The Steve Spiegl Big Band - 'Perspectives' (1982)

The Steve Spiegl Big Band - 'Perspectives' (1982)

1) Hot

2) The Sphynx's Lair

3) Mirage

4) Bacchanalia

5) Spanish Steps

6) Parfait

7) Willie

8) Together Again

9) A Day in the Life

10) The Late Great Planet Earth

This is a relatively old big band jazz album that sounds like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band could have recorded it. Like the Big Phat Band, the Steve Spiegl Big Band is from California and they perform awesome swing and modern jazz music. Sorry if I compare the two bands too much, I'm not too familiar with modern big bands.

But I am familiar with this album. I first heard "A Day in the Life", which (fortunately or unfortunately) is not a Beatles cover. Rather, it's a really intricate piece that shows off all sections, from the trombone intro to the saxophone/flute riff that comes in later. The rhythm section is extremely tight, and even though that's expected from a studio recording, the groove is still really great.

After hearing just that one song, I had to hear the rest of the album. And after hearing it, it's a really great album and I was surprised that almost 30 years had gone by and there is such little recognition of this band. So I took the liberty of putting the entire album on YouTube. Check out "A Day in the Life" if you wanna be impressed!

Basically, this big band is not big enough in my opinion. But I'm not exaggerating how great the album is. While there are (relatively) a lot of ballads on it, there are also swing songs, songs with a Latin feel, and a cool sound in all of the songs. So listen to this album, it's a hidden gem of modern big band jazz music.

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