Sinyaya Ptitsa were official "vocal and instrumental ensemble" of Soviet times. Such bands, able to fit the tough requirements of social realism, were allowed to tour abroad, to release records on the only official recording company, to be broadcasted on radio and TV channels... The price for these privileges was strict censorship excluding any liberties in text, arrangements and on-stage behavoir.

Anyway, the hits of such bands were known, and the bands themselves were, well, popular. Founded in 1975, Sinyaya Ptitsa was one of them for a decade. This album contains their early recordings. Unprejudiced listener can find in this music some unusual melodies, good vocal skills as well as interesting arrangements (especially of brass band section). But, apart of its time and place, there's no big reason to listen to it over and over again...