IMPULS

This was IMPULS only studio album released in 1977. They are another band from the Czech Republic who play in the Jazz / Rock Fusion style. Their trumpet player and drummer would both play on ENERGIT's "Piknik" album released the year after this one. And the trumpet player also guested on JAZZ Q's "Elegie" record from 1976.

"Horni Konec Dolni Konec" is spacey to start then the bass and drums kick in to a funky groove. That changes when it becomes fuller. Trumpet 2 minutes in then the guitar leads. It's funky again late before turning spacey to end it. "Cervanky" is led by the guitar and trumpet early then the drums join in before a minute followed by bass. More passion after 1 1/2 minutes then it settles back 2 minutes in as the guys trade solos. "Osmikraska" has some sparse electric piano early then the bass and drums take over. Electric piano, trumpet and more join in. The guitar then starts to solo over top then it's the trumpet's turn before 3 minutes. "V Klidu A Pohode" has a relaxed sound with distant sounding trumpet. It kicks in after a minute. Great sound !

"Sextant" has to be a nod to Hancock. Electronics to open then the drums take over followed by a full sound. Nice. The drumming is fantastic. "Cumulus" has these marching styled drums which change before a minutes as the bass joins in. Trumpet plays over top 1 1/2 minutes in in a reserved manner. Love the atmosphere when it settles just before 3 minutes. This lasts for a minute. Great section. "Povidlova Hody" is status quo until it changes before 1 1/2 minutes as we get cymbals and bass then the trumpet replaces the bass, then the electric piano replaces the trumpet and so on as they keep trading solos. Love the bass late. So good !

Without question this is a very solid and well played recording.

Another awesome one-off from a short-lived Czech band.

1. "Horni konec dolni konec" (4:07) two motifs, one funkier than the other and containing some nice dueling between trumpet, flanged electric guitar, double bass, and keyboard synth. (8.875/10)

2. "Cervanky" (4:47) slow and reflective with delicate yet-nuanced performances from all of the musicians. The music keeps getting stronger, more dynamic (and, melodically, more 1960s game show-like) over the course of its almost-five minutes. (8.75/10)

3. "Osmikraska" (5:49) opening with some bowed electric bass (or cello) that has a very interesting effect plugged into it, the song then launches with the whole band moving into a great bass-and-drum-led groove with horn section. Great syncopation from the drums and bass while guitarist Zdenek Fiser solos and Fender Rhodes player Pavel Kostiuk supports. Trumpeter Michal Gera takes the next turn in the lead while bassist Frantisek Uhlír does some interesting moving around beneath. Bowed electric violin (or cello) gets the next turn before the band comes back together to recite the collective melody line with the horns fully involved. Cool song! (9/10)

4. "V klidu a pohode" (4:23) ominous melody line to open this slow, ruminative song of suspicion and paranoia. A little too herky-jerky for my tastes. (8.75/10)

5. "Sextant" (4:43) even though the title here seems to give a nod to Herbie Hancock, I hear a predominance of Mahavishnu Orchestra with Jan Hammer-type Moog soloing. (9/10)

6. "Cumulus" (5:03) a nod to Billy Cobham's "Stratus"? a very quirky and interesting song making footprints in several j- r fusion camps: funk, technical, Smooth, experimental, and (9/10)

7. "Riko" (4:45) smooth jazz with some admirably-tight whole-band playing--especially from the multiple instruments proposing the melody together. My favorite song on the album. (9.25/10)

8. "Povidlove hody" (5:26) from the start this sounds like an experimental practice étude--like one of the band's warm up songs. (8.5/10)

Total Time 38:58

Very solid and nicely rendered performances of solid Jazz-Rock Fusion compositions.

B+/four stars; an album of Jazz-Rock Fusion that is, I feel, actually better than its score indicates. I recommend you try it for yourself--especially if you're into Jazz-Rock Fusion.