Third Eye

SHQ: "Stenopes"

Jiri Stivin "The Earth"

All tracks recorded in Czechoslovakia on Supraphon and *Panton labels: ;(A1) 1978, LP "KLAVESOVA KONKLAVA"; (A2) 1987, LP "ANACONDA"; *(A3, B4) 1972 LP "JAZZOVE NEBAJKY"; (A4) 1979 LP "REMINISCENCES"; (B1, B2) 1976 LP "ZODIAK"; (B3) 1977 LP "MAHAGON"; (B5) 1979 LP "OZVENY"; (B6) 1985 LP "BOSA"

THIRD EYE is unusually long track for compilations but so good that I couldn't resist. It is taken from their self-titled LP. Selection of finest Czechoslovakian musicians giving us real cosmic trip. Just open your third eye and float through the sound. Nice modal fusion with hypnotic main theme. Anaconda continues in a similar style. Up beat fusion with occasional funky impacts. SHQ will be represented on next volume with their 60' stuff. Here I chose Stenopes and The Lost Sheep from their 70's Fusion period which goes nicely with the rest of the record. Svoboda is still one of the leading figures on a Czech scene. Back in 70's and 80's he made few records with a selection of eminent Jazz musicians grouped under the name Prague Big Band. Proklamation is a typycal Jazz Dance track with a lot of changes from powerfull Big Band sound to small band funky beats with a flute and percussion's solos. Stivin is mostly known for his experimental and free Jazz style. On LP Zodiak he had more melodic and spiritual approach. Real cosmic sounds. The Earth is starting with pastoral singing that changes into wild funky rhythm with African percussions and with Stivin on flute. On The Alchemist's Trip Stivin plays sax and has interesting rhythm section. Mahagon was originally Rock band that experimented with other styles as well. They had Zdena Adamova on vocals who had enormous potential. There is a strong West Coast influence in here included track More Klidu. Great composer and pianist Ruzicka has been a big name on Czechoslovakian Jazz Scene since 60's. He worked with almost every name in Czechoslovakian Jazz scene and was a member of SHQ. Another meber of SHQ on this LP is drummer Josef Vejvoda. Zivohratky is nice up tempo Jazz Dance track. It is a bit short so I play it again and again. Finaly I did a 6 minute remix for my home use. I might even release it in a future. Singer Koubkova's LP would be difficult to clasify. Influences are coming from Blues, Rock, Jazz and Brazilian Samba. Track Nijana is a simple in it's construction but very hypnotic with repetativ funky riff. Zeljko Kerleta (February 2000)