POP WORKSHOP – Vol. 1 (Grammofonverket, 1973) / Songs of the Pterodactyl (Grammofonverket, 1974) / WLODEK GULGOWSKI – Soundcheck (Polydor, 1976)

A super group of sorts including Jan Schaffer, Wlodek Gulgowski, Ola Brunkert, Stefan Brolund, and on ”Songs of the Pterodactyl” drummer Tony Williams of Miles Davis and Lifetime fame. Just by reading those names you should get a clear idea of what the music's like, funky fusion permeated by technical talent. Which it is. 

POP WORKSHOP  – Vol. 1 (Grammofonverket, 1973)

Instrumental 

International relevance: ***

”Vol. 1” is a heavier and proggier album than expected though with some riveting guitar work from Schaffer. The powerful ”Perforated Mind” should appeal to Zappa heads while Magma fans ought to be delighted by ”Equinox”, but ”Vol. 1” is a solid affair way too good to be held hostage by the fusion crowd!

POP WORKSOP – Songs of the Pterodactyl (Grammofonverket, 1974)

Instrumental

International relevance: ***

”Songs of the Pterodactyl” is good too, almost great but lacks some of the debut's freshness, as if they tried to consciously repeat the quirky angularity of their first album. Everything is in the right place with thorough compositions by Gulgowski and his Polish countryman Zbigniew Namysłowski, but it doesn't thrill quite as much as ”Vol. 1”. Still a fine effort though, with fantastic cover art by Swedish horror painter Hans Arnold.

 WLODEK GULGOWSKI – Soundcheck (Polydor, 1976)

International relevance: ***

Instrumental

Wlodek Gulgowski had two albums of his own out in the 70's, although the first one he made was co-credited to Rory Vincent, ”Dream World”, so ”Soundcheck” is technically his first to count as a solo album. Unfortunately it's a very disappointing album coming after the two he did with Pop Workshop. It's full of slick fusion, very polished and not dissimilar to some of the weaker funky library albums that have gained collectors' interest in recent year.

Both Pop Workshop albums cry out for a reissue but ”Soundcheck” is definitely one to pass on.

Vol 1 full album playlist
Songs of the Pterodactyl full album playlist
Soundcheck full album