Record Reviews

JANA KOUBKOVA ~ BOSA GALEN 19 148 (Barcode: 8594042901576) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of a wonderful album by Czech Jazz vocalist Jana KoubkovaFind albums by this artist, which is basically a solo vocal recording using multi-tracked voice and a plethora of magnificent vocalese paraphernalia, with a limited instrumental accompaniment supplied mainly by percussion Master Alan VitousFind albums by this artist (yes the brother of Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist) and involving also pianists Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist and Zdenek KalhousFind albums by this artist, bassists Alexej CharvatFind albums by this artist and Vit FialaFind albums by this artist and a few others playing percussion instruments as well as a chorus adding "background noises". The album presents seven original compositions by Koubkova and a medley of songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, which is the title track. This remastered edition offers superb sound quality. The music is an absolute revelation, showing the infinite musical potential achievable by using the human voice in an instrumental capacity. Obviously somewhat similar to the work by other Jazz vocalist exploring this direction like Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, Lauren NewtonFind albums by this artist and others, Koubkova´s approach is unique in many ways, not only because of the use of percussion accompaniment but also vocally and conceptually. It is perhaps less Avant-Garde oriented than what the a.m. vocalists demonstrated and more melodic, but surely not less challenging or innovative. This album is an important instructional tool for contemporary young Jazz vocalists, who sadly rarely take a step beyond the beaten tracks of standard vocal approach, repeating the tradition ad nauseam rather than exploring new possibilities. It appears that there is much to be learned from the past. The album also demonstrates the incredibly high level of musicianship behind the Iron Curtain, which despite the hardships of censorship and political domination of the Socialist regime managed to flourish, often not less impressively then what was happening in the West. Czechoslovakia and Poland led the evolution / revolution of the European Jazz idiom in Eastern Europe and produced a monumental body of recorded music over time, and contained to do so after the liberation from the Socialist shackles, with a vengeance. 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: 01/06/2020Posted: 01/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered 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