Record Reviews

JIRI STIVIN & RUDOLF DASEK ~ SYSTEM TANDEM - KONCERT V LUBLANI BONTON 71 0389 (Barcode: 8596972103891) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1974 Released: 1996 This is a reissue / remaster of the live album by the Czech Jazz duo comprising of saxophonist / flautist / composer Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, which appeared under the TandemFind albums by this artist or System TandemFind albums by this artist monikers, recorded during the duo’s concert at the 15th International Jazz Festival in Ljubljana / Yugoslavia in June 1974. The album presents five lengthy tracks, four of which were composed by Dasek and one by Stivin. The album includes bilingual liner notes for both the original release and the reissue, by my late Friend Lubomir DoruzkaFind albums by this artist. Although this was the duo’s debut album in their homeland, it was in fact their 3rd release, preceded by an album recorded in Finland in 1974, which includes studio versions of the material performed live during the concert in Ljubljana. Their 2nd album was recorded and released in Germany in 1975 on the JapoFind albums on this label label, which was a sister label of the famous ECMFind albums on this label. As to this album, it was originally released in two versions, which was the standard modus operandi for the SupraphonFind albums on this label label; one version had the texts in Czech language, and the other version had texts in English, and was intended for the international market. These versions often had different titles, like in this case, the international version was called “TandemFind albums with this title” and the local version “Koncert V LublaniFind albums with this title”. All this can be truly confusing for collectors of Czechoslovak Jazz albums :) The music is of course absolutely sensational, beyond description. Both musicians are absolute virtuosi and are able to produce an array of sounds, which is completely incomprehensible – in this case hearing is believing. This album is probably one of the greatest examples of the “Art of the Duo” phenomenon. Overall, this is an absolute must to every Jazz music lover, and one of the best East European Jazz live albums ever recorded. Believe me, I am nor exaggerating! Do yourself a favor and get a copy ASAP, although this is not going to be easy.

Updated: 23/08/2025Posted: 23/08/2025

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JIRI STIVIN & RUDOLF DASEK ~ SYSTEM TANDEM REUNION SUPRAPHON 11 1224 (Barcode: 8596911122426) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 1991 This is an album by the duo of two legendary Czech Jazz musicians: flautist / saxophonist / composer Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and guitarist / composer Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen relatively short tracks, most of which are original compositions by the duo, both separately and together, some are their arrangements of Folk songs and finally one is a Jazz standard. The album, as the title suggest, is a result of a reunion of the duo’s activity in 1989, after many years of not performing together. Stivin and Dasek are both considered as Godfathers of modern Jazz in Czechoslovakia and both contributed immensely to the development of the local Jazz scene and both have impressive recording legacy. The duo was formed in the early 1970s and existed for several years, producing several albums together under the TandemFind albums by this artist / System TandemFind albums by this artist monikers. They were among the few Czechoslovak musicians, who were allowed to perform and records outside of their country during the socialist regime. This studio album, produced and recorded by my late Friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist, with bi-lingual liner notes by another of my Friends, Igor WasserbergerFind albums by this artist, has a recently released companion live album “Tandem – Live 1989Find albums with this title”, recorded just a few months following the studio recording and released on the GalenFind albums on this label label in 2021. These recordings reflect beautifully the telepathic level of communication between these two musicians, which clearly belongs to the “Art of the Duo” category. The difference between the studio and live performances are strikingly different. Overall, this is a brilliant example of East European Jazz at its highest possible level and offers a unique chapter in its history. Sadly, it took me years to find a copy of this album, since it was not reissued and in tame disappeared deep into oblivion. Happy to see my long pursue was finally successful, as this is a true treasure!

Updated: 16/09/2025Posted: 16/09/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend