F. S. B. (Formation Studio Balkanton)

•  дискография
•  участие в альбомах
•  Bulgaria Rock, Progressive Rock, World music

Long before it became another in the long line of abbreviations denoting a certain Russian intelligence agency, FSB stood for Formation Studio Balkanton, one of the few Bulgarian progressive rock bands to record albums in the 1970s (actually, one of the few recording rock bands in the country that at the time was far from tolerant towards the whole idiom). On their debut, Non Stop (UBP International UBP-023), the band included a bassist, two drummers, two percussionists, a saxophone player and two keyboard players operating an impressive arsenal of pianos, synthesizers and Mellotrons (though not quite as impressive as the cover would suggest).

"Dynamic" and "Intermezzo" are the album's prime cuts, swaying and swooping brilliantly between the opposite poles of dense fusion beats and colourful keyboard symphonics. "Ten Years After" and "My Town" are more accessible ballads, with piano, acoustic guitar and vocals supported by sumptuous keyboard arrangements, sweet and catchy without being cloy or calculating.

The title "Power and the Glory" and several suspiciously familiar riffs heard on it inevitably lead one to think about a certain non-aggressive, vertically well-endowed chappie, and suspicion proves correct when "Free Hands" and "Reflection" erupt from the speakers, as they are unmistakably instrumental (apart from wordless vocals) adaptations of Gentle Giant's "Free Hand" and "I Lost My Head". Slightly simplified but quite spirited, these adaptations are fun to listen to, but I wonder why the band included them, and, as there are no writing credits on the CD, whether the composers received any royalty from these versions. Actually, it seems that "Intermezzo" is also a cover version, of a song from Patrick Moraz' The Story of i album, and some of the others may also be so; however, I don't know that album well enough to tell.

Overall, though, Non Stop is stylistically bit of a mixed bag and at 33 minutes a small bag as well, but the tunefulness of the material and the stylish use of vintage synthesizers make it a compelling listen. Very nice and pleasant as long as you don't expect anything earth shattering. — Kai Karmanheimo.