PIKNIK

Jazz, fusion, or something with funky sounds, more like everything at all, with Santana-like guitar solos.

As instrumental pieces, these tracks present quite innovative melodies, which are sometimes hidden so well, that you don't hear any melody at all. I feel need to say that "Luboš Andršť" is rated as one of the best Czech guitarists (oh yeah, our country has few of these remarkably best ones), as shown in acoustic, flamenco-like solo in Jarní rovnodennost (Solstice), which offers the better side of this record.

What brings me to negatives, problem is that I don't hear any. Maybe problem of jazz itself, that it has parts, where nothing's going on. But that's just first look (hear), when you listen closely and concentrate your mind, you'll see these hidden relations between certain parts, which forms musical composition. Indeed, one of the best jazz music from Czech Republic, I even didn't know about this for a long time, but it's over now.

4(-), because it's very good jazz album. But not so good for me, as I'm not the best jazz listener, in fact I'm far from being the best and I'm still so called jazz apprentice. I'm trying, but it's coming slowly. But I can see perfection in this and because of this, final rating is 4.

Three years after their incredible debut ENERGIT are back with their final studio album. We get a new drummer and keyboardist while they've also added trombone and trumpet to the already existing sax. The debut had a lot in common with MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA while this one is much smoother and refined unfortunately. Still for 1978 this is a great album.

"Drift" sounds nothing like their debut as we get this funked up sound reminding me of Hancock's Headhunters album. Man this is the funk people as horns blast. We do get some guitar and electric piano taking the lead as well as it plays out. Excellent start. "Stratus" opens with atmosphere and piano as drums and guitar join in. Check out the drum work here ! The guitar is outstanding as well. Horns 3 1/2 minutes in then it settles late with atmosphere to end it. "Jami Rovnodennost" is led at first by piano then the acoustic guitar comes in and leads the rest of the way. "Mobilis In Mobili" is one of my favourites. Raw guitar with electric piano and drums as the horns join in. I like how the horns, electric piano and guitar keep taking turns leading.

"Zapomenuty Ostrov" has this somewhat haunting intro then percussion, horns and electric piano start to lead. Deep bass lines and drums follow. Electric piano leads 2 minutes in. Guitar 3 minutes in but then horns and electric piano return as they trade off. It settles after 5 minutes then starts to pick up before 7 minutes. Great sound ! "Ricni Pisek" has these deep bass lines, solid drum work and more. The sax starts to play over top before 2 1/2 minutes. "Piknik" is uptempo with horns blasting to start. Electric piano leads 2 minutes in then the drums and synths lead after 4 minutes until the guitar kicks in after 5 minutes.

A really good album that's worth 4 stars for sure but get the debut if you can.