Record Reviews

LUBOS ANDRST ~ CAPRICORNUS GALEN 16 089 (Barcode: 8594042900937) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2016 This is a reissue / remaster of the debut solo album by the Czech Jazz / Fusion guitarist / composer Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, recorded with a splendid team of musicians, including violinist Jan HrubyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Gabriel JonasFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Jiri VeselyFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan VitousFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Andrst. Andrst was a self-taught guitar virtuoso, who appeared on the local scene in late 1960s and by the 1970s became one of the leading guitar players in Czechoslovakia. He was a member of the legendary Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble and later formed the EnergitFind albums by this artist group (with keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist), which soon became one of the leading Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles behind the Iron Curtain. From the early 1980s on, following the recording of this debut album, which was still strongly Fusion oriented, Andrst’s musical orientation shifted toward Blues-Rock, which was his main interest until his death in 2021. The music on this album is absolutely exceptional, strongly rooted in Fusion, but offering a highly melodic / dreamy atmosphere, lengthy improvisations by both guitar and violin, and a superb musicianship by all the participants. It remains a classic of the era and sounds today every bit as impressive as it did at the time it was recorded. Overall, this is one of the most remarkable Czechoslovak Jazz / Fusion albums, unique due to its violin sound, which resembles early Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist recordings, and brilliant guitar work by Andrst. In many respects it is a hidden jewel and this reissue a godsend, although by now it is quite difficult to find. It is an absolute must to East European Jazz / Fusion fans and a timeless gem of an album. Unfortunately, the extensive liner notes of this reissue are in Czech language only. 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: 27/08/2025Posted: 27/08/2025

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GABRIEL JONAS ~ IMPRESIE / GENTLE RAIN OPUS 91 0125 (Barcode: 8584019012527) ~ SLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1990 Released: 2010 This wonderful reissue brings back to life two albums by the excellent Slovak pianist / composer Gabriel JonasFind albums by this artist. Jonas was active on the Czechoslovak scene and recorded his debut album with top Czech players at the time: saxophonist Petr KralFind albums by this artist, bassist Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist, drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jiri TomekFind albums by this artist. The album, which contains all (but one, which is by the bass player) original compositions is most impressive and truly beautiful and ranks among the best Jazz albums recorded in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. The second album, recorded twelve years later, is a solo piano recording, but uses also two overdubbed pianos, creating a piano duet effect. On that album Jonas plays mostly standards, except for two original compositions. His virtuosity and highly melodic approach are also clearly evident on this recordings. Together this set contains truly wonderful piano playing, which should delight Jazz connoisseurs all over the world.

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