Your Top 10 Eastern Bloc 1970s J-R Fusion albums
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Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=133410
Printed Date: November 22 2024 at 20:49
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Topic: Your Top 10 Eastern Bloc 1970s J-R Fusion albums
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Subject: Your Top 10 Eastern Bloc 1970s J-R Fusion albums
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 11:39
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I've been on a massive exploration of the beginning and "Classic Years" of Jazz-Rock Fusion for the past year. I've been so impressed with how many bands from "behind the Iron Curtain" produced great albums during this decade. Here are my 10 Favorite so far (in order): SBB Pamiec (1976) from Poland (Upper Silesia) FIRYUZA / Фирюза Firyuza / Фирюза (1979) from Soviet Union (Turkmenistan) SBB Memento Z Banalnym Tryptikiem (1981) from Poland (Upper Silesia) DEN ZA DEN Den Da Zen (1980) from Yugoslavia (Macedonia) FERMATA Huascaran (1977) from Czechoslovakia (Slovakia) LABORATORIUM Modern Pentathalon (1976) from Poland JAZZ Q Pozorovatelna (The Watchtower) (1973) from Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) GUNESH ENSEMBLE Gunesh (1980) from Soviet Union (Turkmenistan) TIHOMIR POP ASANOVIC Majko Zemljo (1974) from Yugoslavia (Macedonia) ENERGIT Energit (1975) from Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) IZVIR Izvir (1977) from Yugoslavia (Slovenia) IMPULS Impuls (1977) from Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Replies:
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 14:16
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I put in everything from the old "Eastern Bloc", not always JR/F and not always 70's-only, but very often 12 Compassionizer Narrow Is the Road Rus 2022 12 Szabo, Gabor Macho Hun 1975 11 Fermata Fermata Svk 1975 Fusion 11 Fermata Huascaran Svk 1977 Fusion 11 Flamengo Kure V Hodinkach Cze 1972 11 Fren Where Do You Want Ghosts to Reside Pol 2020 11 Fren Wiosna Pol 2022 11 Igra Staklenih Perli Igra Staklenih Perli Ser 1979 11 Kolyadin, Gleb Gleb Kolyadin Rus 2018 11 Korai Öröm Korai Öröm Hun 1995 11 Modry Efekt Modry Efekt & Radim Hladik Cze 1975 11 Modry Efekt Svitanie Cze 1977 11 More Experience From Acid Dreams Pol 1997 11 Phoenix Cantofabule Rom 1975 11 Plastic People of the Universe Kolejnice Duni (Rails Rumble) (1977-1982) Cze 1982 10 Collegium Musicum Collegium Musicum & Marian Varga Svk 1975 10 Fermata Piesen Z Hol (Songs from Ridges) Svk 1976 Fusion 10 Igra Staklenih Perli Soft Explosion Live Ser 1978 10 Kornelyans Not an Ordinary Life Ser 1974 10 Korni Grupa Korni Grupa Ser 1972 10 Leb I Sol Leb I Sol Mac 1978 10 Leb I Sol 2 Mac 1979 10 Metamorphosis Dip Cze 2002 10 Namyslowski, Zbigniew Winobranie (Wine Feast) Pol 1973 10 Narajama Vytancuj chmury Cze 1996 10 Narajama V Tom Vine Je Nalhano Cze 1997 10 Phoenix Mugur de Fluier Rom 1973 10 Plastic People of the Universe Pulnocni Mys (Midnight Mouse) Cze 1986 ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 09:08
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Thanks, Hughues! There are definitely a few here I'll be checking out (though nothing beyond the 1980s). I've given Modry Efekt many chances to impress me but it backfires every time: I keep getting a sour feeling to all of their blues-based sounds and constructs. I think that's the main thing. That and their lack of effects and pure "rock" sound. They might be impressive instrumentalists but their music is just not something I've been able tolerate for long. I forgot to include Fermatá's debut in my list. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 09:39
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A very good idea of a thread except from I only can make a top 3  (alphabetically):Fermata (CSSR) - Piesen z Hol (1976) The Gunesh Ensemble (USSR) - Gunesh (1980) SBB (PPR) - 2: Nowy Horyzont (1975) and I'm even not quite sure that I'll consider Nowy Horyzont as Jazz-Rock, even definitely much influenced by Mahavishnu.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 14:46
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Something else, Drew, I reckon you're aware of that the term "behind the Iron Curtain" is a very political one.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: August 30 2024 at 06:09
Yes, David. Thank you. I've been quite unsure as to how to address the topic. Slava (snobb) over at JMA has been helping me a lot. He uses the terms "Eastern Bloc," "former Soviet Union," and "socialist governments" quite freely. I only went with the term I knew because it's the one I've heard most all my life. (Notice: I did enclose the phrase in quotation marks. This was my effort to acknowledge that there are a variety of terms with which to address the topic. I was hoping, perhaps naďvely, that PA grownups would understand that to which I am referring. My intention is purely to express my sincere enthusiasm and respect for the bands/albums and their music.) P.S. Your own list, David, gives me two albums to check out that I have not yet heard. Thanks! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
David_D wrote:Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: August 30 2024 at 07:27
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I'd like to try to come up with something here. I've really been enjoying your Jazz and related reviews Drew. Bringing back some good memories with some of those. I'm sure there will be many from your list and Hugues's list as well that will make mine. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: August 30 2024 at 08:40
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I'd like to add a couple of albums to my toplist: Niemen Aerolit / N.AE. (PPR) - Niemen Aerolit (1975), not quite Jazz-Rock but I think, rather close to ”Arsenal” Ensemble (USSR) - Created with their own Hands (1983), not from the '70s but also close to ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: August 30 2024 at 16:36
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Trying to keep it to 70s Jazz Fusion I have five plus one. SBB- Karlstad Live Michal Urbaniac- Constellation '73 live Jazz Q- The Watch-Tower Energit- s/t Coronarias Dans- Visitor And the plus one is the Jazz Q/Blue Effect album Conionctio. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 30 2024 at 16:45
Denmark was an Eastern Bloc country? ------------- “On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.” — Ernest Vong |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 05:51
I guess, someones would say "almost".  ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: MortSahlFan
Date Posted: November 03 2024 at 09:55
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I like Jazz Q. I'll definitely check out the links, because I like "different". I seem to notice European 70s prog. Esperanto isn't in the Eastern bloc, but Imants Kalniņš is. I'll try to look for more and make sure they fit the criteria, and I'll post YouTube links (the band's channel always has the best sound quality) ------------- https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition https://www.scribd.com/document/382737647/MortSahlFan-Song-List |
Posted By: Starshiper
Date Posted: November 03 2024 at 17:41
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In recognition of wonderful but lesser-known Eastern European
jazz-rock/fusion albums, I have included hyperlinks and set my selection
chronologically. Jazz Q (Czech Republic) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4p_IEUYo00" rel="nofollow - Pozorovatelna (The Watch-Tower) (1973) Radomir Mihailović Točak (ex-Yugoslavia – Serbia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eamrHr70Fow" rel="nofollow - R.M.Točak (1976) Izvir (ex-Yugoslavia – Slovenia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwn0o8W8kD0" rel="nofollow - Izvir (1977) Leb i Sol (ex-Yugoslavia – Northern Macedonia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7dwMVQunhY" rel="nofollow - Leb i Sol (1977) Leb i Sol (ex-Yugoslavia – Northern Macedonia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbwVye2jnBU" rel="nofollow - Leb i Sol 2 (1978) Bohemia (Czech Republic) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ellbj67UxpU" rel="nofollow - Zrnko písku (1978) Leb i Sol (ex-Yugoslavia – Northern Macedonia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNM6U2SxIwg" rel="nofollow - Ručni rad (1979) Sončna Pot (ex-Yugoslavia – Slovenia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoGipgsBX-E" rel="nofollow - Sončna pot (1979) Miki Petkovski (ex-Yugoslavia – Serbia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLTQ-SkFv0Q" rel="nofollow - Ko zna (1979) 37°C (ex-Yugoslavia – Serbia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X4h-Ko8LBw" rel="nofollow - Sidarta (recorded in 1979; released only in 2017) Extra Ball (Poland) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojEo4eomJEg" rel="nofollow - Mosquito (1980) Modrý Efekt (Czech Republic) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuTt0IvG8s" rel="nofollow - 33 (1981)Den Za Den (ex-Yugoslavia – Northern Macedonia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u07PSHe3V1U" rel="nofollow - Den za den (1980) Vladimir Furduj Furda (ex-Yugoslavia – Serbia) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQN-a05-cg8" rel="nofollow - Furda (1985) Quatebriga
(ex-Yugoslavia – Slovenia) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9F1WD2NXc" rel="nofollow - The Choice of the
New Generation (1987)
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Posted By: Starshiper
Date Posted: November 05 2024 at 18:05
This is my favourite song from Majko Zemljo, which
features Croatian female vocalist Josipa Lisac. She possesses a voice
that is ideal for the jazz-rock/fusion genre; in the "Women in Prog?"
thread, I have already shared a live rendition of a song from Lisac's
vocal jazz-rock debut released in 1973. |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: November 05 2024 at 19:41
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Strangely, there are like 0 Albanian albums from the 70s. Was recording musical performances banned in Albania at the time? ------------- “On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.” — Ernest Vong |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 17:00
Thanks, John! Love all of these! (may have discovered a few after I initiated this thread). ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 17:04
Thanks, John! A few here I discovered after I initiated this thread (Extra Ball, Furda, Tocak). While I like Leb I Sol, I find them a bit too smooth. LOVE Jazz Q, Kratochvil, and Den Za Den! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 17:08
Thanks for the correction, John! I think I assumed "Pop" was Macedonian since this album is given a Macedonian-based label on Discogs. I, too, love the female vocalist on this album. I will be sure to track down some more albums that she's on--especially that debut solo album from 1973. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 17:13
I have to add two more Fermáta albums, two more SBB albums, two more Jazz Q/Martin Kratochvil albums, and a whole slew of Michal Urbaniak albums (despite the fact that he emigrated from Poland to have more recording and collaborational freedoms in the West). Fermáta Fermáta (1975) Fermáta Pieseň z hôľ (1976) SBB Pamiec (1976) SBB Wołanie O Brzęk Szkła (1978) Jazz Q Simbiosis (1974) Jazz Q / Martin Kratochvil Elegie (1976) Michał Urbaniak Paratyphus B (1973) Michał Urbaniak Super Constellation (1973) / Fusion (1974) Michał Urbaniak Atma (1974) Michał Urbaniak Fusion III (1975) ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 19:09
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I haven't got to any of them yet, but I have picked up many Jazz related albums you have reviewed over the last year, and I appreciate your enthusiasm. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Starshiper
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 20:58
Despite
a few slower tracks and regardless of their later pop-orientated
releases, the 70s Leb and Sol were definitely not a smooth jazz-rock
band. This is live footage from 1978, for instance. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: November 10 2024 at 23:14
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I haven't really warmed up to mose of the "bigger" J-R Fusion-bands from behind the Iron Curtain. Perhaps thee was too much rock/guitars and too little jazz for my preferences in most of what I've heard by Modry Effect, SBB, Fermata... But I've got ten other (slightly random) favorites: Grupa Organowa Krzysztofa Sadowskiego - Na Kosmodromie (1972), Poland Мелодия / Melodia - Лабиринт / Labyrinth (1974), Russian Federation Boomerang / Бумеранг - Бумеранг (1983), Kazakhstan Gonda Sextet - Samanenek (1976), Hungary Binder Quintet - Binder Quintet Featuring John Tchicai (1983), Hungary Laboratorium - Zdrowie na Budowie (1978/2006), Poland Debrecen Jazz Group - Debreceni Jazz Együttes (1979), Hungary Гунеш / Gunesh - Вижу Землю / I See Earth (1984), Turkmenistan Tomasz Stanko - Lady Go (1984), Poland Zbigniew Namyslowski - Winobranie (1973), Poland |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 14 2024 at 06:15
Whoa! Cool list, Duke Rollon! A few that I've heard (Gunesh, Laboratorium Tomasz Stanko) but LOTS of stuff I've never heard and thus have to explore! Thanks! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 14 2024 at 06:27
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[/QUOTE]The
label's previous moniker was "Jugoton"; that's a Croatian label with its
headquarters in Zagreb that first released the "Majko Zemljo" album in
1974, according to the
https://www.discogs.com/master/997060-Tihomir-Pop-Asanovi%C4%87-Majko-Zemljo" rel="nofollow - Discogs
entry for the album. In 2018, "Majko Zemljo" was https://www.discogs.com/release/12839674-Tihomir-Pop-Asanovi%C4%87-Majko-Zemljo" rel="nofollow - remastered
and reissued under the Croatia Records label, decades after Jugoton
changed its name to that, Croatia Records. No Macedonian
label has ever reissued "Majko Zemljo." Thanks, again, John (Starshiper), for the data correction! I'm not sure where I got my original information from (I just assumed it was from Discogs since that's been my main information resource). I will make the corrections in my own database. Nice to know more about the Jugoton label since I've encountered it elsewhere as well. Leb I Sol is a band whose discography I jumped into based upon the highest ratings here on PA. They are a band I'd never heard of before seeing them listed here in Jazz-Rock Fusion category. My first listens were to their first three albums, s/t, 2, and Rucni Rad. My initial notes (and memory) of all three was of the music being rather thin, light, and rudimentary. I have not gone back yet to really get to know these albums better due to my interest and focus in Jazz-Rock being more into the birth and beginnings and then the evolution toward the funk side of the sub-genre--most of which seems to occur up until about 1978/79 (thereafter it seems to go toward "Smooth Jazz" or more proggy forms of lush, synthesized jazz [besides fizzling out and/or moving back toward more "classic" jazz forms and styles). But I will get back to them. (My overall impression of the three albums was that I really liked them.) ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Starshiper
Date Posted: November 14 2024 at 07:08
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