'WIZARD -
Rare Gems From
Czechoslovakian Vaults vol 2'

Various Artists

CD release from Cosmic Sounds London of rare jazz tracks compiled from the archives of Supraphon and Panton labels.

Extract from sleeve notes:

SHQ "Cubano Chant" (Ray Bryant)
Joachim Kuhn - p,
Zdenek Pulec - tbn,
Rudolf Dasek - g,
Jan Konopasek - fl,
Laco Tropp -ds
What to say? It's a classic. And just when you think you've heard all the versions here is another one with Velebny's SHQ and friends giving us true Cuban spirit recreated in Czechoslovakia in mid 60's. Hard Jazz dance. Should I say the best version so far? Judge by yourself.

JAZZ CELULA "Ohen, Az Pozar" (Laco Deci)
Very original percussion intro develops into Spanish style Jazz with strong danceable rhythm driving all the way through.

MILAN SVOBODA "Wait For Me" (M. Svoboda)
Milan Svoboda & Prague Big Band with guests:
Jiri Stivin, Jindrich Nemecek - as
Vladimir Tymich, Petr Kodi - ts
Jiri Tomek - conga
Soloists:
Jaroslav Solc - fl,
Emil Viklicky - p.
The track that I haven't noticed in the beginning and one day it just struck me, especially flute and keyboard solos so I had to play it again and again. Very seductive main theme. Soft, rolling Fusion.

KAMIL HALA "Dew Drop" (Kamil Hala)
Jazz Orchestra of Czechoslovakian Radio cond. Kamil Hala.
After 1.5 min of mellow ballad intro band starts firing up. Big Band Fusion at it's best. Rather smooth melancholic but powerful sound of Laco Deci's trumpet tells a beautiful story while the solid big band section keeps the rhythm rolling. All big names are here :Laco Deci, Karel Ruzicka, Josef Vejvoda,Petr Kral, Jiri Tomek and many more.

GUSTAV BROM ORCHESTRA "Dance For Two" (Josef Audeus)
Same as many other Eastern European tracks this one has a tripy spiritual intro. Shortly it develops into solid rhythm Jazz with a funky bass line, "Shaft" style wah-wah guitar and catchy main theme on sax. Sax then goes into solo supported by powerful big band section. And as the title say, it's a perfect for dancing.

JAZZ Q "Wizard" (Martin Kratochvil)
This was the first ever Czechoslovakian track that I heard being played in London's clubs and on radio. This is part two from a 16 min track. Fire-ing Fusion with strong West Coast influence. I am sure you've heard it before. Classic!

JAZZ Q "Presage" (Martin Kratochvil)
Another killer tune by JAZZ Q with excellent vocals. I guess it never got enough exposure in Jazz circles because of rock guitar solo in first part. but second part deserves everyone's attention.

GUSTAV BROM ORCHESTRA "Memory" (S. Shterev)
Smooth spiritual ballad with Simeon Shterev on flute and solid rhythm section tells a beautiful story that develops into hard Jazz Fusion and then smoothes again. Mystic and hypnotic atmosphere. Makes you float away.

Compiled by ZELJKO KERLETA

All tracks recorded in Czechoslovakia on Supraphon and *Panton labels:
(A1) LP "(S+H)Q+FRIENDS", 1966; *(A2) LP "OHEN, AZ POZAR" 1976; (A3) LP "POSTE RESTANTE" 1982, rec. 1981; (A4) LP "JUBILEUM" 1980, rec. 1978-79; (B1) LP "POZDRAV ORKESTRU" 1979, rec. 1977; (B2) LP "SYMBIOSYS" 1973; (B3) LP "BAZAREM PROMEN" 1973; (B4) LP "POZDRAV ORKESTRU" 1979, rec. 1976

USD 19.99

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'WIZARD -
Rare Gems From
Czechoslovakian Vaults vol 2'

Various Artists