MEMENTO Z BANALNYM TRYPTYKIEM

"Memento Z Banalnym Tryptykiem" is my first journey into the world of SBB and it seemed a good place to start as it is the most popular and most reviewed album. It begins with (English titles as I can't write in Polish) 'My Land Of Dreams', with a classical music intro and then a rumbling drone before the manic percussion and guitar melodies crash in. The uptempo beat is refreshing, motorvating along nicely, and eventually some Polish vocals chime in. 'The Triangle Of Joy' follows, a dark beauty haunts it with Spanish flavours made possible by accomplished acoustic guitar picking. There are symphonic passages towards the end encompassing an ambient atmosphere. 'Strategy Of Pulse' wraps up side one of the vinyl, with quick tempo jazz fusion influences. The lead guitar flourishes glow brightly along with innovative keyboard motifs.

Side two is swallowed up by the monster epic 'Memento With A Banal Tryptych' made up of a myriad of instrumental passages ranging from improv jazz explorations to beautiful symphonic washes. The melodic lead guitar is a key feature on this, and the vocals return at times between the massive instrumental breaks. The lead break at the end is excellent and draws it to a dramatic conclusion with a symphonic blast.

I enjoyed this album as much as any instrumental dominated jazz fusion album such as that of Billy Cobham or Herbie Hancock. It is a strong contender for one of the albums of 1980, a dead year for prog, and has some amazing musicianship contained therein, worth pursuing.