Jakko – Silesia [LP] (1982, Chiswick Records)

'Silesia' was meant to introduce the wider world to guitarist, singer and songwriter Jakko M. Jakszyk, then recording simply as Jakko. Born Michael Lee Curran in London and adopted as a child by a Polish family, Jakszyk had already built a reputation on the British underground scene through his work with the cult band 64 Spoons and collaborations with keyboard player Dave Stewart. At the time he was still searching for his own musical identity, and 'Silesia' captures that moment perfectly, blending art rock, sophisticated pop, new wave and progressive influences into a record that never quite fits neatly into a single category.

 
The album was recorded after Jakko signed with Chiswick Records, one of the UK's most respected independent labels. Founded in 1975, Chiswick had earned its reputation by releasing records from pub rock, punk and new wave artists including Motörhead, The Damned and The 101'ers, while also giving opportunities to musicians who didn't fit the mainstream mould. By the early 1980s the label was broadening its catalogue, and Jakko's polished, adventurous songwriting was a natural addition, even if it stood apart from the harder-edged acts Chiswick was best known for. 

The songs on 'Silesia' are full of memorable melodies wrapped in inventive arrangements. Tracks such as "Grab What You Can", "Straining Our Eyes" and the title track combine crisp guitar work with keyboards, layered vocals and a distinctly British sense of melancholy. The sessions also featured contributions from musicians including Dave Stewart, David Jackson of Van der Graaf Generator and vocalist Amanda Parsons, adding another layer of depth and character to the recordings without taking the spotlight away from Jakko's songwriting. 

Although three singles were released to promote the album in 1982, 'Silesia' never enjoyed the exposure it deserved. Chiswick's financial difficulties limited its distribution, and the LP ended up being issued only in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands rather than receiving a full UK release. As a result, it quickly became one of those elusive records that collectors were always on the lookout for. Unlike many overlooked albums from the period, 'Silesia' has never been officially reissued on either CD or vinyl, making original pressings from those three European countries especially desirable. 

Today, 'Silesia' stands as an important early chapter in Jakko's long career. Long before joining King Crimson and becoming known to progressive rock audiences around the world, he had already demonstrated an impressive gift for combining intelligent songwriting with adventurous musicianship. The album remains one of the hidden treasures of the early 1980s British scene, revealing an artist whose talents were evident from the very beginning. 

 

Label: Chiswick Records – 0067.082 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: Germany 

Released: 1982 

Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave, Synth-pop, Jazz-Funk, Progressive Rock

 

Tracklist:  

A1 I'll Stand On My Own 2:52 

A2 Grab What You Can (Biez Co Mozesz) 5:13 

A3 Something In The Mirror 3:16 

A4 If It Should Be Today 4:04 

A5 Straining Our Eyes 5:06 

B1 One More Time 3:09 

B2 This Is Me 4:17 

B3 Mills And Boone 3:03 

B4 Tell Me Where To Run To 3:45 

B5 Silesia 1:19 

B6 Ingmar Bergman On The Windowsill 4:02 

 

Other versions: 

'Silesia' (LP, Album) Chiswick Records [CWKL 3021] (Italy, 1982)

'Silesia' (LP, Album) Chiswick Records [TOSS-3630] (Netherlands, 1982)

 

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