Albion Neo

Albion recorded their first song, "Scarecrow," in 1993 and it was a big hit on Radio Krakow. In 1995, the CD Survival Games was released by Mellow Records (Italy) and consists of neo-progressive rock songs with English lyrics, female vocals, and guitar parts very comparable to Steve Rothery's Marillion work. Later, the band re-recorded the CD plus three new tracks with Polish vocals. The female vocals gave the band their own style but their music sometimes also sounds like Marillion and Jadis.

Harold Budd's discs tend to end up in the new age section of the record store, because his music is generally pleasant, quiet, and soothing. But where most new age composers go for the obvious (and sometimes saccharine) melody, Budd veers off into ambiguity; he also lacks the mystical bent that often goes along with the new age style. Instead, his compositional voice is more like that of a detached observer – one who creates beauty without getting too involved with it. By the Dawn's Early Light finds Budd writing for various combinations of viola, guitar, harp, and keyboards. All of the music is lovely, but not all of the compositions sound complete. In several cases, they sound like raw ideas rushed into the studio before their time. Guitarist Bill Nelson provides much of the interest throughout the album, and the sighing, slithery viola of Mabel Wong lends an occasional turn-of-the-century salon feel to the proceedings. The only really embarrassing moments occur when Budd – whose voice sounds like an unfortunate cross between Garrison Keillor and Kermit the Frog – reads his own poetry. Skip those tracks and you'll be fine.

Six years after The Indefinite State Of Matter (2012) polish prog rocker Albion is back. This time with a totally different line up. Founder member Krzysztof Malec (keyboards) is gone and so is the superb singer Katarzyna Sobkowicz-Malec. Thus making guitarist Jurek Antczak the only member to play on all Albions records so far. But instead of a whole new personnel, Antczak decided to recall several ex members to reform the group: so original singer Anna Batko is back to the fold (she sang on their first two releases). Another original member, bassist Paweł Konieczny also joined in and once official drummer Rafał Paszcz (who played on 2005´s Wabiac and 2007´s Broken Hopes) completes the "new" Albion. Guitarist Antczak handles all the keyboards duties here…

Jerzy Antczak has made a name for himself as long-time Polish neo-prog band Albion's lead guitarist. This is Jerzy's first solo outing. Still very much in the neo mode, there is also some electronic intentions that push his first solo effort into the crossover genre. The music on "Ego, Georgius" is a blend of exotic Eastern sounds, cosmic themes and lots of guitar hooks, riffs, solos and melodies. Aided by some Albion friends as well as Krzystof Wywra on bass from Millenium, the album really shines on multiple levels, very eclectic and cinematographic.

Another interesting and modern progressive rock band hailing from Poland, Lizard were found in 1990 and spent the first six years of their existence on live performances, while they also recorded a demo tape.In 1997 they recorded an interesting debut named ''W Galerii Czasu'' with main influences being E.L.P. and King Crimson. Almost seven years passed before the band released their sophomore work at the dawn of 2004, entitled ''Psychopuls''. This time their sound seems heavier and less polished, but the musicianship remains at a top level. As the name of the band indicates, Lizard are much inspired by King Crimson, especially by their ''Red''-era phase…