Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". CD

Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". LP, Vinyl record album

A very heady set from the Czech scene of the early 70s – already a hotbed for some very progressive sounds in jazz – which get further inspiration here in the majestic meeting of the prog group Blue Effect and the legendary Jazz Q ensemble! The vibe is different than jazz/rock work from the UK scene at the time – almost avant jazz at a number of points when things swing free, then back in more forward-moving territory when the group reassembles – in a heady lineup that features piano, organ, and trumpet from Jazz Q leader Martin Kratochvil, flutes and alto from Jiri Stivin, and fierce guitar and "noises" from Radim Hladik! Side one features "Coniunctio 1" – done in a side-long jamming version – and side two features some nice flute solo work by Jiri Stivin on "A Visit To Aunty Margaret For A Cup Of Tea", plus the cuts "Coniunctio II" and "Asi Pujdem Se Psem Ven". CD

A famous live performance from this legendary Czech group – presented here for the first time ever, thanks to lost tapes unearthed at a Finnish radio station! The group are in amazing form throughout – stretching out on four long tracks that bristle with the strong imagination of keyboardist Martin Kratochvil – who uses the electric piano to spin out long lines that clearly draw inspiration from Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, but which at times maybe remind us a bit of Marc Moulin as well! The vibe is nicely spacious – similar to their albums of the time, but not as full fusiony either – and the rest of the group features Lubos Andrst on guitar, Vladimir Padrunek on bass, and Michal Vrbovec on drums. Titles include "Kartago", "Pori 72", "Slez", and "Pozorovatelna". CD