Wax in the Attic: Henryk Debich – City 1978

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Henryk Debich - a legendary Polish conductor and composer. Debich was co-founder and since 1952 the conductor and artistic director, of The Entertainment Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television in Lodz. Being a multi-annual music director, conductor and juror at festivals in Opole, Sopot, Kolobrzeg and Zielona Gora. He was the second conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra (1956-1958), and together with its ensembles, recorded music for over 20 films and released more than 50 Lp’s throughout its brilliant career!

In the mid-1970s, the Łódź Polish Radio and Television Orchestra under the baton of Henryk Debich were second to none. Unfortunately, then only a small part of her output saw the light of day. Thankfully GAD Records remastered and reissued obscure funky gem City from 1978, which shows the wide range of achievements of Henryk Debich and his Orchestra. The PRiTV Orchestra in Łódź, despite its twenty-five years of experience, was rediscovering itself and each year it sounded more modern and interesting. They recorded a mix of funk, disco and film score music, inspired by Isaac Hayes and Herbie Hancock. Beautiful rediscovery and a fantastic way to celebrate 100 anniversary of the birth of this remarkable but quite forgotten composer, and also it's a perfect choice to open my new feature column on this site Wax in the Attic, about reissues, historical releases, and lost albums.

Watch below a video of Henryk Debich & Orkiestra PRiTv song Marmyszka from reissued 1978 album City: