Collage Moonshine

This prematurely extinct Neo-Prog band from Poland was not only the most important band from this country in the 90's; It figures among the best Neo Prog bands in the world. Blending heavy keyboard background with extremely melodical guitar and vocals, they were able to deliver an original and very interesting music. Intricate tempo changes differentiate this band from the competition amongst their style, with vocals in Polish and English depending on the album. This remastered re-edition of the Collage album from 1994 is considered by many to be of equal quality to Genesis or Yes releases. Its an amazing, dream-like climate, with both sadness and joy. It contains perfect solos and elaborated, outstanding melodic lines.

This CD contains previously released versions of early tracks by Basnie and Moonshine and gives the listener an idea of the musical evolution of the band since their beginning in 1985 at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, with the track "Nocy Zamyslona" or the vibration of the unreleased track "38/39." Although sometimes the recording quality is not so good (the '80s-era tracks), some material is of good quality indeed (the '90s-era tracks). For fans of Collage, this CD contains good material from their initial career, making this work as a very worthy document and a rare CD.

Collage is a Polish progressive rock band formed in 1985. The original lineup of the group was Mirek Gil (guitars), Wojtek Szadkowski (drums), Jarek Wajk (vocals), Jurek Barczuk (guitar), Przemek Zawadzki (bass), Pawel Zajaczkowski (keys), and Ania Milewska (keys). Eventually Wajk left the group, being replaced by Jarek Majka. Majka also did not stay very long, though, being replaced by Tomek Rozycki. Rozycki was the singer for the group when they recorded their first album, Basnie, in 1990. After recording the album, but prior to the tour, Rozycki left the group. They recruited Zbyszek Bieniak to replace him. In the never-ending game of musical chairs of vocalists, Bieniak left just two years later.

Satellite's forerunner band, Collage, issued a true masterpiece in the mid-90's called Moonshine, which left most if not all critics worldwide unanimously enthused. It was a feat not to be repeated until 2003, when most members of Collage reformed under the name Satellite and gave birth to a debut disc of great songs with gorgeous instrumentation and production (Now, Fight, On the Run). The lead orbiter around whom all seems to revolve is Wojtek Szadkowski's songwriting and playing. One of the main reasons "Moonshine" had such an impact was due to his pen and his sticks, keeping everything dramaticand breathtaking. Barely a year after "A Street..", Satellite goes for the jugular with an even more stunning work, a tad less accessible than their debut disc, with a more pronounced symphonic edge and deeper presence.

BELIEVE is the project of former COLLAGE guitarist Mirek Gil, who together with Tomek Rozcki (vocals, guitars), Adam Milosz (keyboards, hidden harmonies), Przemas Zawadzki (bass), Vlodi Tafel (drums), Satomi (violin), and Robert Sieradzki (lyrics, vocals) create a rather unique form of Neo Progressive Rock. Mixing the often melancholic Neo-Prog shown on COLLAGE's "Moonshine" with a bit more of a harder, metal edge, BELIEVE form an intriguing style of experimental and unconventional progressive rock.