Record Reviews

NAIMA ~ NAIMA INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 772 (Barcode: 8595026677227) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 - 1986 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the debut album by Czechoslovak Jazz quartet NaimaFind albums by this artist, which comprised of keyboardist Zdenek ZdenekFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Frantisek KopFind albums by this artist, bassist Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin SulcFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all composed by Zdenek except one co-composed by him and Honzak, recorded in 1985. These tracks were released as the debut LP only in 1988. This reissue adds three additional tracks, also composed by Zdenek, recorded in 1986 and produced by my great friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist (now sadly departed), released originally in 1986 (before the debut album was released) as part of a Various Artists compilation. One of these tracks features violinist Martin ZbrozekFind albums by this artist. 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). The group´s name originates of course from the title of the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist composition, suggested by Kop, who was a dedicated Coltrane follower. In the years that followed Naima released three more albums, following some lineup changes. The music is all melody based, offering mostly ballads, and quite typical of the 1980s European mainstream Jazz, with clear connections to the Jazz tradition but with an updated attitude and sound-wise often close to the European Fusion. The compositions are all well structured and prove that the second generation of the Czech Jazz scene was well versed in the Jazz idiom. The performances are also all excellent, especially those by Kop, who offers brilliant soprano and tenor saxophone soli, which drive the music forward. Zdenek plays fluent piano and synthesizer parts, technically perfect but a bit over-influenced by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s style. Honzak, a great bassist, adds the pulse, and only Sulc suffers from being way too low in the mix making his contributions hardy audible. Overall this album is a great listening experience, accessible to a wide audience, which still sounds great today. 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: 29/02/2020Posted: 29/02/2020

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FRANTISEK UHLIR ~ COMING HOME NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 8595017400155) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is a wonderful album by Czech bassist / composer / bandleader Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist, which celebrates his 75th Birthday. The album was recorded by the quartet called Frantisek Uhlir TeamFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. F.U.T.Find albums by this artist), which includes British (resident in Prague) saxophonist Andy SchofieldFind albums by this artist, pianist Standa MachaFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin SulcFind albums by this artist. On two tracks the quartet is joined by a string quartet, on one track the quartet is expanded to a quintet with the addition of trumpeter Mira HloucalFind albums by this artist, on another track the quartet is expanded to a septet and finally on one track the quartet is accompanied by the Czech Symphonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist. One of the tracks is dedicated to the legendary Czech musician Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist, leader of SHQFind albums by this artist. All the music was composed by Uhlir. The music is a delightful modern mainstream Jazz offering, which offers excellent compositions and brilliant performances by the team of musicians. The elegant string arrangements, the Jazz quartet, quintet and septet lineups and the final orchestral piece offer a splendid continuity, which is diverse sonically, but keeps the Jazz spirit afloat at all times. As usual on Uhlir’s albums, there are plenty of exquisite bass solos, which are the proverbial cherries on top and emphasize Uhlir’s incredible virtuosity, which shows no signs of aging, which I also had an opportunity to witness during my recent visit in Prague. Schofield plays some incredible saxophone and flute parts and has been a faithful companion to Uhlir’s music making since many years. His arrangement of the septet is masterful, as always. Overall, this is an elegant album, which offers pleasant mainstream Jazz of the highest quality, without compromising any Artistic or Aesthetic values. Uhlir’s vigorous and enthusiastic attitude towards Jazz suffered from no age related snags and his productivity and lightheartedness is still in full bloom. This is a wonderful present to celebrate your age (which I almost share), and I thank you my Friend for all that wonderful music you give us over the years and I am looking forward to enjoy many more such happy occasions!

Updated: 11/10/2025Posted: 10/10/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend