Record Reviews

CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ JAZZ FROM STUDIO `A` GAD 057 (Barcode: 5901549197754) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the superb Big Band / Orchestral Jazz album recorded by the Czechoslovak Radio Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which for many years managed to record orchestral Jazz music played by the best Czechoslovak Jazz musicians, such as trumpeter Laco DecziFind albums by this artist, pianist Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, drummer Josef VojevodaFind albums by this artist and many, many others. The orchestra was directed by Kamil HalaFind albums by this artist, who contributed most of its material, both as a composer and arranger. The album was recorded "live in the studio". This remastered edition expands the album by adding three tracks originating from a radio session to the eight original tracks. The music is a superb example of European Big Band / Orchestral Jazz, which is much more complex and sophisticated than parallel (in time) American recordings. The tunes are much more diverse and often multi-part and the arrangements display the full dynamic of the orchestra, with a wonderful balance between the rhythm section and the rest of the instruments in the band. Rhythmically and stylistically the music is much closer to the then current Jazz-Rock Fusion than to Swing, which dominates most American Big Bands. It is very educational to compare this album to the other Big Band / Orchestral Jazz album "PolymelomodusFind albums with this title" recorded in the same year by the Gustav Brom OrchestraFind albums by this artist, another legendary representative of the Czechoslovak orchestral Jazz. Both albums reissued by the GADFind albums on this label Records label have many similarities and both are brilliant examples of what is possible to achieve with a great orchestra under a direction of an open minded leader. I have had the vinyl version of this album since the day it was originally released and over the years it was always one of my favorite Big Band albums. This new reissue with the improved sound and bonus tracks makes it even more desirable. Absolutely not to be missed by European Jazz connoisseurs, especially of course by fans of the big orchestral sound – nothing compares to this! Phenomenal stuff!

Updated: 19/07/2017Posted: 19/07/2017

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ENERGIT ~ ENERGIT (EXPANDED EDITION) GAD 220 (Barcode: 5903068123283) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1976 Released: 2022 This is a 2CD reissue of the debut album by the Czechoslovak Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist. It is a brilliant document of the music scene, which thrived in Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain, in all the so-called "Socialist" countries, and was every bit as interesting, groundbreaking and visionary as anything else happening at the same time in Western Europe or the USA. In spite of political pressures, artistic censorship and economic hardships, with very limited access to recordings from the West, decent equipment or proper recording facilities, these young and ambitious musicians were exploding with ideas and boldly exploring new territories. The resulting music created at the time remains completely relevant today and should be rediscovered by young audiences, as it lost absolutely nothing of its power and intellectual quality. Energit was formed by the brilliant guitarist Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, after he left the legendary Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble, joining forces with two excellent young musicians from another legendary ensemble SHQFind albums by this artist: keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist. The lineup was completed by bassist Jan VytrhlikFind albums by this artist and alternating drummers: Karel JencikFind albums by this artist, Anatoli KohoutFind albums by this artist and Josef VojevodaFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Jiri TomekFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. Andrst wrote all of the original material performed by the ensemble, which although Blues influenced, was at the time centered on the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, similar in sound and obviously influenced mostly by Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but also by Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist or Weather ReportFind albums by this artist. The first CD presents the original album, which offers five tracks, with the opening 17+ minutes long and the closing tracks being parts of a suite. The second CD presents seven tracks of bonus material, two recorded live, four originating from a radio broadcast and one from a TV broadcast, from which four are previously unreleased. The reissue is accompanied by extensive bi-lingual liner notes, as usual with the superb GADFind albums on this label Record releases, which cover the group’s history and other background information. Overall, this is some of the best Eastern European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which should not be missed by any connoisseur of the genre, especially those interested in music originating from behind the Iron Curtain. A must!

Updated: 23/12/2022Posted: 23/12/2022

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend