Kalemegdan Disk - ROCK FROM EASTERN EUROPE

Containing the album Niemen (Muza SXL 0710/11)

Warner Music Poland Release Information

Referred to as the “Red Album”, Czesław Niemen’s fifth studio album, the second recorded with the band Enigmatic, and the first double album of popular music released in Poland is considered to be the most rock-oriented one in his career. Featuring a characteristic portrait of the artist on the cover, it became a kind of “pop culture icon”.

The album was was recorded in late 1970 and early 1971, and released in March 1971. The recording featured Jacek Mikuła (Hammond organ), Tomasz Jaśkiewicz (guitar), Janusz Zieliński (bass guitar), Czesław “Mały’ Bartkowski” (drums), and the musicians were accompanied by a vocal trio consisting of Krystyna Prońko, Zofia Borca and Elżbieta Linkowska.

During the recording of the second LP, in January 1971, there were some changes in the line-up of the band: the vocal trio was replaced by the Partita group, and in most recordings, Janusz Stefański plays the drums. Zbigniew Namysłowski also made a guest appearance, playing flute to his own composition “Sprzedaj mnie wiatrowi” (Sell Me to the Wind).

Czesław Niemen again reached for the poetry of Cyprian Kamil Norwid: “Aerumnarum plenus” and “Italiam, Italiam”. The album starts with the unforgettable “Człowiek jam niewdzięczny” (I Am an Ungrateful Man) with lyrics by Niemen himself.

The album was prepared in collaboration with the Czesław Niemen Foundation. The recordings were remastered and restored by Eleonora Atalay, Czesław Niemen’s daughter.

Tracklist

CD 1

1. Człowiek jam niewdzięczny 20:39
2. Aerumnarum plenus 7:42
3. Italiam, Italiam 5:03
4. Enigmatyczne impresje 7:25

CD 2

1. Nie jesteś moja 8:32
2. Wróć jeszcze dziś 3:52
3. Mój pejzaż 5:17
4. Sprzedaj mnie wiatrowi 4:34
5. Zechcesz mnie zechcesz 3:51
6. Chwila ciszy 5:02
7. Muzyko moja 3:54