Record Reviews

PRAGUE BIG BAND ~ PODOBIZNA (PORTRAIT) GALEN 19 158 (Barcode: 8594042901675) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the superb debut album by the Prague Big BandFind albums by this artist, founded in 1974 and led to this day by Czech pianist / arranger / composer / bandleader Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist. At the time this album was recorded the Big Band included some of the most prominent Czech Jazz musicians active on the local scene, including flautist / saxophonist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Michal GeraFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bohuslav VolfFind albums by this artist, pianist Michael KocabFind albums by this artist and many others. The album presents six original compositions (one being a three-part suite), two composed by Svoboda and one each by Volf, Gera, Kocab and Stivin. This remastered edition offers a splendid sound quality and preserves the ambience of the original recording. Although the Big Band was initially set up according to the mold created by the American Big Band tradition, it soon changed to reflect more of the East European Jazz spirit, reflected best by the original compositions by the leader and other members of the Big Band, as well as the as the impending changes within the Jazz idiom, as reflected on this album. Before the "Velvet Revolution" Svoboda and his Prague Big Band managed to record two more excellent albums for the state owned SupraphonFind albums on this label label: "ReminiscencesFind albums with this title" and "Poste RestanteFind albums with this title" and the live Big Band album "GeminiFind albums with this title" recorded in the US, as well as the excellent album "InterJazz 5Find albums with this title" recorded with The Czech / Polish Big BandFind albums by this artist, which featured an absolute dreamy lineup. Later on more Big Band recordings followed. Svoboda and his Prague Big Band managed to record a string of highly successful albums, all of which are warmly recommended, but this iconic album, available here on CD for the first time, is a true gem of special significance. For connoisseurs of Orchestral / Big Band Jazz this album is an absolute must and a wonderful example of the European Jazz idiosyncrasy. Side Note The Czech publishing house and record label GalenFind albums on this label, run by Lubomir HoudekFind albums by this artist, is another player on the local scene, reissuing historical recordings from the deep vaults of the SupraphonFind albums on this label / PantonFind albums on this label labels, supported by the Czech Ministry of Culture. This commendable initiative is a wonderful example of the preservation of Cultural heritage. Hopefully the label's future releases will include information in English in the album's booklets, so that Jazz enthusiasts around the world might be allowed to share the knowledge. For more reissues of Czechoslovak Jazz (and Rock) see also the releases by Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records.

Updated: 04/06/2020Posted: 04/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend