Record Reviews

IMPULS ~ IMPULS (CZECHOSLOVAK JAZZ-ROCK EXPANDED EDITION) INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 628 (Barcode: 8595026662827) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1977 Released: 2008 This wonderful reissue collects all the recordings by the Czechoslovak ensemble ImpulsFind 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. Impuls was formed by three young and talented Jazz musicians: keyboardist Pavel KostiukFind albums by this artist, guitarist Zdenek FiserFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Michal GeraFind albums by this artist. They were joined by brilliant bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaromir HelesicFind albums by this artist. The three founding members contributed their original compositions, which were the core of the ensemble´s material, but sometimes they also played standards. Impuls was the most Jazzy of all the Czech Jazz-Rock ensembles and the level of their performances and compositions is truly stellar. The bonus material includes an ultra-rare EP and tracks released previously on compilation albums. 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 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ Q ~ AMULET STUDIO BUDIKOV 038 (Barcode: 8594159980389) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020 This is an album by Czech Fusion ensemble Jazz QFind albums by this artist founded in 1964 (yes you are reading correctly) and led by veteran keyboardist / composer Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist and here including guitarist Zdenek FiserFind albums by this artist (another veteran ex ImpulsFind albums by this artist), bass guitarist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist (yet another veteran and member of early versions of Jazz Q) and drummer Filip JenicekFind albums by this artist (a representative of the young generation). The album presents thirteen original compositions, ten of which were composed by Kratochvil and one each by the other three members of the ensemble. The music is a typical Jazz-Rock Fusion, based on the excellent compositions of the "forever young" Kratochvil, which offers splendidly weaved melodic themes, which serve as basis for extensive soloing by keyboards and guitar, supported amicably by the rhythm section, with occasional soli by bass and drums. There is not much innovation of course, but Fusion has been pretty stable in the last five decades, so the genre´s lovers prefer to stay on the safe side. Kratochvil seems to be completely time defiant and his music sounds as fresh and full of his idiosyncratic tricky melodies as he was half a Century ago and it is a true joy to see (and hear) a veteran musician to be so stable and productive over the years. Fusion and guitar freaks should love this album to bits and are encouraged to find a copy, since they don´t make music like this anymore these days, and it still makes you ass swing impatiently, which is the greatest thing any music can do, especially if played by musician in the eighth decade of his life. Hats off Maestro!

Updated: 22/01/2021Posted: 22/01/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ Q ~ OXYMORON STUDIO BUDIKOV 042 (Barcode: 8594159980426) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is an album by the Czech Fusion ensemble Jazz QFind albums by this artist, which functions over sixty years since it was established in 1964 by keyboardist / composer / bandleader Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist. The current lineup of the group includes also guitarist Zdenek FiserFind albums by this artist, bassist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist and drummer Filip JenicekFind albums by this artist. This time Kratochvil brought on board an old friend and key figure on the Czech Jazz scene, pianist / composer / arranger and leader of the Prague Big BandFind albums by this artist, Milan SvobodaFind albums by this artist, who arranged ten original compositions, all by Kratochvil, which were previously released on various Jazz Q albums over time, adding the Big Band touch. The music was recorded in Kratochvil’s own studio, which functions since many years. The music, although previously released, offers a new exposure to the wonderful collection of melodic themes, deeply soaked in Blues and offering a genuine Fusion tradition, with extensive guitar and keyboards soloing and dynamic, highly supportive rhythm section, which is a true heaven for lovers of the genre. The Big Band arrangements expand the sound and feel of the music into the Brass Rock and Big Band Jazz genres, and are absolutely lovely, thanks to Svoboda’s superb contribution. Despite his advanced age (almost eighty years young), Kratochvil remains forever young, and his heart-wrenching melodies and virtuosic keyboard solos are completely ageless. He sticks to his own formula since many years, and the “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” rule serves him perfectly well. Although the music has a distinct nostalgic tinge, the result is way more effective than what Fusion music has to offer these days. With the new Big Band arrangements, the music gets another exposure, in a different aesthetics, which should bring new listeners to Kratochvil’s music. Overall, this is an excellent Fusion album, which sounds as if it was recorded in the 1970s, but still sounds fresh and exciting, especially to listeners who grew up listening to Fusion at that time. The guitar and keyboards licks are right on the money and it should be a no-brainer to grab a copy ASAP. I wish you health and happiness my Friend and hope to hear more of your music again soon!

Updated: 05/04/2025Posted: 05/04/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ Q ~ RITUAL STUDIO BUDIKOV 040 (Barcode: 8594159980402) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by the Czech Fusion ensemble Jazz QFind albums by this artist, which functions almost sixty years since it was established in 1964 by keyboardist / composer / bandleader Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist. The current lineup of the group includes also guitarist Zdenek FiserFind albums by this artist, bassist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist and drummer Filip JenicekFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Kratochvil, and was recorded in his own studio, which functions since many years. The music offers a wonderful collection of melodic themes, deeply soaked in Blues and offering a genuine Fusion tradition, with extensive guitar and keyboards soloing and dynamic, highly supportive rhythm section, which is a true heaven for lovers of the genre. Despite his advanced age (approaching eighty), Kratochvil remains forever young, and his heart-wrenching melodies and virtuosic keyboard solos are completely ageless. He sticks to his own formula since many years, and the “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” rule serves him perfectly well. Although the music has a distinct nostalgic tinge, the result is way more effective than what Fusion music has to offer these days. Overall, this is an excellent Fusion album, which sounds as if it was recorded in the 1970s, but still sounds fresh and exciting, especially to listeners who grew up listening to Fusion at that time. The guitar and keyboards licks are right on the money and it should be a no-brainer to grab a copy ASAP. I wish you health and happiness my Friend and hope to hear more of your music again soon!

Updated: 13/03/2023Posted: 13/03/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAZZ Q ~ TALISMAN STUDIO BUDIKOV 030 (Barcode: 8594159980303) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an album by Czech Fusion ensemble Jazz QFind albums by this artist founded in 1964 (yes you are reading correctly) and led by veteran keyboardist / composer Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist and here including guitarist Zdenek FiserFind albums by this artist (another veteran ex ImpulsFind albums by this artist), bass guitarist Premysl FauknerFind albums by this artist (yet another veteran and member of early versions of Jazz Q) and drummer Filip JenicekFind albums by this artist (a representative of the young generation). The album presents twelve original compositions, all of which were composed by Kratochvil. This album follows the album “ZnovuFind albums with this title” (Eng. Again), released three years earlier, which was the first Jazz Q release in over two decades. The music is a typical Eastern European Jazz-Rock Fusion, based on the excellent compositions of the "forever young" Kratochvil, which offers splendidly weaved melodic themes, full of melancholy and lyricism, which serve as basis for extensive soloing by keyboards and guitar, supported amicably by the rhythm section, with occasional soli by bass and drums. There is not much innovation of course, but Fusion has been pretty stable in the last five decades, since the genre´s lovers prefer to stay on the safe side. This music combines highly melodic approach with Funk and Groove, which is quite unique. The fretless bass guitar parts work brilliantly within this idiom and provide a perfect background layer for the synthesizer and guitar parts. Kratochvil seems to be completely time defiant and his music sounds as fresh and full of his idiosyncratic tricky melodies as he was half a Century ago and it is a true joy to see (and hear) a veteran musician to be so stable and productive over the years. Fusion and guitar freaks should love this album to bits and are encouraged to find a copy, since they don´t make music like this anymore these days. It is hard to believe that this music was created and played by a musician in the eighth decade of his life. Hats off Maestro!

Updated: 03/02/2021Posted: 03/02/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend