Record Reviews

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

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FRANTISEK UHLIR ~ STORY OF MY LIFE NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 8595017400124) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is an album by Czech Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist, recorded in a septet setting with trumpeter Frantisek TomsicekFind albums by this artist, trombonist Premek TomsicekFind albums by this artist, British (resident in Prague) saxophonists Andy SchofieldFind albums by this artist and Suzanne HigginsFind albums by this artist, pianist Standa MachaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek UrbanekFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, which are, as the title suggests, a prologue and seven parts of a suite celebrating his seventieth birthday and dedicated to the various chapters in his life, all composed by Uhlir. Schofield arranged the music on three of the tracks. Uhlir has been a prominent figure on the Czech Jazz scene since decades and his extensive recorded legacy, both as a leader and as sidemen, presents a magnificent heritage, full of excellent music. His bass playing is firmly based in the Jazz tradition and he is part of the famous Czech Jazz bass school, along such Jazz luminaries as Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist, George MrazFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Jiri MrazFind albums by this artist) and more recently Jaromir HonzakFind albums by this artist. His brilliant technique and unique touch are often compared to that of the most celebrated bassists like Scott LaFaroFind albums by this artist or Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely delightful, from start to finish, modern mainstream Jazz with strongly melodic themes, great arrangements and of course superb performances by all participants. The septet lineup enables an “almost Big Band” feeling and the music swings beautifully. Uhlir’s bass is quite dominant in the mix, which enables the listener to hear his virtuosic parts for the entire duration, during his solo parts but no less importantly when he accompanies the other players, always listening attentively and keeping the music firmly in check. Overall, this is a true classic example of perfect mainstream modern Jazz, based on wonderfully coherent melodic compositions and performed with great feeling and passion. Thank you for the music my Friend, and I hope you can celebrate the next “round” birthday with another album, which does not mean of course that you can’t make albums before that date. Hope to see you again soon!

Updated: 01/09/2025Posted: 01/09/2025

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