Adam Baruch - The Soundtrack Of My Life

Record Reviews

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GERA BAND ~ FATA MORGANA
GALEN 21 190 (Barcode: 8594042902054) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1985 Released: 2021

This is a reissue / remaster of the debut album by the Czechoslovak quartet Gera BandFind albums by this artist, led by trumpeter Michal GeraFind albums by this artist, which also included saxophonist Vaclav BratrychFind albums by this artist, bassist Vit SvecFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaromir HelesicFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, all of which are original compositions by Gera.

Gera was active on the Czechoslovak Jazz scene since the mid-1970s, as a member of the excellent Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble ImpulsFind albums by this artist, the Prague Big BandFind albums by this artist and other formations. He took part in many collaborations with pianist / composer Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist, which are also documented on albums. Gera Band released two more albums later on. His trumpet was surely one of the most distinctive voices of the local scene.

The music is an excellent example of the versatility and musical excellence of the Czechoslovak scene, which was up to date with the musical developments happening beyond the Iron Curtain and across the pond.

Overall, this is a most welcome reissue of material that tends to get forgotten over time, but is definitely worth being remembered. As usual the GalenFind albums on this label label does an excellent job in preserving the tradition, saving music treasure from oblivion.

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: 07/03/2025Posted: 07/03/2025

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

Updated: 04/06/2020Posted: 04/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MILAN SVOBODA / PRAGUE BIG BAND ~ GOOD NEWS
CUBE / METIER 2842 (Barcode: 8591562027427) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007

This is an album by Czech pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist and his Prague Big BandFind albums by this artist, which he first founded in 1974 and led and conducted ever since. Generations of Czech Jazz musician appeared over the time as members of the Big Band, as well as many guests from abroad. The Big Band plays almost exclusively original compositions by Svoboda. This album presents seven original compositions, all composed and arranged by Svoboda, most of which have been previously recorded by earlier incarnations of the Big Band or other ensembles led by Svoboda, and appear here in new / updated / extended and newly recorded versions, hence the somewhat misleading subtitle of this album “The Best Of Prague Big Band”, which might suggest a compilation album, which this album is definitely not.

The music and the performances are absolutely brilliant from start to finish, presenting a superb example of the European Jazz Big Band approach, which focuses on the orchestral sound and overall ambience of the ensemble rather than on individual soloing, although there are plenty of brilliant soli here, which will send chills down the listener’s spine. Svoboda’s superb compositions are ideal vehicles for the Big Band to shine in its full glory and never cease to amaze in their thematic richness and harmonic perfection.

Three of the compositions go back as far as 1984, when they were recorded initially during Svoboda’s stint at the Berklee Collage Of Music in Boston, and now get a rejuvenated full Big Band treatment, proving that already at that time his compositional powers were already at their full blast. The composition dedicated to Gill Evans goes back as far as 1986, when it was recorded with the Czech / Polish Big Band, again expanded and reworked.

For Big Band Jazz enthusiasts this album, like all Svoboda / Prague Big Band albums, is an absolute delight and a perfect example of the power and artistry of the Big Band idiom, and deserves an honorable place in any serious Jazz collection.

I have known Milan and his music for the last five decades and he never created music which was not worthy of admiration and respect, and he obviously does not mean to change now. Since we were born only a few days apart, hearing this music makes me feel young and help to forget our age – obviously the creativity is not gone yet. Thank you for the music and the vision my Friend!

Updated: 08/09/2021Posted: 08/09/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MILAN SVOBODA / PRAGUE BIG BAND ~ SWINGING HAT
GALEN 21 185 (Barcode: 8594042901989) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021

This is the fourteenth album by Czech pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist and his Prague Big BandFind albums by this artist, which he first founded in 1974 and led and conducted ever since. Generations of Czech Jazz musician appeared over the time as members of the Big Band, as well as many guests from abroad. The Big Band plays almost exclusively original compositions by Svoboda. This album presents six original compositions, loosely inspired by the work of Czech composer Jaroslav JezekFind albums by this artist, who was one of the early Czech Jazz precursors in the early 20th Century, and an important composer for theatrical plays.

Although initially based on the American Big Band model, the Prague Big Band soon became one of the most progressive European Big Bands, moving toward more adventurous arrangements and even somewhat Avant-Garde approach, similar to what the Austrian Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist was doing at the time. Later on the style changed again returning to more “conventional” sound, but always brilliantly fresh and innovative. Svoboda’s compositions for the Big Band are wonderful examples of European Jazz, which incorporates many European cultural influences, including Folklore and Classical Music inspirations. His brilliant arrangements emphasize the Big Band orchestral sound, with less prominence of soloing and more focus on ensemble performance.

For connoisseurs of early Jazz, Svoboda brilliantly incorporates vivid examples of Hot and Swing within the collage of his arrangements, which pay tribute to the original compositions by Jezek, but brings them up to date with Funk and other contemporary musical influences, creating a perfect cross-genre amalgam, which keeps the tradition alive and at the same time shows it timeless / everlasting values.

I have known Milan and his music for the last five decades and he never created music which was not worthy of admiration and respect, and he obviously does not mean to change now. Since we were born only a few days apart, hearing this music makes me feel young and help to forget our age – obviously the creativity is not gone yet.

Thanks for the music and the vision my Friend - Swinging Hat(s) off!

Updated: 29/07/2021Posted: 29/07/2021

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend