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  | ENERGIT ~ ENERGIT (EXPANDED EDITION)
GAD 220 (Barcode: 5903068123283) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 - 1976 Released: 2022
This is a 2CD reissue of the debut album by the Czechoslovak Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist. It is a brilliant document of the music scene, which thrived in Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain, in all the so-called "Socialist" countries, and was every bit as interesting, groundbreaking and visionary as anything else happening at the same time in Western Europe or the USA. In spite of political pressures, artistic censorship and economic hardships, with very limited access to recordings from the West, decent equipment or proper recording facilities, these young and ambitious musicians were exploding with ideas and boldly exploring new territories. The resulting music created at the time remains completely relevant today and should be rediscovered by young audiences, as it lost absolutely nothing of its power and intellectual quality.
Energit was formed by the brilliant guitarist Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, after he left the legendary Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble, joining forces with two excellent young musicians from another legendary ensemble SHQFind albums by this artist: keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist. The lineup was completed by bassist Jan VytrhlikFind albums by this artist and alternating drummers: Karel JencikFind albums by this artist, Anatoli KohoutFind albums by this artist and Josef VojevodaFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Jiri TomekFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. Andrst wrote all of the original material performed by the ensemble, which although Blues influenced, was at the time centered on the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, similar in sound and obviously influenced mostly by Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but also by Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist or Weather ReportFind albums by this artist.
The first CD presents the original album, which offers five tracks, with the opening 17+ minutes long and the closing tracks being parts of a suite. The second CD presents seven tracks of bonus material, two recorded live, four originating from a radio broadcast and one from a TV broadcast, from which four are previously unreleased. The reissue is accompanied by extensive bi-lingual liner notes, as usual with the superb GADFind albums on this label Record releases, which cover the group’s history and other background information.
Overall, this is some of the best Eastern European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which should not be missed by any connoisseur of the genre, especially those interested in music originating from behind the Iron Curtain. A must!
| | Updated: 23/12/2022Posted: 23/12/2022 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENERGIT ~ ENERGIT / PIKNIK (CZECHOSLOVAK JAZZ-ROCK EXPANDED EDITION)
INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 626 (Barcode: 8595026662629) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 - 1978 Released: 2008
This wonderful reissue collects all the recordings by the Czechoslovak ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist. It is a brilliant document of the music scene, which thrived in Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain, in all the so-called "Socialist" countries, and was every bit as interesting, groundbreaking and visionary as anything else happening at the same time in Western Europe or the USA. In spite of political pressures, artistic censorship and economic hardships, with very limited access to recordings from the West, decent equipment or proper recording facilities, these young and ambitious musicians were exploding with ideas and boldly exploring new territories. The resulting music created at the time remains completely relevant today and should be rediscovered by young audiences, as it lost absolutely nothing of its power and intellectual quality.
Energit was formed by the brilliant guitarist Lubos AndrstFind albums by this artist, after he left the legendary Jazz QFind albums by this artist ensemble, joining forces with two excellent young musicians from another legendary ensemble SHQFind albums by this artist: keyboardist Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist. The lineup was completed by bassist Jan VytrhlikFind albums by this artist and drummer Karel JencikFind albums by this artist. Andrst wrote most of the all-original material performed by the ensemble, which although Blues influenced, was at the time centered on the Jazz-Rock idiom, similar in sound to the early Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist.
For the second album Viklicky was replaced by Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the brass arrangement used on that album, and Jencik was replaced by Jaromir HelesicFind albums by this artist.
The bonus material includes an ultra-rare EP, a track released previously on a compilation album and some archival live recordings. In retrospect this is some of the best Eastern European Jazz-Rock, which should not be missed by any connoisseur of the genre. A must!
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 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHQ ~ JAZZ NON-FABLES
INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 735 (Barcode: 8595026673526) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2016
This is the last of a series of eight reissue / archival albums presenting the recorded legacy of one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble. 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).
This album presents material captured during recording sessions in June 1972 by a quintet version of SHQ, which included Velebny playing vibraphone and saxophone, saxophonist Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist (future member of the legendary Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist, bassist Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. The ten tracks that were recorded during these sessions were released as a LP and included only original compositions, two each by the quintet members.
The music is stunningly beautiful, full of great melodic themes and a rather mystic atmosphere, The sound of the ensemble is clearly influenced by the Jazz-Rock Fusion, which was a very strong influence on the East European Jazz at the time, although the instruments, except for the electric piano and bass, are still acoustic. It is the somewhat Rocky rhythmic direction that takes this music towards Fusion.
In retrospect this album is often mentioned as one of the most important recordings of Czechoslovak Jazz and remains a milestone recording of the Eastern European Jazz in the 1970, firmly belonging to the same holy grail category as the best albums released at the time in Poland, as part of the "Polish Jazz" series. The fact that this music remained unreleased on CD for so long was a Cultural crime. His later recordings from the 1980s are rather incidental or compilations of archival material.
This is also sadly the last important album recorded by Velebny and his SHQ, since he gradually retired from recording and concentrated on Jazz pedagogy, of which he was a great pioneer, and work with theatre as writer, actor and activist. He died in 1989, sadly before the "Velvet Revolution" freed the country from the Socialist regime, a freedom he was not allowed to enjoy.
For fans of European Jazz and its history, the entire series is an absolute must, and the fact that most of this music is available on CD for the first time makes it an absolute treasure. Absolutely brilliant!
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: 28/02/2020Posted: 28/02/2020 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHQ ~ KAREL VELEBNY & COMPANY
RADIOSERVIS 0398 (Barcode: 8590236039827) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1963 - 1976 Released: 2008
The legendary multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist is universally recognized as the Godfather of post-WWII Czechoslovak Jazz. His ceaseless activity as a player, bandleader and educator resulted in raising generations of Jazz players in the country, many of which continued to become leaders of their own later on. His ensembles, usually called SHQFind albums by this artist, incorporated over the years the absolute who´s who of the Czechoslovak (and later Czech) scene. His contributions as a teacher and educator were also invaluable. This compilation by the Czech Broadcasting Corporation presents a series of radio recordings by Velebny´s SHQ ensemble in the 1960s and 1970s, all previously unreleased, which of course is a great treat to lovers of Czechoslovak Jazz. The names of the participating musicians include flautist / saxophonist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist and Petr KralFind albums by this artist, pianists Karel RuzickaFind albums by this artist and Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, bassists Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist, Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist, drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist and many more. Most of the music is original with just four standards out of the thirteen tracks on this album. This is a Jazz history treasure and any fan of Czechoslovak Jazz will find this album as indispensable. A must!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHQ ~ MOTUS
INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 734 (Barcode: 8595026673427) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2016
This is the seventh of a series of eight reissue / archival albums presenting the recorded legacy of one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble. 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).
This album presents material captured during recording sessions in February and March 1971 by a quartet version of SHQ, which included Velebny playing exclusively the vibraphone, saxophonist Rudolf TichacekFind albums by this artist (future member of the legendary Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble EnergitFind albums by this artist), bassists Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist or Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. The eleven tracks that were recorded during these sessions were released as a LP and included only original compositions, five by Velebny, three by Josef Vejvoda, two by Tichacek and one by Korinek.
The music is absolutely brilliant and presents the epitome of East European Jazz, full of the Slavic lyricism and melancholy that characterize Jazz originating from that part of the Old Continent. The tunes, although melody based, offer sophisticated harmonic structures and quirky rhythmic patterns, which keep changing frequently and keep the listener on edge.
The fact that Velebny concentrates on playing the vibraphone creates a solid, unified sound and feel throughout the album, in spite of its diverse musical content. Since the vibraphone is relatively rarely used as the main instrument, in addition to Velebny´s idiosyncratic style, create perhaps the most focused showcase ever recorded of his vibraphone playing.
In retrospect this album is a milestone recording of the Eastern European Jazz in the 1970, and firmly belongs to the same holy grail category as the best albums released at the time in Poland, as part of the "Polish Jazz" series. The fact that this music remained unreleased on CD for so long was a Cultural crime.
For fans of European Jazz and its history, the entire series is an absolute must, and the fact that most of this music is available on CD for the first time makes it an absolute treasure. Absolutely brilliant!
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: 28/02/2020Posted: 28/02/2020 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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