Violinski -

Violinski was an English art-rock band that released two albums on Jet between 1979 and 1980. The band was formed by ELO alumni Michael de Albuquerque (guitar, vocals) and Mik Kaminski (violin). The second album features the talents of ex-Starry Eyed and Laughing bassist Iain Whitmore.

Members: Mik Kaminski (violin), Baz Dunnery (guitar), Andy Brown (bass, vocals), John Hodgson (drums), John Marcangelo (keyboards), Michael de Albuquerque (guitar, vocals), Paul Mann (bass), Iain Whitmore (bass, vocals)

Violinski were an English art-rock band formed in 1977 by violinist Mik Kaminski with drummer John Hodgson and keyboardist John Marcangelo. Jet issued the 1979–80 albums No Cause for Alarm and Stop Cloning About. Marcangelo’s instrumental “Clog Dance” reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

Guitarist–singer Michael de Albuquerque joined during the debut sessions following his 1972–74 tenure with ELO. Former Starry Eyed and Laughing bassist Iain Whitmore entered for the second album.

Members: Mik Kaminski (violin), John Hodgson (drums, percussion), John Marcangelo (keyboards, percussion), Baz Dunnery (guitar, vocals), Andy Brown (bass, vocals), Michael de Albuquerque (guitar, vocals), Paul Mann (bass, vocals), Iain Whitmore (bass, vocals)

Background

Violinski formed in 1977 when Kaminski and Hodgson moved beyond the Camden Rats and contacted former Cow keyboardist John Marcangelo. The three musicians had studied at Leeds College of Music between 1968 and 1970, where they formed Cow.

Mik Kaminski was born on September 2, 1951, in Harrogate, Yorkshire. He performed with the Leeds Orchestra at fourteen. Kaminski played on the 1973 albums Keep It Clean by Joe Soap and Andy Roberts and the Great Stampede, then joined ELO for On the Third Day.

Hodgson subsequently joined Rick Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble. He played percussion on the 1975 albums The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and Lisztomania, followed by international touring with Wakeman.

Guitarist Baz Dunnery arrived from Necromandus; bassist–singer Andy Brown completed the first Violinski lineup. The group entered the studio on December 14, 1977. During the following year, Michael de Albuquerque and Paul Mann replaced Dunnery and Brown.

De Albuquerque had made the 1971 album First Wind with percussionist Frank Ricotti and served as ELO bassist from 1972 through 1974. His 1976 solo album Stalking the Sleeper preceded the Violinski sessions.

No Cause for Alarm

Violinski released their debut album, No Cause for Alarm, in April 1979 on Jet.

The album contains recordings by two lineups. Early sessions pair guitarist–singer Baz Dunnery with bassist–singer Andy Brown; later recordings substitute Michael de Albuquerque and Paul Mann. Violinist Kaminski remains in the core with keyboardist Marcangelo and drummer Hodgson. Marcangelo supplies five titles, while Hodgson contributes four. Kaminski writes “Time to Live.”

“Clog Dance” skips through a jaunty, folk-tinged instrumental motif, pauses at a false ending, then reprises its main idea in a brief coda. “Need Your Love” softens into gentle romantic phrases. “Time to Live” glides through a similarly tender setting. “Cow Caped Crusader” enters quietly before pivoting from its “Cow” portion into “Caped Crusader.”

A1. “Cricket, Bloody Cricket” (2:29) – Marcangelo
A2. “(More Than A) Sudden Romance” (2:30) – Hodgson
A3. “Rosanna” (3:36) – Marcangelo
A4. “Need Your Love” (3:37) – Hodgson
A5. “No Cause for Alarm” (3:08) – Marcangelo
A6. “Clog Dance” (2:58) – Marcangelo

B1. “Save Me” (3:55) – Hodgson
B2. “Time to Live” (3:02) – Kaminski
B3. “Cow / Caped Crusader” (6:15) – Hodgson
B4. “Die Aband Glocke” (1:27) – Marcangelo

Recordings continued through 1978 at De Lane Lea and Marquee Studios in London before the group moved to Musicland Studios in Munich. Kaminski co-produced the album with Marcangelo and Hodgson.

De Lane Lea engineer Rafe McKenna worked concurrently on the 1978 Wishbone Ash album No Smoke Without Fire. At Marquee Studios, Typically Tropical co-founder Jeff Calvert engineered the Violinski recordings following his production work on the 1978 Hot Gossip single “I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper.” Musicland engineer Reinhold Mack had handled ELO’s Out of the Blue and continued with the 1979 album Discovery.

Martin Poole built the sleeve around Fin Costello’s photograph of a white-clad violinist opposite a silhouetted figure, with a second black hand entering from the upper corner.

Jet issued “Clog Dance” in January 1979 (b/w “Time to Live”). The single entered the UK chart in February and reached No. 17 during its nine-week run.

“Save Me” followed in June 1979 (b/w “Cricket Bloody Cricket”).

No Cause for Alarm reached No. 49 on the UK Albums Chart. A 1982 US issue retitled the album Whirling Dervish.

Stop Cloning About

Violinski released their second album, Stop Cloning About, in April 1980 on Jet.

The album introduces bassist–singer Iain Whitmore, formerly of Starry Eyed and Laughing, in place of Paul Mann. Guitarist–singer de Albuquerque remains alongside Kaminski, with Marcangelo and Hodgson completing the revised five-piece. De Albuquerque contributes more material, including the Kaminski collaboration “Hide It”; Marcangelo retains four solo titles.

“Ruby Rhythms” glides beneath Michael de Albuquerque’s veiled delivery. “Captain Dandy” quickens while sung phrases recede behind accompaniment. “Silent Love” drifts through a subdued, mysterious air. “What’s Your Game” sways on a buoyant rhythmic pattern. “See You in My Pillow” threads an Eastern-tinged motif. “Clear Away” submerges parts of its sung text beneath accompaniment. “Home to Tea” saunters as an easygoing instrumental.

A1. “Ruby Rhythms” (2:33) – Marcangelo
A2. “Captain Dandy” (3:23) – Hodgson
A3. “Silent Love” (2:35) – de Albuquerque
A4. “Magic Man” (2:40) – Kaminski
A5. “What’s Your Game” (3:49) – Marcangelo
A6. “The Drinking Song” (3:57) – Marcangelo

B1. “Mirrored Mirror” (2:54) – Hodgson
B2. “Hide It” (3:01) – de Albuquerque, Kaminski
B3. “See You in My Pillow” (3:48) – de Albuquerque
B4. “In the Distance” (3:55) – Marcangelo
B5. “Clear Away” (2:38) – Kaminski
B6. “Home to Tea” (3:00) – de Albuquerque

Violinski recorded Stop Cloning About at Musicland Studios in Munich with Reinhold Mack, who co-produced the album with the group and served as engineer. During the same 1979–80 Musicland period, Mack co-produced Queen’s The Game.

Fin Costello devised and photographed the sleeve, which shows a caped woman gesturing toward a blue violin set against a white form. Illustrator Dick Ward completed the image.

Jet circulated “Scenario,” the single title for “In the Distance,” as a November 1979 promotional release (b/w “What’s Your Game”).

“Silent Love” followed in February 1980 (b/w “Captain Dandy”).

In May 1980, Jet issued “Ruby Rhythms” (b/w “Clear Away”).

Postlude

Violinski returned for intermittent 1984–85 performances with guitarist Ronnie Caryl.

Sanctuary issued Clog Dance: The Very Best of Violinski in May 2007. The compilation returned material from both albums to CD and added previously unreleased early versions, alternate takes, and demos.

Discography: