SUPER ROBOT

1978 in Czechoslovakia, the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe is close to it's ending, but still the pressure over "politically incorrect" music like Rock can be felt, even when breezes of freedom can be felt, the Prague Spring of 1968 is in the memory of people, so this was not the most healthy environment for Prog bands like OTA PRYTINA, but the multi- instrumentalist and his band took the risk and created very advanced music for a country that was musically some years behind the rest of Europe, and they succeeded.

"Super Robot" is released in 1978 and while the iconic bands of UK and USA insist in the old formula of Symphonic Prog that approached them more and more to the end of the first Golden era, OTA PETRINA creates a beautiful blend between Symphonic and their native music, but with a delicacy not common in Prog Folk bands that have a more direct approach, here we listen only echoes of Czech music softly melted into pristine Symphonic.

This blend of Symphonic and Eastern Europe music will be more popular in the 90's, but in the 70's, OTA PETRINA were among the pioneers, so when learned about this band by some samples, asked my local CD's dealer for them, I don't know how (neither will ask), but he had an original copy of "Pečet", on stock and got me a copy of "Super Robot" in less than three days, an album which I will try to review.

As Marty writes in a previous review "Já Nejsem Já" opens the album with a nostalgic mood, probably due to the situation in the country, the bluesy introduction is simply delightful and leads to a "Floydesque" passage that breaks the heart, and from them the song flows gently in an almost Space Rock style. Even when the performance of the band is spectacular, the vocals impressed me a lot, I don't understand a word of Czech, but the energy and anger in the voice tells me enough. Fantastic song.

"Cas Neodeslaných Dopisu" changes the mood from Spacey to melodic and emotional Symphonic with touches of late Psychedelia and Czech ethnic music, the combination is extremely beautiful, and unlike most Prog bands, OTA PETRINA bases the music in the guitar performance of the leader, again the band hits the nail in the head.

"Nebýt Tebe" stats very bluesy again, and the voice of "Petrina" is just perfect for this style, if it wasn't for the language that sounds as Sanskrit to me, I could swear I'm before a New Orleans band, even the guitar solo is perfect for the general atmosphere of the song, not Prog but equally brilliant.

Contrary to what it's name implies, "Tak Zazpívej Jí Blues" (To sing her Blues) is more oriented towards Progressive Rock, but the beauty of the song is in the contrast between the Symphonic Synth and the Blues based guitar, but now the dramatic vocals transport us completely to a Progressive Rock world, with echoes of PINK FLOYD, CAMEL and in general to all the spirit of the 70's.with soft changes and interesting arrangements, the album keeps getting better.

"Podivin" starts with an acoustic guitar reminiscent of Steve Howe, but this time they move towards a Folk atmosphere, being so short, works as an interlude for "Computer III, Generace", a much harder song than everything they played before and changes for the first time the mood of the album, very nice progression from the soft and acoustic interlude to the electric and aggressive song.

The original version of the album ends with "Super Robot", and again I feel the PINK FLOYD influence, being that this track reminds me immensely of "Money", with a bass and drums work very similar to the FLOYD track, not totally original but still very good.

This version of "Super Robot" (Again, what a terrible name for such a soft and nostalgic album) has two bonus tracks, but as usual I will write about the album as the artist released it originally, so even when "Karin" and "Vnitrng Svet Tvých Jantarových Ocí" are as good as the rest of their material, I won't include them in my review.

Now, even when I like "Pečet" more and consider it as more Symphonic, rating "Super Robot" with less than 4 stars would be unfair.

Highly recommended.

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