Record Reviews

VILEM SPILKA ~ PODVOD INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 726 (Barcode: 8595026672628) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by Czech Jazz guitarist / composer Vilem SpilkaFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which also includes saxophonist Radek ZapadloFind albums by this artist, bassist Vlastimil TrlloFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin KleiblFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight arrangements of songs written by veteran and prolific Czech singer / songwriter / guitarist Jan NedvedFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Honza NedvedFind albums by this artist). The arrangements smoothly transfer the original Folk / Pop material into modern mainstream Jazz and the wonderful melodies are preserved, with their lyricism and melancholy intact. The respectful treatment of the original material is of course a great virtue. The quartet members all perform impeccably, as expected, with the soloing divided between the leader and the saxophonist. Spilka plays excellent Jazz guitar, respectful of the Jazz guitar tradition and avoiding any Fusiony explorations, for which he deserves a special mention. Zapadlo plays tenor, alto and soprano saxophones with equal effectiveness, and changing the instrument adds to the variety of the music. The album, released by the Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label label from Brno, owned by Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, is beautifully recorded and packaged in a digibook format full of wonderful black & white photographs, a great example of elegance and aesthetics. Overall, this is a splendid listening experience of European Jazz, which offers great melodies and first-rate performances, accessible to a wide audience without compromising any qualities. Jazz guitar fans should be especially interested. Definitely worth being discovered!

Updated: 20/03/2022Posted: 20/03/2022

CD 1 Digibook Recommend To A Friend