Blue Effect - 'Nová Syntéza' (1971)

Blue Effect - 'Nová Syntéza' (1971)

Tracks:

1) Má Hra

2) Směr Jihovýchod

3) Popínavý Břečťan

4) Blues Modrého Efektu

5) Nová Syntéza

Blue Effect is a jazz/progressive rock band from the Czech Republic, they formed in 1968. They were also known as Modrý Efekt, M. Efekt, Modrý Efekt and Radim Hladík, among other variations. Radim Hladík is their guitarist, a founding member, and arguably the most prominent member.

Anyways, this album is an instrumental jazz/rock album that the band recorded with the Czech Radio Jazz Orchestra (it's printed on the album in Czech). The album does run a bit long for five tracks at about 43 minutes, but I guess you could expect that from a progressive rock band.

However, don't let that deter you from listening, this album is fantastic. If you thought Jimmy Page was the best, check out Radim Hladík practically front both groups with his roaring guitar solos and riffs. This was released in 1971, and some of the stuff he is playing is so technically advanced when you compare it to other guitarists of the era like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Perhaps you could best compare the guitar on this album to Terry Kath, guitarist of Chicago until his death in 1978. He combined jazz, hard rock, funk and advanced technique but not without the emotion. Take out the funk and you've got yourself a good taste of what Radim Hladík is like.

There are so many sections in the album where the sound is so powerful and driving, with the bass and drums leading the way and the horns and guitar soaring with a huge sound that blows your mind. This album is so underrated, it's practically a crime. For any fans of jazz, classic rock, progressive rock, or good music, Czech this one out.

RIYL: Chicago (early), Wishbone Ash, Jeff Beck

Rare Bird - 'Rare Bird' (1969)

Rare Bird - 'Rare Bird' (1969)

Tracks:

1) Iceberg

2) Times

3) You went away

4) Melanie

5) Beautiful Scarlet

6) Sympathy

7) Nature's Fruit

8) Bird on a Wing

9) God of War

Every now and then you find a band like UFO or Rare Bird that could really play some awesome music back in the day, but never got the recognition of bands like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, or other "Classic Rock" bands. But let me tell you this: Rare Bird is no average album-oriented rock band from the 60s-70s.

The English quartet play a great mixture of hard rock and progressive rock. But it's not the annoying kind of progressive rock with four or five 9 minute songs on an album; these guys deliver a full set of tracks that adds up to about 40 minutes on this self-titled debut.

The keyboards on this album create a whole new atmosphere that just gives the music an edge over bands with the usual guitar/bass/drums/vocals lineup. You hear it from the beginning of the first track all the way through. Overall, this album is one of my favorites of the late 60s/early 70s era of music, which is one of my favorites.

RIYL: Deep Purple, Warhorse, Armageddon