Michal Urbaniak's Fusion – Smiles Ahead (Vinyl LP | DE Original | 1977)

Michal Urbaniak's Fusion – Smiles Ahead is an album by Polish violinist Michał Urbaniak, released in 1977 on the German label MPS (68.165 / MPS 15499) and produced by Joachim-Ernst Berendt. Most of it was recorded in November 1976 at Tonstudio Zuckerfabrik in Stuttgart, with Piece For 15 Strings and Autobahn cut in January 1977 at Dick Charles Studio in New York. Urbaniak plays violin and Lyricon, his wife Urszula Dudziak adds voice and electronic percussion, and US players such as Steve Jordan, Joe Caro and Emmett Chapman on Chapman Stick complete the band. This copy is the 1977 German original pressing.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: MPS Records 68.165 / MPS 15499
• Format: Vinyl LP, Album
• Pressing: DE original
• Country: Germany
• Year of this pressing: 1977
• Genre: Jazz, Fusion, Jazz-Rock

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: VG+
• Cover: VG+

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale (SKU SH SA1).

Tracklist

Side A

1. Smiles Ahead / From Smiles To Smiles / More Smiles Forever
2. Hymn Of The Uranian Sequels
3. Piece For 15 Strings

Side B

1. In The Wake Of Awakening
2. Aflatus
3. Schwarzwald Vibes
4. Sunday Melody
5. Autobahn

Personnel

Michał Urbaniak (violin, Lyricon), Urszula Dudziak (voice, electronic percussion), Harold "Ivory" Williams (keyboards), Joe Caro (guitar), Basil Fearrington, R. Anthony Bunn (bass), Emmett Chapman (Chapman Stick), Steve Jordan (drums), Sonship Theus (drums, percussion, voice).

Produced by Joachim-Ernst Berendt; engineers: Chips Platen, Gene Paul, Les Paul Jr.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
Yes, it is the 1977 German first edition on MPS Records with catalogue numbers 68.165 and MPS 15499.

What is a Lyricon?
The Lyricon is an early electronic wind instrument played like a saxophone that drives a synthesizer. Urbaniak uses it here alongside his violin.

What does Media VG+ / Cover VG+ mean?
VG+ (Very Good Plus) means both record and sleeve show light wear. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more Michał Urbaniak records?
Right now this is the only title by him in stock. Similar records are in our Fusion and Jazz collections.