MOONSHINE

Recently my good friend and PA colleague Henk Van Der Off (Progrules) asked me why I haven't written a review for this album. I could not find a good answer at the time. So I decided it was time to do so,ething about it. In fact I still find hard to rate this album. Its importance can't be understimate. For me, and a lot of people outside Polland, this was the record to put that country in the prog map. Even today Moonshine is a reference. Why? It is simply the right album at the right time with the right musicians. And it is more than that.

The band had matured into something unique due the fact it included an excellent songwriter (drummer and leader Wojtek Szadkowski), a guitar player that was more than good: he had built his own style of playing (Mirek Gil) and had aquired recently an excellent and distinctive singer (Robert Amirian), But most of all they had a keyboards player that gave their sound a very unique feel: Krzysztof Palczewski . He can only be described as one of those one in a million cases of a truly genius in his work. Just listen to his playing and try to think of anyone who have done anything so brilliant, melodic and overwhelming.

That said, just listen to the record. It sounds like nothing else, and yet their influences are quite easy to recognize (Genesis, Pink Floyd, early Marilliom, Camel and the like). the result is a masterpiece of music that defies categorization. to me they play symphonic prog rock with some polish folk influences here and there. the music is complex and accessible at the same time. they ahve great melodies and fine tunes. A pleasure to hear from beginning to end. Production could be better, but nothing that spoils the overall great effect of their music.

to me is one of the best prog rock records to emerge form the 90's and it is a masterpiece of progressive music. In other words: essential. Five stars with honors. One of my favorite CDs of all time.