Record Reviews

MARTIN KRATOCHVIL / JAZZ Q ~ TEMNE SLUNCE GAD 018 (Barcode: 5901549197204) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Soundtracks Recorded: 1979 - 1980 Released: 2014 This album presents the music by Czech composer / keyboardist Martin KratochvilFind albums by this artist, leader of the legendary ensemble Jazz QFind albums by this artist, which served as the soundtrack of the controversial movie "Temne Slunce", which was based on a novel by famous Czech novelist Karel CapekFind albums by this artist entitled "Krakatit". The novel (written in 1922) prophesizes the invention of nuclear weapons and is one of many prophetic science fiction works written by Capek, who belongs to the same category of science fiction giants as George OrwellFind albums by this artist and Aldous HuxleyFind albums by this artist. "Temne Slunce" was in fact a second redemption of a film based on the same novel and made by the same legendary Czech director Otakar VavraFind albums by this artist. The first, black and white version of the film from 1948 had the original title of the book and the second, color version from 1981 was entitled "Temne Slunce" ("Dark Sun"). Vavra, who used mostly the famous Czech cinematic composer Zdenek LiskaFind albums by this artist to create the soundtracks for the films he directed, entrusted the creation of the soundtrack in the hands of Kratochvil, following a recommendation by Liska, who spotted and appreciated the incredible talents of Kratochvil. The album includes thirty two, mostly short pieces, which are split into three groups: part one (eleven tracks) part two (fourteen tracks) and bonus material (the last seven tracks). The music is performed mostly by Kratochvil playing synthesizers with occasional participation of the Jazz Q members (guitarist Frantisek FranclFind albums by this artist, bassist Vladimir PadrunekFind albums by this artist and drummer Libor LaunFind albums by this artist) and other guest musicians. This is the first appearance of the film soundtrack on record. The music sounds astonishingly contemporary today, some three and a half decades after it was recorded, and in comparison to other ambient / electronic / atmospheric music created today it is much more intelligent and advanced than most of what is produced today. Kratochvil brilliantly explores the possibilities offered by the synthesizers, without moving into extreme territory and keeping melody, harmony and rhythm present even when the music is entirely ambient. His feel for the drama and the film´s context is equally masterful. In retrospect the film is mostly remembered as a propaganda piece presenting the Socialist side of the Cold War conflict (not less ridiculous than similar propaganda pieces produced on the other side of the Iron Curtain), which does great injustice to the original novel it is based on. At least the film´s soundtrack remains as superb example of film music, which is likely to stay with us for eternity. Remastered from the original master tapes the album sounds spectacularly and is another great tribute to the legacy of Martin Kratochvil and Jazz Q brought to us by GADFind albums on this label Records, for which we are, as usual, grateful.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend