Record Reviews

CH.A.S.A. ~ 1975 LIVE INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 775 (Barcode: 8595026677524) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018 This is an archival album by Czechoslovak Jazz-Rock Fusion group Ch.A.S.A.Find albums by this artist recorded live in 1975, presenting material which was previously unreleased. The group consisted of vocalist Mirka KrivankovaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Pavel ChmelarFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jiri AdamFind albums by this artist, bassist Ivo AlbrechtFind albums by this artist, drummer Antonin StrizFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ivan HavlicekFind albums by this artist. Violinist Jan BeranekFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The album presents nine original compositions, seven of which were composed or co-composed by Adam and one each was composed by Striz and Albrecht. All the music is beautifully remastered and the album comes with extensive liner notes, extremely well researched and full of discographical information, sadly only in Czech language (which works fine for me, but probably less so for other enthusiasts who also might be interested). The group was founded in 1973 by Chmelar, Albrecht, Striz and Adam (hence the group´s name – an acronym), which were later joined by Havlicek and Krivankova. With the charismatic vocalist fronting the group they soon became a popular attraction on the local scene. Although the group existed until 1978, it never recorded a studio album and this material is their only recorded legacy. The music is all melody based Fusion, based on excellent original compositions, which faithfully represent European Jazz-Rock Fusion of the 1970s. Complex, multi-themed compositions and odd rhythmic patterns make the music interesting even today, four and half decades later. Obviously the wordless vocalese by Krivankova is the main point of interest, remaining stylistically close to the work of the pioneering Polish vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist. As usual in Fusion groups, Chmelar represents the more Jazz oriented side of the group´s music while Adam is the more Rock oriented contributor, and the balance between them is what makes this music work so well. The rhythm section is very solid and keeps the music flowing efficiently. Since the music was recorded live, it offers a lot of soloing by all the group´s members, which allows them to show their individual chops. For fans of European Jazz-Rock Fusion and its history, reissues of this kind are an absolute must, and the fact that this music is available on CD for the first time makes it a wonderful treasure. Brilliant stuff! My personal thanks to Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, the owner of Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label, for his friendship and the incredible job he is doing to keep this music alive! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 03/03/2020Posted: 03/03/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ IN HOLOMOC TOWN (EXPANDED EDITION) SUPRAPHON 6089 (Barcode: 099925608927) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 - 1984 Released: 2012 This long overdue reissue presents the debut album recorded by the Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, who in time became one of the leading Jazz (and not only) musicians in his country. It includes nine original compositions by Viklicky and is performed by a splendid quintet, which also includes violinist Jan BeranekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and drummer Milan VitochFind albums by this artist, who played with Viklicky previously in such groups like the Fusion ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist or the legendary SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble led by Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist. The music is truly remarkable and beautifully crafted, combining many different influences but being predominantly Viklicky´s own creation. Although incorporating the Jazz tradition, it is very European in every respect: the melodic lyricism, the usage of Folk motifs and Classical harmonies and the sophisticated chord changes. In retrospect it is even more remarkable considering fresh it sounds today, 35 years later, losing nothing of its charm and elegance. The performances are also extraordinary: Viklicky´s virtuosity as a pianist was already an established fact by the time this album was recorded, but his partners, and especially the brilliant Uhlir, match his abilities perfectly. I distinctly remember listening to this album when it was first released, which was quite a revelation. Both Viklicky and Uhlir remain among my favorite musicians to this very day, and I owe them many happy musical moments. The album was released at the time in two versions; one for the local Czechoslovak market (with the original title) and one for export with an alternative title: "The Folk-Inspired Jazz PianoFind albums with this title". The State-owned Supraphon label, which at the time was a controlled and censored monopoly, emphasized the Folk influence (in this case Moravian Folk music), which was a very old trick used in all East European countries during the Socialist regime, to enable Jazz albums to be recorded under the pretext of preserving National cultural heritage. In retrospect (again) whatever the excuse, the music was recorded for posterity and music lovers are able to enjoy it again. This expanded edition adds to the original contents of the album five solo piano pieces recorded in 1984, which constitute a Suite for piano, originally released as the B-side of the LP "DoorFind albums with this title" (see also the recently reissued album "Window & DoorFind albums with this title"). This is a beautiful, sensitive, delightful album, which should be enjoyed by as many Jazz connoisseurs as possible. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ WINDOW & DOOR SUPRAPHON 6064 (Barcode: 099925606428) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2012 This long overdue reissue finally brings back to life the sessions recorded by the Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist with three American musicians: guitarist Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, bassist Kermit DriscollFind albums by this artist and drummer Vinton JohnsonFind albums by this artist. Czech violinist Jan BeranekFind albums by this artist guests on one track. Viklicky got to know these musicians during his stint at the Berklee Collage of music in Boston and invited them over for the June 1979 session, which was quite an extraordinary event on the Czechoslovak scene during the Socialist times. Of the fourteen tracks recorded during these sessions, eight were released as the LP "WindowFind albums with this title" a year later, five as the A-side of the LP "DoorFind albums with this title" in 1985 and the last remained unreleased until 1997. Twelve of the tracks were composed by Viklicky and one each by Driscoll and Frisell. The music is a Jazz-Rock-Funk Fusion voyage, with Viklicky playing electric keyboards. The rapport between these musicians is truly extraordinary and the resulting music still keeps the listener twitching involuntarily in his shoes. Viklicky´s compositions are brilliant as always, and the Funky rhythms don´t conceal his unusual melodic approach. Frisell fans will find this early recording also very interesting, as he was still in the stage of developing his unique playing technique. This music remains as relevant, as it was at the time of the recording and in retrospect it was remarkably advanced and quite ahead of its time. Of the countless Fusion recordings made in the 1970s and since, this music is one of the few examples of unique identity, which did not blend into the background. It should be quite a revelation for a new generation of listeners exposed to it for the first time, over three decades after it was recorded, as well as those Fusion lovers who think they have already heard it all. I enjoy it now as much as I did the first time around, hoping more people will discover it themselves. A must for every Fusion connoisseur!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend