Record Reviews

LUBOS ANDRST ~ CAPRICORNUS GALEN 16 089 (Barcode: 8594042900937) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2016 This is a reissue / remaster of the debut solo album by the Czech Jazz / Fusion guitarist / composer Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, recorded with a splendid team of musicians, including violinist Jan HrubyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Gabriel JonasFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Jiri VeselyFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan VitousFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Andrst. Andrst was a self-taught guitar virtuoso, who appeared on the local scene in late 1960s and by the 1970s became one of the leading guitar players in Czechoslovakia. He was a member of the legendary Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble and later formed the EnergitFind albums by this artist group (with keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist), which soon became one of the leading Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles behind the Iron Curtain. From the early 1980s on, following the recording of this debut album, which was still strongly Fusion oriented, Andrst’s musical orientation shifted toward Blues-Rock, which was his main interest until his death in 2021. The music on this album is absolutely exceptional, strongly rooted in Fusion, but offering a highly melodic / dreamy atmosphere, lengthy improvisations by both guitar and violin, and a superb musicianship by all the participants. It remains a classic of the era and sounds today every bit as impressive as it did at the time it was recorded. Overall, this is one of the most remarkable Czechoslovak Jazz / Fusion albums, unique due to its violin sound, which resembles early Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist recordings, and brilliant guitar work by Andrst. In many respects it is a hidden jewel and this reissue a godsend, although by now it is quite difficult to find. It is an absolute must to East European Jazz / Fusion fans and a timeless gem of an album. Unfortunately, the extensive liner notes of this reissue are in Czech language only. 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: 27/08/2025Posted: 27/08/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LUBOS ANDRST / ENERGIT ~ TIME`S ARROW SUPRAPHON 6372 (Barcode: 099925637224) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2015 - 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by the Czech guitarist / composer Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist with a reunion lineup of his legendary Fusion group EnergitFind albums by this artist, which he led in the mid-1970s. The lineup includes vocalist / organist Jan HolecekFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Vladimir KulhanekFind albums by this artist and drummer Jiri ZelenkaFind albums by this artist. Violinist Jan HrubyFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents six tracks, all composed or co-composed by Andrst. The album is dedicated to the memory of bass guitarist Vladimir PadrunekFind albums by this artist, who played with Andrst in the legendary Jazz Q and was a founding member of Energit. The music is a scorching Blues-Rock / Fusion affair, with strong Blues roots, full of nostalgic moments, which make it sound like a genuine early 1970s recording, which of course is absolutely great fun. Andrst lost nothing of his great touch and his guitar virtuosity is simply stunning. One could say that by the time this album was released (2017), the music was totally out of synch with what was happening in music at the time, but who cares. It is simply great music of the kind, which is not being made anymore, so every note here is a blessing. Listeners, who love the sound of the late 1960s / early 1970s will simply experience an ecstatic nostalgic moment. With the death of Andrst in 2021, the world lost one of the finest Rock / Blues / Fusion guitarist of all times, which makes every note of his that is available on record an absolute must! Overall, this is a monster album, which sadly the world is mostly completely unaware of, which is a great pity. If you love that kind of Blues-Rock / Fusion music, you should absolutely get a copy of this album ASAP, and I think this is still possible these days. I promise you no regrets!

Updated: 11/09/2025Posted: 11/09/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAHAGON ~ MAHAGON (EXPANDED EDITION) GAD 174 (Barcode: 5903068122545) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1977 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of the debut album by Czechoslovak Jazz-Rock Fusion band MahagonFind albums by this artist, led by bassist / composer Petr KlapkaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1978. The collected lineup that recorded this album includes twelve musicians, with some of the best Jazz and Rock players in the country at the time, like keyboardist Michael KocabFind albums by this artist and violinist Jan HrubyFind albums by this artist. It was fronted by female vocalist Zdena AdamovaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Klapka. This new reissue is expanded by five additional tracks, which are radio recordings preceding the recording of the album, also all original compositions, one by Klapka and the rest by other members of the group. This album was already reissued, together with the second album by the group, as a 2CD set in 2008 on the Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label label, but the bonus tracks are released here for the first time. The music is absolutely timeless and amalgamates many influences, both the obvious ones like Jazz, Rock and Blues, and stylistically follows the Brass Rock ensembles like Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist or ChicagoFind albums by this artist, adding also a strong Funk element and Eastern European twist, with some folkloristic inspirations. Combined with the superb musicianship found here, this album is a true gem from start to finish. The fact that this music had no chance to reach listeners in Western Europe at the time is a travesty, which can now be easily rectified. Overall, this is obviously one of the best East European albums recorded at the time, and although it is forty-five years old, it sounds absolutely fresh and exciting. As usual, hats off to GADFind albums on this label Records for bringing this treasure back to life and expanding it with additional brilliant music, which deserves to be heard and should not be forgotten. No decent Fusion record collection is complete without this album in it. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 27/01/2022Posted: 27/01/2022

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend