Record Reviews

LUBOS SOUKUP ~ AMBER RAILS ANIMAL MUSIC 152 (Barcode: 8594211850810) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2026 Released: 2026 This is an album by Czech Jazz saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Lubos SoukupFind albums by this artist, which marks his return home after several years of residence in Denmark, and features Czech Jazz musicians: pianist Jiri LevicekFind albums by this artist, legendary bassist Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist, and drummer Jakub SvejnarFind albums by this artist. Two guitarists appear as guests on selected tracks: Czech David DoruzkaFind albums by this artist and Danish Casper HejlesenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions by Soukup. The music is a wonderful collection of Modern Jazz compositions, full of the typical Czech melancholy and lyricism, which are almost immediately recognizable to Czech Jazz lovers. All the participants are excellent and highly experienced musicians, and the presence of Honzak, one of Czech Jazz Godfathers and former leader of ensembles, which included Soukup as a member, represents an ideal closing circle of generations, which of course happens on every Jazz scene in time. My fascination with the Czech Jazz scene started several decades ago and has always been one of the most satisfactory experiences, as it produced a distinguished league of great Jazz performers and composers, which keeps the embers glowing. This album is a typical example of the creativity and class of the Czech Jazz scene, which sadly is seldom recognized outside its borders, but truly deserves a wider recognition, despite its limited scope. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of excellent compositions and high-class performances, which spearhead the European Jazz aesthetics, and offers a universal Cultural experience, wholeheartedly recommended to those Jazz lovers, who have not yet discovered the treasures of the Czech Jazz scene.

Updated: 04/11/2026Posted: 04/11/2026

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