BLUE TRANCE

A fine Experience

Nearly 2 years after the release of "The Iron Curtain", SBB return with this collection of eleven intriguingly named tracks (thirteen if you go for the limited edition digipak version, the two additional tracks being placed at appropriate points within the set, rather than simply appended). The current trio, which has been together since "The rock" in 2007, remains as stoic as ever, new boy Gabor Nemeth now being firmly installed alongside founders Jozef Skrzek and Antymos Apostolis.

It should be said straight off, that there should be no concern about the trance references in the title, the word is used in the traditional sense and does not imply a move into dance or disco! Indeed, the opening "Etuda Trance" takes us back to the glorious days of prog in the early 70's, the cathedral organ and melodic synths being reminiscent of Camel ("Aristillus"/ "Song Within a Song") and PFM ("Celebration").

Unlike other recent SBB albums, here the lyrics are predominantly in the band's native Polish, the only track in English being "Red Joe". That track, which is an apparent tribute to Jimi Hendrix (the lyrics even include a "Hey Joe"), is somewhat bluesier and informal than we are used to from SBB. Anthimos takes the opportunity to pay his own respects to Hendrix with some fine guitar work.

About half the tracks are instrumentals, although "Święto dioni" includes vocalisation which actually sounds like a guide vocal for an unfinished track. On "Szczęście jak na dłoni", Skrzek delivers one of his finest and most emotional performances, the track being one of the album's highlights.

The closing "Coda trance" is an ELP like stately instrumental with flying synth sounds over choral keyboards. As the track develops, Skrzek moves towards Rick Wakeman for his inspiration, with overt monophonic synth giving a wonderfully retro feel.

Overall, this is a somewhat lighter album than its predecessors, with generally shorter tracks and less in the way of lengthy instrumentals or improvisations. The songs tend to be left as just that, songs, rather than being developed into multi-part suites. Those who recall SBB as primarily a jazz rock/fusion ensemble may baulk at this, but those who have followed their recent progress will appreciate that this is simply a natural development of their style.

Album's opener is symphonic prog instrumental, heavy on keyboards (as all album). S.B.B. in 2010 is far not the same jazz-rock band they were in their very early tears, and even not symphonic band of a bit later period. Opener sounds more as it came from 80-s, but at the same time it has something inside from that legendary S.B.B. from my teens...

All trio's album is well played and well produced. Songs are short and well structured, and sound mostly as a bit vintage music, mixing traditional Polish pop-rock with blues-rock, symphonic rock and art-rock elements. Band for years isn't on the edge of musical fashion (doesn't matter prog or any other). They play melodic classic rock compositions with many elements they learned still in 70-s.

And it works - in fact the album, which possibly should sound as pure vintage nostalgia, in real life contains music could be still enough fresh and enjoying. Living Polish and all E.European prog legend still can play good music. Not innovative, experimental, but just a good music. Without trying to be more modern, that they are.

Good album for band's fans. Far not the best entry for newcomers,trying to hear a legendary band - start from their early 70-s releases, but very competent album, many fans of melodic prog rock will enjoy it.

Polish act SBB has been actively releasing material since the first half of the 70's, and has gone from being veterans to becoming an institution in their home country. The band has had its breaks along the way, but for the last decade or so they have been a vital force in their native art rock scene. "Blue Trance" is their most recent studio effort, and was released by the Polish label Metal Mind towards the end of 2010.

A few art rock tinged exceptions aside, what SBB offers up with "Blue Trance" is a slice of high quality craftsmanship in the melodic rock department, sophisticated soft rock a description that should describe the contents in an easily understandable manner. A CD to pick up if you enjoy timeless classics of the kind classic rock oriented radio stations prefer to fill the airwaves with; more advanced musically, but adhering to that style of music to a much greater extent than progressive rock per se.

Diverse, or directionless? Big question.

At this point the band bears little semblance to the approach that made them famous nearly four decades earlier. It's fair to say that as musicians they've matured considerably The style however has changed quite markedly/. Not for the worse, only different.

What's on offer here is an absolute mixed bag of goodies - and a bit of an eye opener. Starting with a pleasant, organ driven symphonic piece, followed by an almost mediaeval track is in stark contrast with the title track. "Blue Trance" is like ZZ Top doing Arena Rock. Not bad at all, but the point is?

Then, we get to some tracks in the Jazz-Rock vein, reminiscent of Pat Metheny's approach. This is where Skrzek delivers his most refined keyboard runs in living memory. Fluid, yet relaxed improvisations rarely encountered before.

Apostolis also excels on guitar, focusing on sound in place of speed. These (incl. the bonus tracks) are the highlights of the album. Drummer, Gabor Nemeth, who is a seasoned musician of the Hungarian Rock scene complements the works with ease. More of a hired hand than a devotee of SBB's music, he plays with extreme precision.

This album is full of surprises, some of which are very welcome. Curiously, the excellent bonus tracks lift the game for me. Without them I would have had to round my rating down by one point.