Well, this is a special find. Not strictly music discovery, ‘American B’ feels more like stepping into history, as a sort of archival research, helping us understand better the world around us. Let me give you some context: the track belongs to 229, a late-80s / early-90 group with a firm hold in ex-Iron Curtain countries. Alan Dweck was a central figure in the ensemble, helping deliver material that resonated with his peers, drenched in truly late-80s extravaganza.
A reworked version of ‘American B’ was re-released by Dweck a few years ago, and it’s been sent to us as a hidden, elegant gem. It truly is a sensational slice of eclecticism. Sonically, it breathes 90s MIDI sound design, together with a distinct East-European flavouring. We suspect the English lyrics were one of the reasons why 229 had so much success at the time. Finally, the soviet block was able to step into another world, a cultural universe that had long been forbidden.
The MIDI saxophone is an iconic addition to the track, which flourishes on digital tones and classic drum machines. Speaking about 229, Dweck explains: “I have poignant memories of that time, particularly being taken around Timisoara where only a few months earlier the President’s armed troops had gunned down innocent students in protest.”
Discover ‘American B’ on Spotify:
