SYMBIOSIS

Second full Jazz Q studio album is their top release. It's interesting to notice how fast jazz band, founded in mid-60s became free jazz/experimental band in late 60s and turned to bluesy jazz- rock in early 70-s.

If you ever heard Jazz Q split album with Blue Effect (where they are more free jazz part, balanced with bluesy jazz rock by Blue Effect ), you will be surprised from very first sounds of this album. First of all, band have female vocalist now ( Joan Duggan), and then they play totally different music there.

Joan's vocals are in the key of Nico, with similar timbres, just stronger. Music on this album is keyboards-dominated jazz rock, influenced by Brian Auger, with often jazzy drumming and great Frantiek Francl guitar solos over it. Music is very bluesy, far not so complex and experimental as on band's split debut.

Excellent jazzy musicianship in combination with light psychodelia of Joan's vocals and perfect guitar work bring this album on forefront of similar albums ( in fact this release could be placed at the same level with best Auger/Driscoll releases).

Best album of one of the best Czech jazz fusion bands from early 70-s. Very recommended!

My rating is 4,5 rounded to 5!

Joan Duggan who guested on vocals on a single track only on JAZZ Q's debut is back and taking a much more prominant role on this their second album.

"From Dark To Light" is very laid back and reserved vocals come in around 1 1/2 minutes. During one section after 3 minutes she almost speaks the words then it's back to the reserved singing. "Lost Soul" is a slow to mid-paced tune with a fairly heavy sound with the guitar contributing a lot to that. Vocals join in before a minute then we get a guitar solo before 2 minutes until around 3 minutes when the vocals return. Electric piano after 4 minutes as the vocals stop but the guitar continues. "Starbird" is laid back like the opener with vocals. It's fuller after 2 minutes but it settles back again. The guitar replaces the vocals after 3 1/2 minutes then the electric piano leads. Vocals are back after 5 minutes. It picks up during the final minute to a jazzy mode with vocal melodies.

"The Wizard" is by far my favourite and it's not because it's 16 1/2 minutes long either. It picks up 1 1/2 minutes in and the vocals join in. This is great ! Electric piano and vocals are most excellent here. Guitar comes in after 7 minutes and leads as the vocals stop. A calm follows where bass and sparse piano take over including a bass solo. It kicks back in after 10 1/2 minutes with vocals. Some passion here then the guitar solos before 12 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Vocal melodies 14 minutes in as the guitar continues to solo. Vocals are back after 14 1/2 minutes. What a song ! "Epilogue" ends it and it's a somewhat spacey instrumental.

I would rate this in my top three of favourite JAZZ Q albums along with the debut and "Elegie". Now that's not counting the album they did with BLUE EFFECT in 1970 which is my favourite one that they have been a part of.