Record Reviews

KAREL RUZICKA ~ KAREL RUZICKA + 9 GALEN 19 144 (Barcode: 8594042901538) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the superb debut album by the Czech keyboardist / composer / bandleader Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, recorded with nine additional top Czech musicians active at the time: flautists / saxophonists Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and Jiri ValekFind albums by this artist, trombonists Svatopluk KosvanecFind albums by this artist and Zdenek PulecFind albums by this artist, French horn player Milos PetrFind albums by this artist, tuba player Petr FleischerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, bassist Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. Together they play nine original compositions four composed by Ruzicka, two each by Valek and Dasek and one by Vejvoda. The music is all mainstream Jazz oriented, based on melodic compositions and wonderfully arranged for the large ensemble. It swings brilliantly and showcases the individual musicians soloing extensively. Ruzicka plays piano and organ with the same proficiency and effectiveness. One of the tracks is a beautiful quartet piece (flute / guitar / bass / percussion), which offers a haunting melody line and typical Eastern European melancholy, being one of the highlights of the album. Ruzicka recorded many wonderful albums which followed this debut and was an important figure on the Czech scene until his death in 2016. This album is an important part of his recorded legacy and reflects the excellent level of Jazz that flourished behind the Iron Curtain. This remastered edition is the first time this album appears on CD and it is great to see it back in circulation. For the followers of East European Jazz scene this is a highly recommended piece of the puzzle, worth investigating. 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: 09/06/2020Posted: 09/06/2020

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend