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Dzierzynski Bitz - I II III

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Western ears might have a little trouble getting a handle on Dzierzynski Bitz's music because it's a likely a combination of elements most have never experienced before. It's described as a combination of Polish pre-war music and English new wave. Just what the heck is that? Answer: something entirely new for you, probably.

One can hear the new wave influence from the get-go with "Sledi Za Vsem," which comes off a little like the B-52s, only with a male vocal. That male vocal, by the way, is provided by Wojciech Dzierzynski, who has quite the range. On the track "�en�čina," for instance, Dzierzynski sings with a smooth, nearly Bryan Ferry-esque voice over a shuffling jazz groove colored by both Theremin and accordion. Obviously, when you read 'Theremin and accordion' in the same sentence, describing the same song, you know right away you're dealing with a group that's willing to throw out all the rules.

"Kapitan," however, is far less exotic as it rocks to a kind of The Police groove, with a bit of spy music like mystery running through it for good measure. However, even here a little strangeness is thrown for the heck of it. The act also adds Farfisa organ into its mix, which gives the tune a 60s throwback quality.

Lest it be said that all Dzierzynski Bitz can do is create odd musical combination platters, the group also gives us something like "Minuty," which is more on the gentle side of the sonic spectrum. For it, Dzierzynski's voice takes on a much softer tone, which is placed over a quiet drum rhythm and jazzy guitar chords. Along the way, there is even a mournful saxophone solo that blows in like a welcome afternoon breeze.

The album is also not just a guitar-centric piece. Listen to the way singer/songwriter-like piano leads the way during "Palćy." This gives the tune a kind of 60s mellow pop-rock feel that distinctly separates it from everything that comes before it.

Certainly, much of what Dzierzynski Bitz has created here will sound quite exotic to Western ears. Dzierzynski's voice may send off red flags (no pun intended) almost immediately, as most American radio listeners rarely get the chance to hear men from Slovakia sing pop songs. However, once the strangeness wears off, much of what this music has in common with Western sounds starts to show through. Eventually, these songs will begin to get under your skin the way all great pop eventually does. Therefore, do yourself a favor and give it a chance to do its thing. It's a decision you won't regret.


Dzierzynski Bitz - I II III
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