MAHAGON

Of note i'm reviewing the 39 minute studio album only, not any of the commercial sounding bonus tracks which brought to mind their second album which I didn't like. This debut from the Czech band MAHAGON is simply a tour de force. The horns (trumpet, sax, clarinet) violin, clavinet, fender rhodes, synths, strings, guitar, female vocal melodies and more are a feast for the ears. There is funky groove at times and I was reminded of Hancock several times. Just a joy to hear this really.

"Dny, Mesce A Roky" opens with a scream that would make your hair stand straight up. A jazzy soundscape takes over and it's uptempo with sax, trumpet, violin and synths kicking ass. "More Klidu" opens with vocal melodies in a dreamy soundscape. It changes after 2 minutes with chunky bass and synths coming to the fore. Flute and vocal melodies join in. Nice. A calm ends it. "Clovek Kybernet" is funky with horns blasting. The guitar before 2 minutes starts to light it up then sax takes over. The music stops as we can hear what sounds like traffic going by then it kicks in again. This is awesome ! "Sen O Zemi" is a short piece with vocal melodies and lots of atmosphere. "Oci Nevidomch Zrcadel" reminds me of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA as we get this tension that you keep thinking will explode any second but it doesn't. Violin comes in as well.

"Pisecn Presypy" has these intricate sounds coming and going. So much going on here in this uptempo track. Electric piano too as Hancock comes to mind. Fantastic song ! "Pulnocni" opens with atmosphere as vocal melodies join in. It kicks in before 2 1/2 minutes. Yeah it does ! It settles back for the final minute sounding just like the intro. "Dvka S Jablke" has some huge bass lines as a funky groove kicks in with vocal melodies. "Obrazma" is fun with the horns blasting and that funky rhythm, A calm 3 1/2 minutes in with vocal melodies then violin.

This has been a pleasure, so much so i've burned it on a cdr minus the bonus tracks.