OMEGA REDSTAR/TROMBITÁS FRÉDI ÉS A RETTENETES EMBEREK LPX 17390 (-68) MONO HUNGARY

 Budapest band first existing 1962-87, then reformed 1994. By far the most successful Hungarian outfit. Not only popular in East Europe, but also embraced by lovers of psych and prog in many other countries. Eventually they would turn to space rock and electronic, but this debute (eng. "Freddie The Trumpeter And The Terrible People") is very much psych rock and prog with some folky elements. Very well conveyed by this excellent sounding mono press with flute, organ, trumpet, strings, keyboards and lots of fuzz guitars. I also get some rythmic gaming and odd vocals. So a quite complicated concept and lyrics in Hungarian doesn't make it easier to comprehend. Maybe not the most enjoyable first listen for the fainthearted who doesn't understand the language, but if you're into this kind of music and look for something out of the ordinary it's certainly worth a spin. Full album below. To my knowledge this was only legally issued in Hungary. 2022 CD on Grund Records (GO 03) came with three bonus tracks. First vinyl (also as stereo SLPX 17390) had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (BÅC*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

                                                                                       

 

CZERWONY GITARY/SPOKÓJ SERCA XL 0734 (-71) MONO POLAND

 

 

  I think it's strange that so many collectors of psych, prog or symphnic rock neglect stuff recorded in the Eastern Bloc in the sixties and seventies. I guess some are put off by most of it sung in domestic languages, but musically it can be well up there with efforts from UK or US bands and there are true gems still out there to be found. To mention two of my favorites from there and then - the bittersweet East German "Renft"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/09/klaus-renft-comborenft-8-55-396-74-east.html  and the brutal Polish "Trzy Korony"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/04/krzystzof-klenczontrzy-korony-sxl-0779.html . Here's another Polish issue that has the ability to bring joy to any music lover.  Czerwony Gitary (The Red Guitars) was one of the most popular bands in Poland and neighbuoring countries. Formed 1965 and soon became a huge seller and popular live act. They also toured the US and recieved a special reward from Billboard Magazine. Lead guitarist and vocalist during their heydays was Krzystzov Klenczon, who left the group 1970 to form Trzy Korony (check link above). This their fifth album was recorded by the three remaining members. I get a couple of up-tempo cuts, but most of it soft folk psych with a fine blend of odd and melodic. Favotite tracks - the dreamy "Nie Jestes Cisza" (You Aren´t Quietude) and "Gdy Trudno Zasnac" (When It Is Hard To Fall Asleep) plus the soft rocker "Ucze Sie Zyc" (I Learn To Live). No clue if this mono is a separate mix, though it sounds right all the way so it might be. I may not understand Polish, but I do understand music...the universal language. Legally issued in Poland only (also as stereo SXL 0734). Reissued on CD 2003 (Muza 830988 046 2) and on clear vinyl 2021 (Muza SXL 9734). Premiere vinyl came with label as shown here in a thin glossy cover.  (BÅC*)

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                          

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                            


 

NICO/THE BLUE ANGEL SX-T 90 (-87) POLAND

 A to my taste superb Nico collection, gathering some of her absolutely best. Side one starting with two cuts from the Velvet Underground debute, followed by two from "Chelsea Girl"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/05/nicochelsea-girl-v-5032-67-us-mono.html    and one from "Desertshore". Side two lifts off with no less than four tracks from her absolutely best album "Drama Of Exile"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/08/nicodrama-of-exile-aul-715-81-sweden.html   to be concluded by the title track from the "The End" album   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/08/nicothe-end-ilps-9311-74.html   . There can be no regrets about the song choices here. She has made quite a few more or less questionable recordings through the years, but all the ones in this are done with top production and backing, showing her changing from the late sixties up to mid eighties. Apart from the Velvet Underground tracks being cut very loud - as on the originals - the audio on this Polish issue is very good to the ears. The "Drama Of Exile" cuts maybe not as powerful as on the original, but still enjoyable listening. 1985 vinyl issues in UK (Aura AUL 731), Scandinavia (Mega Rock MRLP 3024) and Greece (Music Box SMB 40304). UK 1986 CD on Aura (AUCD 731). First Polish had label as shown here in a thin matt cover with info in both English and Polish on rear.  (NÖC*)  (BÅC*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                       

                                                                                 

 

KRZYSTZOF KLENCZON/TRZY KORONY SXL 0779 (-71) POLAND

Guitarist born in Poland 1942 and died after been hit by a drunk driver in Chicago 1981. From 1962 member of pop/rock band Niebiesko-Czarny (Blue-Black), then after a couple of years moving over to Czerwone Gitary (Red Guitars), which under its German name "Rote Gitarren" also became a big hit in DDR. To my knowledge this was the only LP with his early sventies group "Trzy Korony" (Three Crowns). It's a very good psych/prog album - incorporating genre mix , rythmic gaming and unexpected turns, often drowned in lots of downright evil guitars...like the slow dark fuzz-psych orgy "Nie Przejdziemy Do Historii" (We'll Never Make History), or the howling mean intro to "10 W Skali Beauforta" (10 Degrees Beaufort). "Spotkanie Z Diablem" (Meeting With The Devil") builds on an intriguing bass riff (inspired by the guitar in Hollies "We're Through"???)...again with lots of sharp psych guitars. "Bierz Zycie Jakie Jest" (Take It As It Is) heavy hard rock and "Piosenka O Niozym" (Nonsense Song) uptempo rock relying on a fuzzed rhythm guitar. The audio on this is very good, no problems with pressing or stereo mix. Originals has also become quite rare, which makes me think. If released by some obscure anglo-saxon outfit and sung in English it would now probably have been considered a psych classic and sold for big bucks, but since sung in Polish, a language most lovers of the genres involved don't understand, you can still get it a lot cheaper. So for those who don't care about language as long as the music is tophole it could be a catch. If I bump into stuff with for me unintellgible lyrics I just hear the vocals as another instrument and problem solved. Only released on vinyl in Poland (also as mono - XL 0779). 2014 vinyl reissue (same number) came in a fold/out sleeve. 2005 CD on Underground Masters (UM 004). This saw early pressings on both blue and red labels. I see both presented as originals, but after checking other Pronit labels and considering the very thick and unflexible vinyl here I guess this red was if not first so at least early (right me if I'm wrong). It came wrapped in a thin glossy cover, some with stereo sticker on front.  (BÅC*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                          

                                                 

                                                                               

 

                                                                              

 

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG/ DEJA VU 1 13 1503 (-74) RECORD CLUB ISSUE CZECHOSLOVAKIA

 

  For more on the release please also check the US https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/02/crosby-stills-nash-youngdeja-vu-sd-7200.html and Japanese https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/07/crosby-stills-nash-youngdeja-vu-mt-2023.html issues. As always I love to find odd variations of classic albums. And this ticks most of my boxes. A Czech record club issue on yellow Supraphon label with an all exclusive sleeve design. A laminated four page fold/out with arty front and picture rear. Inside lyrics in both english and Czechish, a long introduction to the band in Czechish and a group image. The audio is just fine - both warm and direct. Coming out almost identical to the US (Presswell) variation so providing very good listening. For me this is a treasure and one of many manufactured behind the iron curtain back in the days. Not all were tophole from there and then, but quite a few stood out and well worth to be found and explored if you're in the mood for something different. Here's a link to some of my other finds from that era  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=(B%C3%85C*)&max-results=20&by-date=true .  (BÅC*)  (ZHÄ*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                   

 

THE GUN XL 0773 (-71) MONO POLAND

 Mono sibling to the Polish stereo I posted earlier - https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-gun-sxl-0773-71-poland.html . The UK mono is a fold and sounds ok but I thought this might be an improvement, like the case was with the Czech mono issue of the 2nd eponymous Blood Sweat & Tears LP, which sounded a lot better than the UK fold - https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/03/blood-sweat-tears-013-0995-71-mono.html . The differences are not that big here. As far as I can hear a tiny bit of limiting was used on the UK, but not on this which makes it come out just a little bit rawer and more open. The contrast is small, but it is there. However that may be it's a great album regardless of format or location. A lot more than just the world wide hit "Race With The Devil".  Have lots of favorites here, some of them below. Issued and reissued on vinyl and/or CD pretty much all over the world through the years, also US 8-track. EU 2010 CD on Grapefruit Records (SRSEG 015) came with four bonus tracks. First polish had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover.  (BÅC*)  (ÄHÅR*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                

                                                                         

                                                                                  

                          
                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                        


 

KLAUS RENFT-COMBO/RENFT 8 55 396 (-74) EAST GERMANY

 

When I posted the Puhdys album earlier ( https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/04/puhdys-855-404-75-east-germany.html ) I wrote - although lyrics would be censored in East Germany, the musical expression was free. As it shows in this case I was wrong and even certain styles and melodic junctures could be banned. Klaus Renft Combo was formed 1958, before the Berlin wall. After the country split they remained a popular act in the east, but always on the edge with Stasi hoovering over them. The eponymous debute came 1973 and this second album a year later became their last up to the 1990 state reunion. A while after its release they were called up to Ministry of Culture to renew the licence to play. They were informed their music was "insulting and abusive" and that the group didn't exist anymore. The album was withdrawn and the songs didn't have any further issues until the wall came down. It's such a pity. To me it remains a prog/psych gem, performed with about everything I want from the genre - beautiful melodies, odd riffs, howling psych guitars, tempo changes, cheeky rock'n'roll and jazzy interludes. I don't understand much German, but couldn't care less - the music says it all. I like it all, so it's hard to choose favs...for now it would be - "Gelbe Strassenbahnballade", "Nach Der Schlacht" and "Mama". The recording has relatively few overdubs and the audio is very fine - clear and natural. After the reunion it has been  reissued on vinyl, cassette and CD. German 2006 CD on Unionton (8031-2) came with three bonus tracks. First DDR press had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (BÅC*) (GÖXÄ*) (ÄMY*) 

 

THE BEATLES 8 50 962 (-83) MONO EAST GERMANY

 

 A compilation uniqe to East Germany with two separate issues. First one in the sixties (8 50 040) on old style red/white label and slightly different sleeve design - front pic with the boys against an all green background instead of the park one shown on this and partly other fonts. The twelve track choice there was quite ordinary - a couple of hits mixed with album cuts. That is rarer and considered more collectible, but to me this -83 version is far more interesting. It has eighteen tracks, same as the first plus six, whereof four are from the Polydor sessions - "Cry For A Shadow", "Ain't She Sweet", "Why" and "Sweet Georgia Brown". As far as I know it's the only legit Beatles vinyl blending Polydor and Parlophone stuff on the same album. One can always argue what's legit or not or what was actually approved by the mother labels. Still this was a domestic issue, made by a big European record company and sold in regular shops, which makes it legit to me. The audio is fine, maybe not totally up there with the UK originals, but very enjoyable as it is. I suppose this is an early press with label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (BÄ*) (BÅC*)(PÖP*) (GÖXÄ*) (ÄMY*) (LGÅ*) 

 

                                                                                

PAUL McCARTNEY UND WINGS 855 785 (-81) EAST GERMANY

 

For some reason East European pre-glasnost issues are mosty not considered very collectible and when they show up you can get them relatively cheap. I don't understand that. The originals are getting rarer with time and with a little luck you can get either very good releases by domestic bands or exclusive ones from UK or US acts, not possible to find anywhere else.  This is an example. A DDR McCartney compilation that, at least to my taste, remains one of the better.  Twelve tracks dating from1970-80, ones that were 45 only back then  coupled with many LP favorites. "Mull Of Kintyre", "Another Day" and "Maybe I'm Amazed" were some of the best singles of their times and to get those together with "Getting Closer", "Band On The Run", "My Love", "With A Little Luck" and the others at least makes my day. Only one personal reservation - if they'd choosed "Arrow Through Me" instead of "Coming Up" it would have been consummated. The audio is very good offering enjoyable listening and the sleeve design exclusive enough. So if You're a Macca fan and happen to find it to a reasonable price...don't hesitate.  I guess this was the only issue, also on AMIGA cassette (055 785). Vinyl had label as shown here in a very thin glossy cover.  (BÄ*)  MÄCC*)  (BÅC*)  (ÄMY*)  (GÖXÄ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                            

                                                                           

                                                                                               

 

 

JIMI HENDRIX/THE CRY OF LOVE LPV 5763 (-71) YUGOSLAVIA

 

 Commonly categorized as a posthumous album. But even if Hendrix himself passed away during the recordings and some of the tracks were post-prepared by engineer Eddie Kramer, manager Michael Jeffrey and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the whole thing got so much of that familiar Hendrix guitar magic and his special vocals I wanna believe it's very close to what he wanted it to be. And even if two of the cuts originally planned for the album - "Dolly Dagger" and "Room Full Of Mirrors" (later on Rainbow Bridge    https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/10/jimi-hendrixrainbow-bridge-k-44159-71-uk.html  ) -  were removed and replaced by "Straight Ahead" and "My Friend", those substitutes works so well it's more than enough to canonize it as a true masterpiece. I dig it all through with both smiles and goosebumps. My never ending hunt for delectable vinyl audio with a mostly thin wallet sometimes takes me to unexpected places. Like the Yugoslavian release of this LP, which in my world turned out to be a real gem. The pressing is immaculate with seemingly very little use of compression or limiting. Loud, yet clear and well separated with lots of presence. Reminding me of UK 1st press "Ladyland" with the same kind of bouncy bass and sharp guitars. So a kind of "loud cut", hard hitting and offensive. Maybe not for those who wish music like this to be soft and caressing, but if you're like me and want close and natural with as little meddling as possible, this comes recommended. Got non of the common originals to compare with at the moment, but doubt any of those could please me much more. First (only?) Yugoslavian issue had label as shown here on thick unflexible vinyl in a thin fully laminated cover. (JHÄ*) (BÅC*) 

                                                                                            

                                                                              

                                                                                       

                                                                  

PAUL MCCARTNEY/CHOBA B CCCP A60 00415 006 (-89) USSR

 

  After the, to my taste, rather bad synth splotched "Press To Play" this felt as a breath of fresh air (eng title  - "Back In The USSR"). An album recorded live in the studio during two days in Sussex, July 1987.  Apparently he wasn't sure how to release it at first, so the original idea was to make a fake Soviet release, seemingly smuggled to UK.  But after EMI cancelled those plans they got contact with the actual Soviet Melodiya label and an agreement that it was to be pressed and released there exclusively. First batch came 1988 as an eleven-track with red label and yellow rear. The one shown here is the second press which added the songs "Summertime" and "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday", making it a thirteen-track.  In my world this has about everything going for it.  A kind of garage recording where McCartney and players like Mick Green (The Pirates, Dakotas, Rebel Riousers), Mick Gallagher (Ian Dury, Clash), Nick Garvey (Ducks Deluxe, Motors) and a couple of studio musicians cover old favorite rock songs. And they emulate the atmosphere of a an older recording perfectly. If it wasn't for the partly very mean guitars it could as well have been cut 1959. Right on and 100% honest carried by unembellished audio make it sound authentic, like they were here. Don't think this can disappoint any lover of classic rock, or fan of McCartney. Favorite tracks - "Kansas City" and "Lucille".  From 1991 and on also released in the rest of the world on vinyl, CD and cassette. UK lim. ed. CD box set (Parlophone CDPCSD 117) came with one more bonus track.  (BÅC*)  (MÄCC*)  (BÄ*)