Record Reviews

JAZZ Q ~ ZIVI SE DIVI GAD 010 (Barcode: 5901549197105) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2013 This is a real treat! The Czechoslovak band Jazz QFind albums by this artist was always one of my favorites since the time they first arrived on the scene in the early 1970 and I loved their albums to bits. The band epitomized the Eastern European Jazz-Rock Fusion better than any other singular band of their time and had absolutely no competition, neither in their own country nor in any other Eastern European countries, although the competition was very fierce with some excellent Polish, Hungarian and other local bands. A few years ago the Czech SupraphonFind albums on this label label (which was a State monopoly during the Socialist regime when the group was active) released a wonderful Box Set, which included all the albums and some additional material Jazz Q recorded for the label. Those eight CDs spun on my player for weeks on end and I was blissfully happy to have the "complete" Jazz Q legacy at my disposal. But as we all know, nothing is ever truly "complete" as this CD proves and a beautiful piece of the puzzle was missing for all these years, now available at last. Jazz Q were unique in every respect; the founder and principal composer keyboardist Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist was an absolute genius, light-years ahead of everything that what was happening on the East European Fusion scene at the time and a musician that could easily stand shoulder to shoulder with the top movers and shakers of the worldwide Fusion scene, including the John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist´s Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which was the model for his band. Kratochvil skillfully surrounded himself with other brilliant players, such as the ones appearing on this album: guitarist Frantisek FranclFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / violinist Jan MartinecFind albums by this artist, bassist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist and drummer Libor LaunFind albums by this artist. The band also featured the female vocalist (and Francl´s wife at the time) Joan DugganFind albums by this artist. All these musicians were virtuosi players, as is plainly evident to anyone listening to this album, and they were an ideal vehicle to present Kratochvil´s extraordinary music, which was often devilishly clever and complex. This live recording presents Jazz Q performing nine pieces, five of which are Kratochvil´s original composition, one is credited to the entire band and the remaining ones are composed by Eddie HarrisFind albums by this artist, Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist and John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist respectively, which is hardly surprising again as these the names associated with Fusion at the time. All these composition receive as extended treatment, which allow lengthy improvisations by the principal soloists (guitar, keyboards and violin), which are all breathtaking. The music lost absolutely nothing of its vitality, sophistication and honesty over the years and emphasizes the fact that music of such quality is almost never played today, a sad reflection of our times. If it was in my power, I´d make this album an obligatory part of every musical curriculum, hoping that it would open some people´s eyes and make them see the difference between senseless doodling and real music. Although criminally overdue, this is nevertheless a wonderful breath of fresh (albeit actually only well preserved) air, which makes life worth living.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ Q ~ ZVESTI (TIDINGS) (EXPANDED EDITION) GAD 283 (Barcode: 5903068125218) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1978 Released: 2024 This is a reissue of the 5th album by the original incarnation of the seminal Czechoslovak Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble, founded and led by keyboardist / composer Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded by a quartet version of the ensemble, which also included guitarist Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaromir HelesicFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Jan MartinecFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions by Kratochvil. The music was recorded in 1977 and released on LP by SupraphonFind albums on this label in 1979. This remastered and expanded edition of the album includes an entire second CD of bonus material, presenting nineteen tracks of studio recordings made between 1974 and 1978, by various lineups, all but two previously unreleased, including two lengthy suites, eleven-part and four-part respectively. As usual with GADFind albums on this label releases, the album includes informative in-depth (bi-lingual) liner notes, photographs and detailed information about dates and places of recording. The music is, as always with Kratochvil´s work, absolutely brilliant. Although dominated by his keyboards, which include newly available synthesizers, there is plenty of space left for some blood-curdling guitar work by Andrst and superb rhythm section work by Faukner, and the new drummer Helesic. The compositions are amongst the finest ever of all Kratochvil’s legacy, realized after crystalizing his experiences as the leader / composer of the group’s material since its inception, and he is one the greatest musical tension builders, as reflected by his hypnotic compositions, which the group performs exquisitely. The music was strongly influenced by Kratochvil’s stay at the Berklee Collage of Music in Boston, where he was exposed to the then current American Fusion influences. The Jazz Q material firmly belongs to the finest Eastern European Jazz-Rock Fusion material ever recorded, which sounds today every bit as brilliant as it did at the time it was created. The incredible reissues by GAD Records bring this legacy back to life and give an opportunity to younger generation of music lovers to get familiar with these treasures. Overall, this is an absolute must for all Fusion lovers the world over, but lovers of Jazz created behind the iron curtain should find this especially interesting. Not to be missed!

Updated: 13/01/2025Posted: 13/01/2025

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend