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DEZO URSINY

Crossover Prog • Slovakia


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Dezo Ursiny biography
Dezider "Dezo" Ursiny - 4 October 1947 (Bratislava, Slovakia) - 2 May 1995

Dezo Ursiny started playing guitar in his early teens. In 1963 he played in his first group FONTÁNA and at the end of the year 1964 he founded the group THE BEATMEN. Ursiny was the lead guitarist, lead singer and also composed own songs for the band, which was influenced by the Beatles. The group was immensely popular in Czechoslovakia and they released two singles in 1965. In 1966 they played in Munich, beeing the first rock group from behind the iron curtain to play in the west. Ursiny, however, grew unsatisfied with the group in the same year. In 1967, Ursiny founds the trio THE SOULMEN, which played covers of bands like Cream and also performed own material in that style. in December, the group won the first Czechoslovak beat festival in Praguie in the band category. in 1968, soon after the recording of their EP, THE SOULMEN split up. Ursiny creates the progressive rock band NEW SOULMEN. The group records three songs and disbands in 1969. In 1970, Ursiny founds another Progressive rock band called PROVISORIUM and they disband after only two concerts in 1971.

Part of the material Ursiny played with the group gets recorded in 1972 for Ursiny´s first LP, released in 1973 under the title "Provisorium". After problems with communist estasblishment and writing music mostly for film documents, ursiny finally releases his second LP in 1978 and he would never quit recording for such a long time again until his death. All of his albums from that time on are sung in Slovak and the lyrics are written by Slovak poet Ivan Strpka. In 1978, Ursiny also creates the band BUR?IAK, with which he would record his next two albums. From 1983 he performed with what what would be his most stable band, called again PROVISORIUM, although in different line up than the one from 1970. In 1992, his group, under the same name, underwent major changes. The nucleus of this group would work with Ursiny until his untimely death in 1995 from cancer.

URSINY was a vital part of the Slovakian progressive movement and was a prolific composer and producer.

- Peto

Discography:
Dezo Ursiny & Provisorium, studio album (1973)
Pevnina detstva, studio album (1978)
Nové mapy ticha, studio album (1979)
Modrý vrch, studio album (1981)
4/4, studio album (1983)
Bez po?asia, studio album (1984)
Zelená, studio album (1986)
Na ceste domov, studio album (1987)
M...
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DEZO URSINY discography


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DEZO URSINY top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.52 | 32 ratings
Provisorium
1973
4.27 | 43 ratings
Pevnina Detstva
1978
3.71 | 22 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Nové Mapy Ticha
1979
4.28 | 29 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Modrý Vrch
1981
3.14 | 12 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: 4/4
1983
2.62 | 12 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Bez Počasia
1984
3.57 | 17 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Zelená
1986
2.62 | 4 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Green
1987
3.18 | 13 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Na Ceste Domov
1987
3.00 | 2 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: On The Way Home
1987
3.63 | 12 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Momentky
1990
2.57 | 12 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Do Tla
1991
3.10 | 11 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Ten Istý Tanec
1992
4.46 | 19 ratings
Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Príbeh
1994

DEZO URSINY Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.36 | 5 ratings
Posledný príbeh live
2000

DEZO URSINY Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

DEZO URSINY Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.38 | 7 ratings
Pevniny a vrchy
1997
2.21 | 5 ratings
Pevniny a vrchy 2 (Rarity)
2000

DEZO URSINY Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

DEZO URSINY Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Green by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1987
2.62 | 4 ratings

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Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Green
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

2 stars Ursiny contrasted several things on "Zelena": typical mid 80's electronic pop drums, experimental singing and lyrics and jazzy guitar (his most distinctive until now). You could call it free pop or experimental pop.

The first song is his longest one "Stav veci" - reaching over 15 minutes. Yes it has a catchy motive and features nice laid-back solos by saxophone and guitar but 10 minutes would have been more than enough.

The second song is also quite well constructed - a reflective one.

"Ranni vtaci" is a weaker one with less contents and atmospherical surface. After that we are confronted with the weakest Ursiny song so far - the terrible "Tretia vlna". It has the lyrics about snow (acceptable) however Ursiny

(speaking rather singing) completely contradicts the music rhythm. Filip is trying to save the song with his Hammond strummling but these 7 minutes drag on.

The song devoted to John Lennon does not evoke the songwriting master at all and is another mediocre constructed song - however Ursiny guitar playing is a standout.

2 stars for a 70's Ursiny more demanding fan, 2.5 stars if you like experimental pop in general.

 Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Zelená by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1986
3.57 | 17 ratings

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Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Zelená
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

2 stars Ursiny contrasted several things on "Zelena": typical mid 80's electronic pop drums, experimental singing and lyrics and jazzy guitar (his most distinctive until now). You could call it free pop or experimental pop.

The first song is his longest one "Stav veci" - reaching over 15 minutes. Yes it has a catchy motive and features nice laid-back solos by saxophone and guitar but 10 minutes would have been more than enough.

The second song is also quite well constructed - a reflective one.

"Ranni vtaci" is a weaker one with less contents and atmospherical surface. After that we are confronted with the weakest Ursiny song so far - the terrible "Tretia vlna". It has the lyrics about snow (acceptable) however Ursiny

(speaking rather singing) completely contradicts the music rhythm. Filip is trying to save the song with his Hammond strummling but these 7 minutes drag on.

The song devoted to John Lennon does not evoke the songwriting master at all and is another mediocre constructed song - however Ursiny guitar playing is a standout.

2 stars for a 70's Ursiny more demanding fan, 2.5 stars if you like experimental pop in general.

 Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Modrý Vrch by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1981
4.28 | 29 ratings

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Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Modrý Vrch
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

4 stars This highly regarded and most acclaimed Ursiny album in the top 100 Slovakian music albums between 1960-2007 (11th place) is not my favourite one among Ursiny output.

I agree that it could be the peak of his songwriter-driven career (which more or less started with the 1979's album Nove Mapy Ticha) but musically, it is the "Pevnina detstva" that convinces me most.

"Modry vrch" provides a more conventional sonic palette with rock quartet and occasional brass instruments. Filip still has a good array of keyboard sounds to deliver. There are instrumental moments compensating Ursiny's monotonous singing. It is easily the most recommended 80's Ursiny's album and has somewhat of cult status in Slovakia.

 Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Nové Mapy Ticha by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.71 | 22 ratings

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Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Nové Mapy Ticha
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

4 stars The second solo album by Ursiny underwent a significant transformation. Although it's quite a lot of line-up guests, the sound is more streamlined, simplified and vocal-driven. The fusion elements diminished in the expense of atmospheric synth-supported moments, which is not necessarily bad depending on your tastes. Keyboards are still the strongest instrument although not so dominant any more. I think most progressive listeners will mark the contrast between the high instrumental potential and limited vocal potential - Ursiny has quite a monotone voice and I enjoy it only when singing choruses or harmonies. On the upside side; compositions have slightly improved - they are more cohesive, "Na malej stanici" is a great manifest of that. "Domestic flight" is not that well written but compensates with a few intensive fusion-like parts. The simplest song on the album "Hádanka" is still a highlight - one of the few excellent matches of the lyrics and music when they don't disrupt each other - and acoustic guitar playing is in lead.
 Posledný príbeh live by URSINY, DEZO album cover Live, 2000
2.36 | 5 ratings

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Posledný príbeh live
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

2 stars "Posledny pribeh" is a condensed version of the last studio recording by Ursiny, which I found was filled with OK material and good playing. Whereas the studio album had 66 minutes, this one clocks at 53 (my edition) and I believe it could have been the other way round since live instruments add another dimension to the sometimes soulless Ursiny's music with abstract lyrics. Take improvisational rock with brass section, grooving rhythm section, loose compositions and you get the picture of this album. Quite often the performance is instrumental and for a good reason. Another highlight is Ursiny's increased level of emotions when he sings live, be it in the angry or melancholic manner (last track). If you're looking for live Ursiny's I still recommend his two compilations "Pevniny and vrchy" that features better material. 2 stars for progressive rock input, 3 stars for easy going rock with jazzy elements.
 Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Momentky by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1990
3.63 | 12 ratings

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Dezo Ursiny & Ivan Strpka: Momentky
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

3 stars The album starts in a similar vein as the previous 2 mid-80's ones - laid-back undistinguished compositions with monotonous melody. The second song brings refreshment and a slight blues-rock twist even some intensive Ursiny singing. Further songs are rather hits than misses but none can match Ursiny's pre-'81 output. To be fair, the sound and instrumentation livelier and slightly better than on previous albums. "Kus tvare" is a drum-less mellow pretty simple and yet emotional song. All in all, a slight return to the shape or rather saying - mediocre Ursiny to the average Ursiny. Try it out and share your feedback, alright? :-)
 Pevnina Detstva by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1978
4.27 | 43 ratings

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Pevnina Detstva
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by sgtpepper

4 stars The closest fusion-like album by Ursiny is arguably also the most mainstream progressive album. It is highly indebted to the rhythm section and confident keyboard playing. Ironically, it is Ursiny who contributes least to the progressive sound - although he is the composer behind indeed.

I find the best moments to be instrumental, Filip contributing with an array of keyboard instruments and sounds, aggressive bass, progressive drumming seconding tightly. Considering Ursiny could play guitar well at this point, it's surprising it's completely absent in the audio.

After the first symphonic keyboard intro, we're getting to the magnum opus with numerous unrelated pop, progressive rock and fusion parts. There doesn't seem to be any graduation or common idea, just focus on the parts on their own. Really masterfully played. "Privretými očam" is better composed and greatly contrasts with mid dynamic section (good Harpsichord playing) vs mellow keyboard/violin driven first and third part. "Nové dieťa" has a running rhythm, mainly interesting due to bass playing. "Jedného dňa" offers a glimpse of the coming Ursiny style in the future where instruments support singing and lyrics dynamics rather than the other way round. 4.5 stars

 Pevnina Detstva by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1978
4.27 | 43 ratings

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Pevnina Detstva
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars In my opinion this is a big improvement over the debut that was released some five years earlier. And he's got the FERMATA rhythm section! Vocals are in their own tongue this time instead of English like on the debut. Such an interesting album with the instruments in play like trumpet, sax, flute, electric piano, keyboards, cors anglais(english horn), strings, harpsichord and bass and drums of course but no guitar. Dezo is the composer and singer.

I'm not in love with this album but there are aspects of it that really hit the mark. Again the bass and drums being from FERMATA is huge. Both sound amazing. The electric piano is my favourite instrument on here, it just sounds the way I want it to sound. The horns are hit and miss to be honest. The trumpet especially. A really good album though, very proggy with tons of tempo shifts especially on that over 18 1/2 minute second track. My favourite though is "Nove Dieta" with that rhythm section being so impressive and just the urgent sound that it has. It's just different from the rest in a good way.

Worth the 4 stars.

 Provisorium by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.52 | 32 ratings

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Provisorium
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Dezo was an influencial musician back in the early days of Czech Rock music. This is his first solo album released in 1973 and he has the FLAMENGO rhythm section playing on it which is a big plus. Vocals are in English surprisingly and are okay. For me they aren't good or bad although I know if this was an all instrumental album i'd like it better.

"Christmas Time" is the side long opening track. It's fairly laid back early on with chunky bass. Vocals a minute in. It picks up before 2 1/2 minutes but it's brief as the tempo continues to shift throughout. Vocals to the fore around 9 minutes in but again they're brief. Organ after 10 1/2 minutes then it settles back. It picks back up with guitar then the vocals take over and they are hit and miss for me.

"Looking For The Place To Spend Next Summer" opens with the sound of cars whizzing by as acoustic guitar and piano take over. Vocals then lead as the organ joins in, then it settles again. "Apple Tree In Winter" opens with piano and vocals. This sounds like MUSE doing a ballad. "I Have Found" is another vocal track. Drums lead after 4 minutes when the vocals stop but they are back late.

This didn't do a lot for me but it is proggy and an important part of the Czech music scene.

 Provisorium by URSINY, DEZO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.52 | 32 ratings

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Provisorium
Dezo Ursiny Crossover Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars An important part of the ex-Czechoslovak rock scene,Dezo Ursiny was born in Bratislava in 1947.He was a member of the Beatles-esque beat group The Beatmen in mid-60's,but refused to follow the band in West Germany,when the rest of the members were after some more commercial success.He was also to be found on the Cream-influenced The Soulmen,who had only an EP released back in 1968.He then collaborated with keyboardist Jaro Filip on the group Provisorium in 1970,but the band performed only a few shows.However they managed to sign a recording contract before this and the album was evetually recorded with the help of Flamengo members Vladimír Kulhánek and Jaroslav Sedivy,released in 1973 on Supraphon as ''Dezo Ursiny and Provisorium''.

Surprisingly for a Slovak album,''Provisorium'' was entirely sung in English,containing only four tracks.Side A is dedicated to the sidelong 19-min. epic ''Christmas time'',a complicated track with evident Jazz and Blues influences all the way,even with a touch of Avant-Garde music, characterized by the distinctive voice of Ursiny.The complex passages with the psychedelic interplays and the individual soloing indicate the straight links with the progressive movement.Piano,organ and jazzy guitars are always on the front with the Flamengo rhythm section supporting well,while the track requires plenty of listenings to be fully appreciated.

Side B opens with ''Looking for the place to spend next summer'',again influenced by British Psych/Jazz-Rock with complicated breaks throughout and some flutes to be heard wrapped under Filip's light piano and organ and Ursiny's smooth jazzy playing.On ''Apple tree in winter'' it is hard to recognize this is a Slovak musician performing.Very smooth straight Blues with Filip's piano on the front and Ursiny's non-accented clear vocals,the track also features an orchestrated section with strings,but sounds rather dated for today's standards.''I have found'' is more on the straight rock side of Prog music with hard guitar soloing,fast piano passages and great vocals by Ursiny,but the needless ending drum solo marks a black hole for the track.

Noone denies this album was quite a daring step for a communist society back then.''Provisorium'' has its moments,especially on the sidelong track,it has a great historical importance,but no more than that.Recommended warmly to fans of Progressive Rock,who don't mind some Jazz and Blues references thrown in.

Thanks to Atavachron for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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