AEROLIT

Aerolit is probably the best progressive album by CZESLAW NIEMEN. It is a great, dynamic, eclectic, jazz-rock/fusion album with great synthesizers, fantastic guitars, interesting rhythmic section and of course fantastic Niemen's vocal. There are also some interesting stories associated with this album. On the front cover you can see the painting made by Nieme's wife Malgorzata. The hands tight in front of the wall are a symbol and are associated with the lyric of the first song on the album - Cztery sciany swiata (which means Four walls of the world). The lyric is also very symbolic. It is a poem written by polish poet and songwriter - Jonasz Kofta (1942-1988). I especially like the beginning of this song when Niemen is singing:

Przed sciana dzwieku stoja głusi

Modla sie do muzyki

In front of the wall of sounds deaf people are standing

And they are preying to the music

Other lyrics are the poems of the Polish romantic poet Cyprian Kamil Norwid (1821-1883): Pielgrzym (Pilgrim), Daj mi wstazke blekitna (Give me a blue ribbon, Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska (1891-1945): Smutny ktos i biedny nikt (Sad someone and poor nobody) and Zbigniew Herbert (1924-1998) Kamyk (The little stone).

It is also interesting that new Niemen's band (that played on Aerolit) was established after a split (in a bad atmosphere) with Jozef Skrzek and Apostolos Anthimos (members of SBB that played on Niemen's albums - Marionetki, Strange Is This World and Ode to Venus). After the split Niemen discovered a young drummer Pior Dziemski (who died in age of 22 right after the release of Aerolit in 1975). His death had a great influence on Niemen's career. His next album - Katharsis on which Niemen is playing on all instruments was a typical electronic music and it was often criticized.

There is also another funny story associated with this album. In 2002 Niemen received a letter addressed to him and C.K. Norwid (romantic poet - 1821-1883) - his moog solo from Pilgrim was used on the album of CHEMICAL BROTHERS (Come with Us).

I recommend Aerolit to prog fans who like eclectic, mysterious and some times a little bit dark music. Also the people interested in jazz-rock fusion will be pleased with this album. It is worth to buy even if you don't understand the Polish language. It is a great prog-rock classic or at least it should be a classic.