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  | 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 |
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