Record Reviews

CELLULA INTERNATIONAL ~ JAZZISSIMO INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 632 (Barcode: 8595026663220) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 Released: 2008 Trumpeter / composer / bandleader Laco DecziFind albums by this artist is one of the founding fathers of Czechoslovak Jazz. He has been active on the local scene since the 1960s, leading many excellent ensembles, which included the best local players and often also guest from abroad. The names of his ensemble changed often, usually being a variation on the Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist motif (like Jazz CelulaFind albums by this artist, Cellula InternationalFind albums by this artist, etc.). This album presents the ensemble in a quintet format, with two guest musicians from the USA: trombonist Sonny CostanzoFind albums by this artist and drummer Dave WecklFind albums by this artist (before his rise to fame) and two Czech players: guitarist Zdenek DvorakFind albums by this artist and bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist. This is a live recording in a Prague Jazz club. They perform three original compositions, two of which are by the leader, and two standards. The performances are excellent from start to finish and this is a first-rate document of the Jazz behind the Iron Curtain at the time. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 28/02/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

RUDOLF DASEK ~ JAZZ ON SIX STRINGS INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 771 (Barcode: 8595026677128) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the debut album as a leader by legendary Czech Jazz guitarist / composer Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970 and produced by my great friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist (now sadly departed), which finds him in a trio setting with bassist Vincenc KummerFind albums by this artist and drummer Ivan SmazikFind albums by this artist. On a couple of tracks bass guitarist Lubos NyvltFind albums by this artist is added. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are original compositions by Dasek and four are Jazz standards. All the music is beautifully remastered and the album comes with extensive liner notes, extremely well researched and full of discographical information, sadly only in Czech language (which works fine for me, but probably less so for other enthusiasts who also might be interested). Although Dasek recorded earlier on with various Czechoslovak ensembles, including SHQFind albums by this artist and Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist, this album has put him in the focus of attention as one of the greatest Jazz virtuosos of the time, easily equaling famous "classic" Jazz guitarists active since the 1950s on, but also standing shoulder to shoulder with the pioneering European contemporaries like John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, Christian EscoudeFind albums by this artist and others. Numerous album releases followed in time, many of which were duo recordings, which appears to be his favorite modus operandi, and all of which are masterpieces. The music is absolutely astounding, both the interpretations of the standards and the original compositions, superbly performed by the trio / quartet, with elegance, flair and typical European elegance presiding at the helm. The virtuosic performances by Dasek are heaven on earth for guitar lovers and the musical environment where every single note played relates perfectly to the notes played before and after, which always characterizes Dasek´s performances, is a rare treat. The album sounds completely contemporary and is perfectly valid today, despite the fact that it was recorded half a Century ago, easily deserving the "timeless classic" status. For fans of European Jazz and its history, reissues of this kind are an absolute must, and the fact that this music is available on CD for the first time makes it a wonderful treasure. Brilliant stuff! My personal thanks to Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, the owner of Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label, for his friendship and the incredible job he is doing to keep this music alive! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 01/03/2020Posted: 29/02/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LACO DECZI / JAZZ CELLULA ~ PIETOSO INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 629 (Barcode: 8595026662926) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008 This is a wonderful early album by trumpeter Laco DecziFind albums by this artist and his Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist ensemble, which includes the best Czechoslovak Jazz musicians of that period: saxophonist Petr KralFind albums by this artist, pianist Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, bassist Pavel GreifonerFind albums by this artist and drummer Laco TroppFind albums by this artist. Deczi, one of the forefathers of modern Czechoslovak Jazz, made a most significant contribution to the local scene over the years and is still active today. The album, which is a classic Jazz quintet setting, presents eight compositions, four of which are originals (by Deczi and Kral) and the other four are Jazz standards. The overall atmosphere, as the title suggests, is deeply lyrical and melancholic, which is hardly surprising as the album was recorded just a few months following the brutal suppression of the Prague Spring movement, culminating with the military occupation of the country by the Warsaw Pact forces in August of 1968, which has shaken the fabric of the Czechoslovak society beyond recognition. The Czech intellectuals and artist bravely continued their activities, often risking personal retributions and even jail sentences, and had to wait for over two more decades to win their freedom from the Socialist regime, reaching some amazing Cultural accomplishment during those dark years. Deczi and his cohorts perform beautifully, delivering some impressive solos and cooperating wonderfully as a unit. Deczi´s trumpet virtuosity is simply astounding, with a modern sound and tonal approach equal to the most advanced parallel output of American and West European trumpeters of the day. The album as a whole is an excellent example of East European Jazz at its best, and similar to many recordings of Polish Jazz made at the same period. This reissue of the album, which has been unavailable for almost forty years, is a celebration of the Czechoslovak Jazz history and a most welcome reminder of how good and the music was at the time. It is an absolute must for all East European Jazz connoisseurs! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 28/02/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ CELLULA ~ LACO DECZI INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 631 (Barcode: 8595026663121) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2008 Trumpeter / composer / bandleader Laco DecziFind albums by this artist is one of the founding fathers of Czechoslovak Jazz. He has been active on the local scene since the 1960s, leading many excellent ensembles, which included the best local players and often also guest from abroad. The names of his ensemble changed often, usually being a variation on the Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist motif (like Jazz CelulaFind albums by this artist, Cellula InternationalFind albums by this artist, etc.). This album presents the ensemble in a septet format, same as the one which recorded their previous album "Ohen Az PozarFind albums with this title", with superb lineup including saxophonist Petr KralFind albums by this artist, trombonist Svatopluk KosvanecFind albums by this artist, pianist Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Zdenek DvorakFind 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. They perform seven original compositions, three of which are by the leader, and all are quite excellent with a slight Fusion / Latin tinge, as appropriate for the period of the recording. The performances are excellent from start to finish and this is a first-rate document of the Jazz behind the Iron Curtain at the time. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 28/02/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ CELULA ~ OHEN AZ POZAR INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 630 (Barcode: 8595026663022) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2008 Trumpeter / composer / bandleader Laco DecziFind albums by this artist is one of the founding fathers of Czechoslovak Jazz. He has been active on the local scene since the 1960s, leading many excellent ensembles, which included the best local players and often also guest from abroad. The names of his ensemble changed often, usually being a variation on the Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist motif (like Jazz CelulaFind albums by this artist, Cellula InternationalFind albums by this artist, etc.). This album presents the ensemble in a septet format, with superb lineup including saxophonist Petr KralFind albums by this artist, trombonist Svatopluk KosvanecFind albums by this artist, pianist Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Zdenek DvorakFind 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. They perform eight original compositions, three of which are by the leader, and all are quite excellent with a slight Fusion tinge, as appropriate for the period of the recording. The performances are excellent from start to finish and this is a first-rate document of the Jazz behind the Iron Curtain at the time. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 28/02/2020Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KAREL RUZICKA ~ GARDEN OF SILENCE ANIMAL MUSIC 086 (Barcode: 8594155998739) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2020 This is a solo piano album by Czech pianist / composer / educator Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, which sadly is the last recorded evidence of his career, recorded six years before his untimely passing in 2016 and released posthumously ten years after the recording. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Ruzicka. Ruzicka was one of the Godfathers of the Czech Jazz scene, active for over five decades first during the early days of the modern Czechoslovak Jazz, as member of the Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist´s SHQFind albums by this artist, Laco DecziFind albums by this artist´s Jazz CellulaFind albums by this artist and many others. He debuted in 1972 with the excellent "Karel Ruzicka + 9Find albums with this title" album and followed with several notable recordings over the years, the most relevant in this context being his debut solo piano album "Pleasure Garden" from 1981. These two albums, recorded almost three decades apart, form a beautiful continuance that portrays Ruzicka´s career and the most significant characteristics of his music: incredible sense of melody, typical elegance and great respect of European Classical tradition, which were always the "pillar of fire" of his approach to composing music. In many respects this album is a superb closure to his career, offering some of his deepest and most profound compositions, a serenity that comes only with age, and his deep love of the European musical aesthetics. Although the compositions on the albums offer stylistic diversity, the music is unified by the composer´s coherency and idiosyncratic vocabulary. Combined with the superb execution the music soars and vibrates the listener´s soul strings. I have been fortunate to meat Karel Ruzicka several times over the years and listen to his performances live, which was always a profoundly moving experience. Ruzicka was one of the most important Jazz educators in the Czech Republic in the last decades of his life and he is definitely "responsible" for the incredible flux of greatly talented young Czech musicians, who are truly "making waves" on the European scene in the last decade or so. This album is a beautiful tribute to this great Master! For solo piano Jazz music lovers this album is a true revelation and obviously a wholehearted recommendation. European Jazz connoisseurs in general are also in for a rare treat!

Updated: 19/10/2020Posted: 19/10/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend