Translation by Horia Diaconescu
The Post Scriptum LP, belonging to the band with the same name, represents one of the most successful discographic releases in the Romanian scene. Carefully crafted, unitary in arrangements and with skilled instrument players, the album presents elements of rock, jazz, blues united under a peculiar sound. The compositions of this release are built around refinement and discretion, while the spectacular side is tempered. In other others, such an album should be discovered (by the music lover used to a more straight rock language), and that could only happen through attentive listening.
Those who represent Post Scriptum are: Doru Apreotesei – keyboard, voice; Mircea Marcovici – bass, voice; Mihai Farcas – drums; Tiberiu Ladner – percussion, voice; Toni Kuhn – guitar, voice; Emil Zoltan – saxophone, voice. The names mentioned above could also be found in other important configurations of Romanian music.
Reffering to their homonymous album, this one opens with “Cantec de inceput” (1) (translation: “A song to start with”) – a theme used by numerous Romanian bands in order to introduce the releases they had the chance to do. A certain melodicity is prevalent, and the song as a whole represents an invitation for what is about to come. The musical complexity announces we’re about to encounter several worth listening moments. The only element that could be considered less interesting is, as on the entire material, the vocal line, executed no more than “correct”, on a score that otherwise matches the composition.
“Daca intr-o zi…” (2) brings forth elements of jazz-blues, but also dixie and last but not least rock music. Several musical procedures to be developed later are announced through this song. Nothing is impossible for Post Scriptum, everything being conceived under the sign of artistic value and discretion.
“Un cantec vesnic nou” (3) is a truly progressive song. Instrumentally, this is definitely an international level composition and the guitar solo could stir the attention of any serious guitar player.
“Lumina si ecou” (4) is built on a latino-jazz rock rhythm. Instrumentation and melodic line carry a special artistic and emotional soubtlety, and the entire song is capable to bring surprises to the listener.
“Gand bun” (5) is situated on funky coordinates. Bass, keyboards and saxophone alternate each other in outstanding solos on a composition that it’s more than just a simple pretext for improvisation.
“Joc the cuvinte” (6) is an authentic rock-jazz moment. Starting with the arrangements, the tone selection of instruments, the vocal cohesion and interference, and ending with the overal vision, everything is conceived remarkably.
“Bufonul zburator” (7) starts from a standard blues theme switching to a blues-rock moment with jazz emphasis. An overwhelming guitar solo enriches the composition in one of the most “rock” tones of Romanian music.
“Mireasma noptii” (8) reminds, musically speaking, of a late hippie hymn, with slight progressive touches. A slow song with nothing less interesting than those from the West (far away back then).
“Noul vodevil” (9) is a jazz rock song, linking funky and dixie through prog.
“Din nou P.S.” (10) represents another atmospheric progressive creation. An instrumental composition with a strong meditative aura.
As a conclusion, it is difficult to assort this album with a chapter of Romanian music, especially because the fusion of rock and jazz did not know a great diversity as far as the releases are concerned. The musical material from Post scriptum is closer to rock than jazz, but still, it is pretty distant from standard rock ways experienced and known in the country.
In a cultural exchange with one of our collaborators from Poland, we sent him (and also received from him) several dozen albums that we considered representative to the course of local music. Living in a country with strong jazz traditions and a better developed rock scene (at least back then), our Polish partner appreciated better Post Scriptum, than Phoenix or Sfinx.
Song translations:
Cantec de inceput – A song to start with
Daca intr-o zi… – If, someday…
Un cantec vesnic nou – A song always new
Lumina si ecou – Light and echo
Gand bun – Pure thought
Joc de cuvinte – Playing with words
Bufonul zburator – The flying buffoon
Mireasma notpii – Scent of night
Noul vodevil – The new vaudevile Din nou P.S. – Again, P.S.
10 Februarie 2005
Adrian Barbulescu (adrianb @ npcc.ae)
(no english translation for this opinion)
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Versiunea romaneasca
