Record Reviews

CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ 100 YEARS ANIMAL MUSIC 091 (Barcode: 8594155998791) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is the fifth album by the Czech Big Band called Concept Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, founded in 2010 and led by trumpeter / composer Stepanka BalcarovaFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, this is a project commemorating the Centennial of the modern Czech State founded in 1918 following the end of WW I. The album presents a six-part suite, each part dedicated to one of the six periods signifying the development over time of the convoluted history of Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic between 1918 and 2018. Each of the six parts includes short archival recordings of speeches by relevant historic personalities and other sounds. All the music was composed by members of a group of six Czech composers, called collectively The Prague SixFind albums by this artist: Balcarova, saxophonist Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, pianist Vit KristanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Martin BrunnerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jan JiruchaFind albums by this artist and pianist Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist, all of which also play on the album, two as guests. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Six guests play on selected tracks. The music was beautifully recorded and offers a magnificently rich Big Band sound. As all the earlier albums by the CAO, the music is skillfully and intelligently woven and superbly executed by the Big Band members. It epitomizes the concept and sound of the European Jazz Big Band tradition, which although based on the American Jazz Big Band tradition to some extent, expands the traditional roles of the sections and their mutual relationships and offers more challenging arrangements and aural versatility. The music emphasizes the Big Band sound, which functions like one organic body and even the individual soloing is also kept as naturally solidified with the overall sound as possible. There is no doubt that the CAO is today one of the most ambitious and productive Big Bands active on the European scene, with a strong conceptual base of resident composers, brilliant instrumentalist and dedicated leadership, superbly implemented by Balcarova. This album is a schoolbook example of the intellectual capacity invested into a musical project, which not only works to the full effect, but also educates and sets an incredibly high standard to follow. On a personal note, I was deeply moved by this album since between my Father and myself we took part and observed those hundred years of Czech history up close. My Father studied engineering in Brno in the 1930s, since he was not allowed to study in his native Poland as a Jew. He had many Czech friends during his studies and sadly returned to Czechoslovakia as a prisoner of the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. After leaving Poland in 1967, I remember the ecstasy of the Prague Spring and the horror of the Invasion, the Velvet Revolution and my meetings with President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist during the dark days in prison and the happy days in the Prague Castle. His love of music and Jazz in particular strengthened our bond. Hearing his voice on this album was profoundly poignant. My thanks to all the people involved in creating this wonderful project!

Updated: 25/02/2021Posted: 25/02/2021

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BEATA HLAVENKOVA ~ MONODIE 2.0 NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 788792505957) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is an album by Czech Jazz pianist / vocalist / composer Beata HlavenkovaFind albums by this artist, recorded with vocalist Martin ProkesFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist / vocalist Vojta NydlFind albums by this artist, Russian (resident in Prague) guitarist Kirill YakovlevFind albums by this artist, Slovak trumpeter Oskar TorokFind albums by this artist, bassist Ratislav UhrikFind albums by this artist and the Pavel Borkovec String QuartetFind albums by this artist. The album includes fourteen tracks, all composed by Hlavenkova and arranged by Matej KroupaFind albums by this artist, which include texts / poetry by JQrFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Janek RuzickaFind albums by this artist), Jan SkacelFind albums by this artist, Vladimir HolanFind albums by this artist, Ljuba StiplovaFind albums by this artist, Hana ProskovaFind albums by this artist, Emily DickinsonFind albums by this artist and the late Czech President / poet / playwright Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist, whom I had the honor and pleasure to meet in person a few times. The attached booklet includes English translations of the original texts in Czech language. The album is of course a Jazz & Poetry project, although the music amalgamates both Jazz and Classical Music elements. The melodic substance is all insanely beautiful, lyrical and deeply melancholic, and as such perfectly fitting the carefully chosen poetic layer, which includes both contemporary and classic Czech poetry, except for the Dickinson poem, which is in similar mood and frame of mind. The vocal and instrumental performances are all exceptional, and despite the complexity and intensity of the entire enterprise, it offers a wonderful sense of continuity and clarity. Of course, as usual with projects involving texts in languages other than English, the immediate concern is the language barrier, which stands between a listener not familiar with the language in question and the textual layer of the project. I have already stated repeatedly, that for true music lovers, the language barrier becomes quite secondary in presence of the universality and the power of great Art, and certainly allows a full acceptance and enjoyment of this and many other similar albums, despite the language barrier. In many respects, this album is a quintessential summary of Hlavenkova’s Artistic journey, which she carefully and consistently developed during the last two decades. She is certainly “doing her own thing”, crossing genres and carefully avoiding fads of fashion, which is never an easy path. Overall, this is a wonderful album in every respect, carefully put together, brilliantly performed and despite the reflective subject matter, which mirrors the sad state of humanity, it is still able to be a balm on our soul. I am happy to know you, Milady, and thank you for your immense talent!

Updated: 31/03/2026Posted: 31/03/2026

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EMIL VIKLICKY ~ HOMAGE TO JOAN MIRO SUPRAPHON 11 0763 (Barcode: 8596911076323) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1987 Released: 1989 This is a beautiful album by the Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with saxophonist Frantisek KopFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and Slovak drummer Cyril ZelenakFind albums by this artist. The Talich String QuartetFind albums by this artist accompanies the quartet on the three-part suite, dedicated to the great Spanish / Catalan painter / sculptor Joan MiroFind albums by this artist. In addition to the suite, the album presents five tracks of quartet performances. All the music was composed by Viklicky, except one track composed by Uhlir and another by Czech bassist / composer Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist. It was Viklicky’s 4th album for the state owned (at the time) SupraphonFind albums on this label label. It was produced by my Friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist, now sadly departed. In addition to the obvious Classical elements involved in the music presented here, there are also many references to Czech Folklore, which is almost an omnipresent component of Viklicky’s music over time. The wonderful amalgam of all these influences and the modern Jazz approach produce a powerful impression on the listener and results in a timeless masterpiece, which sounds today as fresh as it did when first released. I have not heard this album since it was first released and managed to find a copy in a Prague second hand CD shop during my recent visit in town, which makes me very happy. In retrospect, the album is a great document of Eastern European Jazz in the late 1980s, which were a troubled time, but also full of hope for a great change, which was forthcoming. I recall my visit in Czechoslovakia and the meeting with future President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist, during his 1989 imprisonment, which made a great impression on me at the time. Those were certainly interesting times and the Czech music scene was bubbling with invention and new discoveries, which is perfectly reflected in the music on this album and many other albums recorded around this period. Of course the musicianship and the quality of the compositions are all superb, and as already mentioned, lost nothing of its great vigor and intellectual quality. Although seemingly quite “tamed”, the music is full of surprises, twists and turns and farsighted innovation, which spark with talent and a great love of the Jazz idiom. Overall, this is a beautiful album in every respect, a true classic full of great melodies, perfect swing and aesthetic, innovative Jazz Classical Fusion, all wrapped in an irresistible package. It is definitely worthy of an honorable place in any serious Jazz albums collection and a must for East European Jazz enthusiasts.

Updated: 22/08/2025Posted: 22/08/2025

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