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Polska Radio One - 2020 - "Live in Oxygen Studio, 2015"

(33:21; Trail Records)


*****

Russian band POLSKA RADIO ONE were active from sometime around 2012 until 2015, and since then the members have moved on to other projects. They released 4 EPs in those years, as well as one studio album. This year one of the final excursions of the band have been released retrospectively, a live in studio recording dating back to 2015. While the quality of these recordings occasionally documents that they perhaps weren't originally intended to be released, first and foremost due to a couple of instances of fluctuating volume levels, this live in studio production showcases a band that do know their way around compelling moods and atmospheres. As long as psychedelic and subtly cosmic soundscapes with what appears to be an improvised approach is to your liking. The guitars and various forms of tangents and electronic devices take turns in providing the psychedelic and expressive elements, with the bass guitar also given some freedom in this context - in between maintaining momentum along with the drums. The main characteristics are various aspects of psychedelic guitar soloing and guitar effects, with organ, floating keyboard textures and drones supplementing and alternating as the dominant instrument. Some fine excursions all along, with the more krautrock oriented 'Kraut' and the cosmic reggae of 'Piton-Dub' as some of my personal highlights. "Live in Oxygen Studio, 2015" isn't a smooth, finely polished creation by any means, but those who are attracted to the charms of live, instrumental and what appears to be mainly improvised psychedelic rock with slight cosmic elements, played out in an honest and unpolished manner, should find this little gem of an archival production quite the rewarding experience.

Progmessor: November 2020 2020


Related Links:

Polska Radio One Trail Records


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