PEčET

Second album of Czech musician Ota Petrina is even more rare release than his debut, because it looks it was never re-released on CD till now. I am quite familiar with Eastern European prog scene, but I never heard this name before. After some researches I realised that even in his homec ountry he was a "best kept secret".

Now about music. From the very first sounds everyone familiar with Czechoslovakian music from 70-80-s will understand this artist depends there. It's very characteristic vocals, compositions and common atmosphere. But differently from many more mainstream artists, music on this album is strongly prog influenced.

Very atmospheric sound, filled with flute, acoustic guitar, soulful melodies. And light sadness so characteristic for almost all clever Eastern European music from 70-s and 80-s. Musically, I can hear strong early Genesis influences everywhere - in compositions structure, instrumental sounds, even acoustic guitar solos. Vocals ,even being very specific in it's sounding, is strongly influenced by great Polish musician Czeslaw Niemen.

I spent my teens listening similar music, so this sound is very usual and familiar for me. And it is not music only, more this atmosphere - love to life and disappointment, sadness and melancholy of free person living his life in jail. I hardly can understand Czech lyrics, but in fact I don't need it - I know (by my intuition) what he sings about. We have the same past, living in the land of grey suits and faceless human beings. It's all is in this music, and you don't need to understand language to feel it.

Nice guitar work, dreamy R. Wiedermann strings orchestra's arrangements, Czech bass legend Vladimír Kulhánek on support - great evidence what was Eastern European art-rock in early 80-s.

My rating - 3,5, rounded to 4.