Record Reviews

CONCEPT ART ORCHESTRA ~ VANOCE DOSPELYCH ANIMAL MUSIC 075 (Barcode: 8594155991617) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Xmas Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the fourth 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 (Eng. "Xmas For The Grownups"), this is a Xmas Jazz project, but it is completely original and different from most such endeavors. The album presents nine pieces, three of which are traditional Xmas Carrols, one is a 17th Century Classical composition and five are original compositions, all composed or arranged 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, four of which also play on the album. The Big Band, conducted by Balcarova, includes eighteen players with the obvious saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections. Three vocalists perform the lyrics (in Czech) to the five original pieces; written by Czech poets (Jan SkacelFind albums by this artist and Frana SramekFind albums by this artist) and other lyricists or in one case by Soukup, which also place this project in the proximity of the Jazz & Poetry idiom. The music is by far more Jazz oriented than other Xmas Jazz projects, with the full splendor of the Big Band dominating the proceedings. The compositions and the intricate arrangements create a multi-layered aural experience, in which the lyrics are just one aspect of the whole. The arrangements of the traditional Carrols and the Classical piece take them almost completely away from their original / usual environs, and are brilliant displays of the artistry of transposing music between genres, in this case sounding like Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist´s standards rather than European folkloristic themes. And yet the Big Band manages to keep the Xmas Spirit of the music intact due to a highly creative sensibility. The three Carrols are placed in tandem, creating a sort of mini suite, standing somewhat apart from the original compositions, but still being an organic part of the entire project. Throughout the album the Big Band members get plenty of opportunity to solo and the performances as a whole are absolutely superb from start to finish. The Orchestra sounds collectively as one organic body and such level of mutual respect and cooperation is awe inspiring. The vocals are also splendidly executed, with obvious respect to both the text and the music. Even for non Czech speaking listeners these vocals are perfectly communicative, at least on the emotional level. Overall this is a superb piece of music, not only for Big Band buffs, but also all other connoisseurs of orchestral music, which always amazes with its sheer power of expression. For me it is definitely the most well rounded creation by the CAO and as such it is of course highly recommended. My sincere thanks to Stepanka Balcarova for sharing this music with me and I wish her many fruitful musical achievements in the future. Well done Milady and all the people who make Czech Jazz such a wonderful experience!

Updated: 06/11/2020Posted: 05/11/2020

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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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