Record Reviews

EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2006 KONNEX 5225 (Barcode: 4017867031876) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2009 The European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist is a "cooperative" group of top European Jazz musicians, which tours and records together for the last 30 years. Over time, an incredible parade of talent passed through the ranks of this group, each of the musicians being a leader and acknowledged instrumentalist / composer of the highest statue. The list of the players on this album, for example, is truly scary for anyone familiar with European Jazz: Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist (the only non-European by birth but very much so by spirit) on saxophone, Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist on flute, Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist and Pino MinafraFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist on piano, Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist on bass, and Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist on drums. These brilliant musicians perform a set of no less brilliant compositions, with predictably brilliant arrangements – what can I say, the album is just one nasty piece of superb music, kicking badly from start to finish. Although basically the performances are by a big band, in truth the individual soloist are given plenty of opportunity to stretch out, backed up only by the rhythm section, which makes this album likeable even for people, who have a slight adversity to big band albums (God only knows why). Regardless of ones specific likes and dislikes might be, this is a kind of recording that any true Jazz fan can not ignore. The subtle musical trickery, known only by the European Jazzers, is so obvious here, that I´d recommend this album to every American big band fan, to learn what really can be achieved with such potent "instrument". Brilliant! (Oh yes, I already said so…).

Updated: 18/07/2020Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MIRKA KRIVANKOVA / JIRI STIVIN ~ ZRCADLENI (REFLECTIONS) GALEN 19 149 (Barcode: 8594042901583) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 1982 - 1984 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the wonderful debut album by the Czech vocalist Mirka KrivankovaFind albums by this artist recorded with a trio led by flautist / saxophonist / composer Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist with bassist Ondrej SoukupFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan VitousFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Stivin. The musical approach of this album is completely innovative, treating the vocals as an instrument and finds Krivankova performing wordless vocalese and improvising vis-à-vis Stivin or soloing, supported amicably by the rhythm section. Although based on pre-composed sketches, the music is mostly freely improvised and very open, both harmonically and rhythmically. Each side of the original LP combines five pieces into a two cycles titled "Odrazy (Reflections)" and "Doteky (Contacts)" respectively, which refer to the different moods prevailing on each side. Krivankova debuted as vocalist with the Fusion group Ch.A.S.A.Find albums by this artist and her vocal performances with that group were already quite extraordinary almost a decade before this album was recorded. With time her vocals became more refined and minimalist, and clearly more Avant-Garde oriented, as this album perfectly reflects. She remains stylistically close to the early work by Polish vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist. Of course Stivin is clearly the musical instigator and anchor of this music, being way more than a faithful companion to Krivankova but rather a fully equal partner behind this album. His wonderful performances on a plethora of instruments, each ideally suited to the mood of every specific piece are masterly worked out. Soukup and Vitous also contribute their individual input with elegance and grace. The overall effect of party composed and partly Improvised Music is absolutely enchanting. Overall this is an important piece of the musical puzzle of East European Jazz and a significant historical document of the Czech scene, which is surely worth investigating. For Improvised Music connoisseurs and lovers of East European Jazz this album is an absolute must! 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: 07/06/2020Posted: 07/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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

PRAGUE SUPER QUARTET ~ LIVE GALEN 20 172 (Barcode: 8594042901842) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2020 This is an archival live album by a quartet comprising of top Czech Jazz musicians, collectively called Prague Super QuartetFind albums by this artist, which includes saxophonist / flautist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist (born 1942), pianist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist (born 1948), bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist (born 1950) and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist (born 1945). The album presents eight tracks, five of which are Jazz standards and three are arrangements of Czech Folk songs. The music is all within mainstream Jazz format, and the main reason for the existence of the quartet is to enable the four Godfathers of Czech Jazz to combine forces and display their experience and extraordinary abilities. Therefore, there are few surprises here, just excellent straightforward Jazz performed by top musicians. Of course Stivin’s flute playing is always extraordinary, as is Viklicky’s lyricism, Uhlir’s virtuosity and Vejvoda’s superb sense of rhythm. It goes without saying that these Czech musicians can play as well as any of their counterparts across the pond, which has of course already been proven countless times. Overall, this is an excellent mainstream Jazz effort, which should satisfy Jazz lovers across the globe, and perhaps convince some listeners, who never came across Czech Jazz earlier, to look for more music originating in that country, including that played by younger generations. 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: 19/02/2025Posted: 19/02/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

KAREL RUZICKA ~ KAREL RUZICKA + 9 GALEN 19 144 (Barcode: 8594042901538) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the superb debut album by the Czech keyboardist / composer / bandleader Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, recorded with nine additional top Czech musicians active at the time: flautists / saxophonists Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and Jiri ValekFind albums by this artist, trombonists Svatopluk KosvanecFind albums by this artist and Zdenek PulecFind albums by this artist, French horn player Milos PetrFind albums by this artist, tuba player Petr FleischerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, bassist Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. Together they play nine original compositions four composed by Ruzicka, two each by Valek and Dasek and one by Vejvoda. The music is all mainstream Jazz oriented, based on melodic compositions and wonderfully arranged for the large ensemble. It swings brilliantly and showcases the individual musicians soloing extensively. Ruzicka plays piano and organ with the same proficiency and effectiveness. One of the tracks is a beautiful quartet piece (flute / guitar / bass / percussion), which offers a haunting melody line and typical Eastern European melancholy, being one of the highlights of the album. Ruzicka recorded many wonderful albums which followed this debut and was an important figure on the Czech scene until his death in 2016. This album is an important part of his recorded legacy and reflects the excellent level of Jazz that flourished behind the Iron Curtain. This remastered edition is the first time this album appears on CD and it is great to see it back in circulation. For the followers of East European Jazz scene this is a highly recommended piece of the puzzle, worth investigating. 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: 09/06/2020Posted: 09/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SHQ ~ KAREL VELEBNY & COMPANY RADIOSERVIS 0398 (Barcode: 8590236039827) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1963 - 1976 Released: 2008 The legendary multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist is universally recognized as the Godfather of post-WWII Czechoslovak Jazz. His ceaseless activity as a player, bandleader and educator resulted in raising generations of Jazz players in the country, many of which continued to become leaders of their own later on. His ensembles, usually called SHQFind albums by this artist, incorporated over the years the absolute who´s who of the Czechoslovak (and later Czech) scene. His contributions as a teacher and educator were also invaluable. This compilation by the Czech Broadcasting Corporation presents a series of radio recordings by Velebny´s SHQ ensemble in the 1960s and 1970s, all previously unreleased, which of course is a great treat to lovers of Czechoslovak Jazz. The names of the participating musicians include flautist / saxophonist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist and Petr KralFind albums by this artist, pianists Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist and Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, bassists Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist, Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist, drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist and many more. Most of the music is original with just four standards out of the thirteen tracks on this album. This is a Jazz history treasure and any fan of Czechoslovak Jazz will find this album as indispensable. A must!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JIRI STIVIN ~ FIVE HITS IN A ROW GAD 080 (Barcode: 5903068120060) ~ POLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2018 This is a long overdue reissue of the legendary album by the Czech Jazz flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, recorded with an international quintet which included Polish violinist Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, American (living in Europe) bassist Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist and Czech guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist and drummers Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist or Milan VitochFind albums by this artist. The original album presented five original compositions, with the title track being a five part suite. All the music was composed by Stivin, except one piece composed by Phillips. This remastered and expanded edition adds four bonus tracks, which originate from an earlier album by Stivin (only side A of an LP), recorded a year earlier and featuring a trio with bassist Petr MarcolFind albums by this artist and drummer Milan Vitoch. The music is a pinnacle of early Easter European Free Jazz, which flourished behind the Iron Curtain, mostly in Poland but also in Czechoslovakia and GDR (East Germany). Stylistically the music is very similar to the British Free Jazz scene at the time; ferocious, uncompromising and totally committed. All the participants were great pioneers of modern European Jazz and their contribution to the genre is of course invaluable. The fact that such advanced and free spirited music was recorded and released by the Czechoslovak state record label SupraphonFind albums on this label is one of the many miracles that characterize the Jazz scene behind the Iron Curtain and can be understand only by the cognoscenti of that subject. The fact remains that Free Jazz flourished under the Socialist Regime and the albums recorded at the time are some of the best representations of the genre ever created. As usual, kudos to the Polish GADFind albums on this label Records label for bringing this wonderful music back into circulation. Eastern European Jazz connoisseurs will find this album truly amazing and the younger generations are able to test the phrase "nihil sub sole novum" when they approach Free Jazz and Improvised Music recordings. Overall this is a must have for all collectors and fans of East European Jazz recorded behind the Iron Curtain, as well as connoisseurs of Free Jazz, who wish to study the sources of the genre!

Updated: 07/08/2018Posted: 07/08/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JIRI STIVIN ~ INSPIRATION BY FOLKLORE ARTA 10004 (Barcode: 8595017400421) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1991 Released: 1991 This is a delightful album by the Czech flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which also includes guitarist Jaroslav SindlerFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. Stivin, who´s been active on the local scene since the 1960s, is undisputedly one of the Godfathers of Czech Jazz and his many recordings are all examples of musical excellence. This project reflects his connection to Czech and Slovak Folklore, which serves as a source of inspiration to the music recorded on this album. Eight folk songs are given a Jazz treatment by Stivin and his cohorts; one Stivin original and ten short transition pieces (lasting under a minute each) and one piece by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist are also used. The performances are brilliant from start to finish, as expected from such refined players. Stivin excels on flute, sounding quite similar to Ian Anderson at his best. His sense of humor is also well reflected on this album, which overall is a most pleasurable listening experience. This album should be very interesting not only to Jazz fans, but also to most Prog fans! Wholeheartedly recommended!

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JIRI STIVIN ~ SO WHAT ARTA 10134 (Barcode: 8595017413421) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004 This is a nice album by the Czech flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet, which also includes guitarist Jaroslav SindlerFind albums by this artist, bassist Zdenek TichotaFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal HejnaFind albums by this artist. Stivin, who´s been active on the local scene since the 1960s, is undisputedly one of the Godfathers of Czech Jazz and his many recordings are all examples of musical excellence. This recording presents a relaxed atmosphere and almost acoustic performances, which are melodic, delicate and mostly low-key. Five well known standards, two Stivin originals and two folk songs arranged by him present a diverse repertoire, which allows Stivin to use an entire array of flutes and wind instruments, which he does beautifully as always. The guitar provides a perfect companion to the solos and plays some great solos itself and the rhythm section of Funky bass guitar and swinging drums keeps everything solid and right on time. This album is overall a pleasurable listening experience, which covers no new ground but allows the listener to relax and have fun, without lowering the standard.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JIRI STIVIN & PIERRE FAVRE ~ VYLETY (EXCURSIONS) GALEN 19 145 (Barcode: 8594042901545) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1979 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the extraordinary debut album by the Improvised Music duo comprising of Czech flautist / saxophonist / composer Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer / composer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist. Released originally as a double LP set, it finds the two musicians improvising live using a plethora of instruments and producing over eighty minutes of music, based on pre-conceived themes, but mostly spontaneously created on the fly. Vocalist Pavel KuhnFind albums by this artist adds some occasional vocal parts. The music is collected into four suite-like pieces, each split into tracks (9 / 7 / 3 and 5 respectively), but which are basically musical continuums. It is credited partly collectively to the two musicians and partly to Stivin. This remastered edition on a 2CD album, available on CD for the first time, offers wonderful sound quality and clarity, which is crucial for these delicate sonic vistas. The booklet is bi-lingual this time! It retrospect it is quite astounding to find this kind of music being created and even more so released by a state owned label behind the Iron Curtain, which at the time (late 1970s) was still deeply under the stern censorship of the Socialist regime. Stivin obviously had a very special status on the local scene, but the capricious behavior of the overseers could never be predicted. A participation of a World Class partner obviously was a part of the equation. The performances portray the incredible abilities of both musicians as well as their telepathic cooperation. Fellow musicians often jokingly told that Stivin could produce a sound from anything that could be blown into and apparently the same can be told about Favre as far as beating on things is concerned. The sounds they are able to produce and combine are simply magical. Astonishingly the music is completely embracing and accessible and as far as Improvised Music is concerned it is not only pioneering but also incredibly contemporary, in spite of the fact that it is over four decades old. It lost absolutely nothing of its fascination and beauty over time and it´s great to have this gem back in circulation! Overall this is an important piece of the musical puzzle of East European Jazz and a significant historical document of the Czech scene, which is surely worth investigating. For Improvised Music connoisseurs and lovers of East European Jazz this album is an absolute must! 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: 05/06/2020Posted: 05/06/2020

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KAREL VELEBNY ~ NONET SHQ & WOODWINDS MPS (JAPAN) 4988005415530 (Barcode: 4988005415530) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble, which included also flautist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, pianist Ludek SvabenskyFind albums by this artist, bassist Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist, and which was expanded to a nonet by the addition of a woodwind quartet, which included oboist Vlastimil KalaFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist Miroslav KryslFind albums by this artist, French horn player Milos PetrFind albums by this artist and bassoonist Pavel ZednikFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, two each by Karel Vejvoda, Josef Vejvoda and Velebny and one each by Stivin and Svabensky. The album was released originally on the legendary SABAFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded in February of 1968, just a few months before the brutal invasion of Czechoslovakia by the armies of the Warsaw Pact, which was one of the most pivotal events of post WWII Eastern European history. Velebny was one of several Jazz musicians from behind the Iron Curtain, who got an opportunity to record for the SABA / MPSFind albums on this label labels, creating the first steps to the Pan-European Jazz scene, which exploded after the fall of the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe. The music is absolutely stunning example of highly advanced modern Jazz, which amalgamated Third Stream motives, sophisticated arrangements and complex multi-theme compositions, which always characterized Czechoslovak Jazz. It remains as one of the finest achievements in Velebny’s brilliant career and his splendid recorded legacy, although sadly the album is almost completely unknown and extremely difficult to find, with only one Japanese CD reissue. Overall, this is an absolute gem of an album in every respect, including the brilliant sound quality of the remaster. For fans of early East European Jazz this is a must in every respect! It took me ages to find a copy, so I am a happy music lover now! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 07/12/2024Posted: 07/12/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KAREL VELEBNY ~ SHQ ESP 1080 (Barcode: 090204038237) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2000 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble, which included also flautist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, pianist Ludek SvabenskyFind albums by this artist, bassist Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions, three by Velebny, one by Stivin and one a folk tune arranged by Velebny. The album was recorded in April of 1968, just a few months before the brutal invasion of Czechoslovakia by the armies of the Warsaw Pact in August 1968, which was one of the most pivotal events of post WWII Eastern European history. Velebny was one of several Jazz musicians from behind the Iron Curtain, who got an opportunity to record abroad, creating the first steps to the Pan-European Jazz scene, which exploded after the fall of the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe. The music is absolutely stunning example of highly advanced modern Jazz, which amalgamated Third Stream motives, sophisticated arrangements and complex multi-theme compositions, which always characterized Czechoslovak Jazz. It remains as one of the finest achievements in Velebny’s brilliant career and his splendid recorded legacy. This was the second album by SHQ released outside of Czechoslovakia, following the “Nonet SHQ & WoodwindsFind albums with this title” album released by the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label. It was released by a non-less legendary American Avant-Garde label ESPFind albums on this label Disk, which explains the gigantic stylistic change in the musical approach, which is almost Avant-Garde Jazz oriented, with a lot of Free improvisation, although still based on clearly composed themes. The two albums were recorded only two months apart. Overall, this is an absolute gem of an album in every respect, especially since it is one of the earliest Free Jazz recorded by musicians from behind the Iron Curtain. For fans of early East European Jazz this is a must in every respect!

Updated: 01/02/2025Posted: 01/02/2025

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend