron Curtain


Year of Release: 2009
Label: Metal Mind
Catalog Number: MMP CD 0655
Format: CD
Total Time: 42:54:00

For those who think of Metal Mind Productions as merely a metal label, the fact that SBB is on their roster alone should dispel that. This is far from being metal, even if there are some guitar bits that have rough edges.

SBB (originally known as Silesian Blues Band) formed in 1971 and became one of the top bands in their native Poland. They have had long gaps of inactivity (as SBB, although they still made music otherwise), but keep coming back together to record or play live. Their catalog is extensive, boasting more than 35 titles. Iron Curtain is their most recent release, which came out in 2009. As of this writing, the band -- J?zef Skrzek (vocals, bass, piano, organ, micro Moog, mini Moog), Apostolis Anthymos (guitars) and Gabor Nemeth (drums, percussion) -- are working on a new release due late 2010.

SBB's roots were in blues rock, although the influence of Mahavishnu Orchestra had the group looking to create music beyond that format. But those blues-rock beginnings show in the opening title track, "Iron Curtain." While at times I thought of Pink Floyd, mostly it was of late 60s/early 70s blues-rock, with a bit of rough-hewn vocal theatrics that make me think of Janis Joplin, though it should be said that Skrzek is singing - or in many instances on this track, vocalizing -- and that he doesn't sound female, but if you're familiar with Joplin's almost-screaming (for lack of a better description at present), you might know what I mean. And, it should also be noted, Skrzek sings in Polish throughout (with at least one exception in "Defilada" where the word "freedom" is clearly heard), and yet even if you don't understand Polish (and I don't), you understand the emotion or expression contained within.

"Iron Curtain" begins with warm piano and soft vocals from Skrzek, but builds slowly, growing in intensity, and, mostly in the vocal delivery, urgency.

A Pink Floyd feeling is pushed even further with the mostly instrumental track "Defilada" ("Procession"), but the use of organ ups the feeling of other classic prog like Genesis. It's the spacey, dramatic feel of PF with the epic of Genesis, "threatening" to go off into more angular King Crimson realms. And that Floyd aspect is not just that the marching feet heard at the beginning makes one think of The Wall (more the film than the album). While the "iron curtain" of the title doesn't directly refer to the "iron curtain" of politics, it does inform some of the themes - and certain here in this track that can be said, as the "parting" of the iron curtain opened the former Soviet Union nations to the wider world - well, opened them more. And the fall of the USSR certainly let to greater freedoms.

Beginning with track 3, "Camelele," SBB glide into jazzier realms. "Camelele" is a silky, smooth-jazz-y piece, lead by an elegant, sinewy guitar. Gentle, and easy flowing. In addition to the beautiful (yet throaty during the solo) guitar work from Anthymos, it includes some beautiful piano work from Skrzek. All in all a lovely track. It compares nicely with the higher energy jazz-rock piece, "Sunrise." There's a certain joie de vivre to the track, which puts keyboards front and center, though it is guitar that provides the solo. Drums are present, but not in a prominent role. The track is? sunny.

"Rozmowa Z Mistrzem" ("Talk With Master") follows, and gives us a slinkier jazz feel. It's of the style of jazz rock heard from Boz Scaggs, to share what popped into my head. Though I wouldn't say this leans more towards the jazz than the rock realms in that it doesn't feel at all "commercial." The drum rhythm, however, puts it squarely in the rock realm. And the deeply throaty, buzz-saw-like guitar solo gives this track a certain dangerous edge.

"Opowieść" ("Story") is airy, guitar-centric with, to my ears, a touch of a mid-western-US-ness in the arrangement. It's not really something I can describe in words, but the escalation of notes and the choice of instrumentation, in this case guitar, lend itself to a style that is not quite country, not quite rock, but a synthesis of the two.

"Błogosławione Dni" ("Blessed Days") is a showcase for drummer Gabor Nemeth - a dark, churning, rhythmic piece that puts crisp, taut drums and percussion right at the forefront. In the mix too is what sound like kettle drums, and if the pictures in the book are any clue, congas. Guitar and keyboard accents give a somewhat otherworldly atmosphere to the piece.

"G?ry Tańczące" ("Dancing Mountains") is a moodier piece - rich piano, searing guitar, and sparse percussion create a more contemplative atmosphere. Though like the opening track, the emotion and intensity build as the song progresses. So, what starts as mellow becomes more demonstrative without losing any of the moodiness. The image flash I had at this moment was of ascending these mountains, the feeling that the song will peak the moment we reach the summit. And if that's the case, we get more reverent and philosophical having reached the summit.

The album closes with the tangy tango of "Dop?ki Zyje Matka Jesteś Dzieckiem" ("As Long As I Live You Are A Child's Mother" - literally translated at least). What sound like twin guitar leads dance together to the Latin rhythm set out by the drums. Organ-like keys are ever present, providing the dance floor. A review I happened upon mentioned Santana in comparing this song, and I have to admit I agree; Santana would be an excellent touchstone.

I'm not sure (yet) how this compares to SBB titles past, but I can say I found this an excellent listen. I enjoyed every track and so cannot pick favorites, though at the moment I'm leaning towards "Błogosławione Dni"? but tomorrow it could be one of the others.

Track title translations are roughly what they translate to; as I mentioned in the review, I don't speak Polish, but?Google does. :-)


Tracklisting:
Iron Curtain (5:07) / Defilada (6:07) / Camelele (4:50) / Rozmowa Z Mistrzem (5:13) / Opowieść (4:33) / Błogosławione Dni (5:00) / Sunrise (3:01) / G?ry Tańczące (4:40) / Dop?ki Zyje Matka Jesteś Dzieckiem (4:18)

limited edition digipak features two bonus tracks: Aleatoryka and Nieśmiertelność

Musicians:
J?zef Skrzek - vocals, bass, piano, organ, micro Moog, mini Moog
Apostolis Anthymos - guitars
Gabor Nemeth - drums, percussion

Discography:
SBB (1974)
Nowy Horyzont (1975)
Pamieć (1975)
Ze Slowern Biegne Do Ciebie (1977)
Jerzyk (1977)
SBB (aka Amiga) (1978)
Follow My Dream (1978)
Wolanie O Brzek Szkla (1978)
Welcome (1979)
Memento Z Banalnym Tryptykiem (1980)
Live In America '94 (1994)
SBB Live 1993 (1994)
SBB 2 & 3 (box set) (1997)
Gold (1998)
Absolutely LIve '98 (1999)
W Filharmonii: Akt 1 (1999)
W Filharmonii: Akt 2 (1999)
Good Bye! SBB - Live In Concert (2000)
Karlstad Live (2001)
Budai Ifjusagi Park (24 & 29.11.1977) (2001)
Nastroje (2002)
Trio Live Tournee 2001 (2002)
Freedom - Live - Sopot '78 (2002)
22.10.1977, Gottingen, Alte Zeigelei (2004)
Anthology 1974-2004 (2004)
Sikorki (2004)
Wicher W Polu Dmie (2004)
Odlot - Live 2004 (2005)
New Century (2005)
Lost Tapes Vol 1 (Studio & Live Recordings 1974-1978) (2005)
Lost Tapes Vol 2 (Studio & LIve Recordings 1971-1979) (2006)
Live In Spodek 2006 (2006)
The Rock (2007)
Complete Tapes 1974 (2007)
Live In Marburg 1980, The Final Concert (2008)
Roskilde 1978 (2008)
Live In Neckargemund 1978, From A Town Called N (2008)
Iron Curtain (2009)
Live In K?ln 1979, In The Shadow Of The Dom (2009)
Live In Opole 1974, Rock Przez Cały Rok (2009)
Live In Frankfurt 1977, Follow My Music (2009)
Live In Sopot 1978, Extended Freedom (extended reissue of Freedom - Live - Sopot '78) (2009)
Live In Czechoslovakia 1980, Three Quarters (2009)
Malczewski (2009)

Szczęśliwi Z Miasta N - Koncert SBB 28.10.1979 (DVD) (2004)
Follow My Dream (DVD) (2004)
Live In Theatre 2005 (DVD) (2005)
Live In 1979 (DVD) (2006)
Four Decades (DVD) (2007)
Behind The Iron Curtain (DVD) (2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin PL

Added: July 7th 2010
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.sbb.pl
Hits: 4411
Language: english

  

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