BLUE TRANCE

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.

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