Klan - Mrowisko, Ant Colony (VINYL)

Klan
Mrowisko

Label: Polskie Nagrania - Muza ,  2009 (1974)
Catalogue No:  SXL 0756
Format: VINYL (12", 33 rpm)
Condition: Brant New, Mint Condition

Side A

1. Sen (3:17)
2. Kuszenie (3:29)
3. Nerwy miast (3:31)
4. Senne wedrowki (3:52)
5. Taniec wariatki (2:02)
6. Taniec czterech (1:37)
7. Na przekor (2:16)
8. Nasze mysli (5:10)

Side B

1. Mrowisko (4:15)
2. Pejzaz z pustych ram (4:31)
3. Taniec glodnego (2:24)
4. Epidemia euforii (3:46)
5. Sen (1:49)

Line-up/Musicians:
Marek Alaszewski / guitar, vocals
Maciej Gluszkiewicz / acoustic piano, organ
Roman Pawelski / guitar, bass
Andrzej Poniatowski / drums, vocal

Recorded:
March 1971, Poland

About:
KLAN were a Warsaw fusion quartet born in 1969 and headed by guitarist/vocalist Marek Allaszewski. His mates were keyboard player Maciej Gluszkiewicz, bassist Roman Pawelski and drummer Andrzej Poniatowski. Their music had a remarkably mature psychedelic sound for a band from an Eastern-Block country in the early 70’s – somewhat in the vein of VANILLA FUDGE albeit slightly less heavy and more melodic.

After releasing a self-titled E.P. in 1970, lyricist Marian Skolarski joined the band and composed a ballet called “Mrowisko”, their best release to date. It is a majestic, flowing psychedelic concept with a very underground feel, full acid leads and fuzz-guitar solos, some violin and some jazzy parts. The songs are well constructed (vocals are in Polish) and the musicianship is quite good. Both the LP and the EP are now collectable items but have thankfully been reissued on a single CD in 2000. In 1993, Allaszewski reformed KLAN who released an album called “Po Co Mi Ten Raj”. Perhaps due to the time lapse, it doesn’t quite have the punch of the amazing “Mrowisko”.

Fans of early psych prog will be amazed at the maturity of this band’s early material.

Review:
This is a really great album. A pity that the group didn't last long. "Mrowisko" ("Ant Colony") is a kind of "concept album" and there are no breaks between most of the tracks. Music here is inspired somehow by Vanilla Fudge, but it has a touch of acoustic playing, although Hammond is dominating here. A vocalist has a very specific, somehow theatrical way of singing (perhaps a little annoying for some listeners). Production is not very good, so the album's sound is a bit archaic - but it doesn't spoil it. Highly recommended. (kajetan)

text and review courtesy of progarchivesdotcom