MAHAGON

Mahagon was not very well known Czech fusion band, released two albums in late 70-s. This, debut release is very eclectic one. It opens with folk-fusion composition with strong folklore domination. Second song is pleasant,if not very original Latin jazz, obviously influenced by Return To Forever debut or Airto/Flora albums. Nice, competent, but not very original.

On third song it's time for funk. Guys obviously listened to Headhunters before they recorded this composition. Optimistic light fusion, too simple and far not original again. "Sen o zemi " is short pop-jazz song with wordless vocals.Next composition with soloing violin is one between most interesting on the album. This time source for inspiration was Ponty or,even more,Mihal Urbaniak. Nice composition with great drums and some Slavic soulful folk flavour (again as on Urbaniak's solo releases), but level of musicianship could be better.

"Pisecne Prisipe" is funk, with interesting keyboards and brass, kind of George Duke plus brass section. Not bad at all! "Pulnocni" is airy keyboards-led fairy tale tune, which continues as funky Weather Report's later song (with Flora Purim -like wordless vocals).

" Dívka s jablky" continues as groovy funk with same style female wordless vocals. Nice keys, not bad bass line. Album's closer, "Obrazarna", is brass filled almost big-band composition.

Very competent, but not original album with only average level of musicianship.My rating is 2,5 rounded to 3.