PIKNIK

Very nicely composed, performed, and rendered Fourth Wave "Smooth" Jazz-Funk Fusion that definitely checks all the "Easy Listening" criteria. Three years after their exciting debut album, these Czech musicians hailing from the former Czechoslovakia release their second and final studio album.

1. "Drift (6:29) funky wah-wah rhythm guitar, funky bass, near-Disco (and near-Steve Gadd) drumming time machine, funky slurpy keyboard synths, and three-man horn section come together, one at a time, to provide a melodic base for eventual soloing from Lubos Andrst's electric guitar and, much later, Rudolf Ticháček's soprano saxophone and Milan Svoboda's Arp synthesizer. There is definitely a smoothness--and spacious, mathematical form--to this walking-man's funk which brings to mind artists like BOB JAMES and THE CRUSADERS. It's great, easy to listen to, but not (8.875/10)

2. "Stratus" (4:20) pretty piano-based syncopated music elevating both guitarist Lubos Andrst melody-making skill as well as drummer Jaromír Helesic's Harvey Mason-like talent. (8.875/10)

3. "Jarní rovnodennost" (3:45) acoustic guitar and piano dance delicately, almost nervously, around each other until Lubos launches into a two-track exposé of Spanish strumming with John McLaughlin-like lead over the top--all on steel-string acoustic guitars. This second motif lasts about 90 seconds before Lubos and Milan fall back into their awkward dance (like two love-at-first sight-ers first encountering each other on the dance floor of a 19th Century ball). Lovely. (9.25/10)

4. "Mobilis in mobili" (3:53) trying for the "heavier" side of Smooth Jazz-Rock Fusion with some TOM SCHOLZ (BOSTON)-like electric guitar channeled in over some more BOB JAMES-like music: Fender Rhodes, horn section, funk- syncopated rhythm section. Rudolf Ticháček adds some nice accents and flourishes with his soprano sax as does Milan Svoboda on the Fender. Nice music; weird combination of the Boston guitar and Bob James music. (8.875/10)

5. "Zapomenutý ostrov" (7:58) African folk instruments like berimbau open this with Fender Rhodes, bass, and congas, yielding an almost In a Silent Way sound and feel. In the second minute the band steps up, into a quick tempo, with congas and bass leading the way while sax, Fender Rhodes, and electric guitar take turns soloing. Now they're sounding more like a Third Wave J-R Fusion band practicing the forms and rules of bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report. In the fifth minute, then, things calm down so that muted horns and flourishes from Milan's Fender and Lubos' guitar can try to fill the near-empty space. It's pretty if rather formless and without flow--kind of like everybody is standing in the middle of a tar pit, playing their instruments from one place cuz they're stuck up to their knees in the mire. Then they extract themselves from the muck and move forward in a lovely whole-group melody to the song's finish. Interesting and definitely creative! (13.5/15) 6. "Rícní písek" (4:25) more sophisticated yet gentle-on-the-ears jazz-rock with great syncopation and special play from bass player Jan Vytrhlík and the percussionists over which sax and electric guitar solo from time to time. Overall, it's just a great groove for the listener to get lost in! (9/10)

7. "Piknik" (6:42) more funked up jazz-rock of the Jazz Crusaders type. This one lets the brass/horns have more air time (no pun intended, I think). Despite the Bob JAMES-like friendliness and accessibility, the musicians once again put on a show of most excellent skill, cohesiveness, and professionalism. Interesting to hear Milan's bird-like synthesizer chirps offsetting Jaromír Helesic's drum solo in the fifth minute. The band then reconvenes for one more drive to the album's end while Lubos' liquid lightning guitar runs and the horns take us out. Not the album's best song but still a display of excellent musicianship. (8.75/10)

Total time 37:31

Though often producing very easy-to-listen to "Smooth Jazz," these are top notch musicians pulling together to create wonderfully-skilled and nuanced jazz-rock fusion. Is there anything wrong with catchy melodies and memorable hooks in jazz music? I hope not. These guys are really good at it!

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of excellent Fourth Wave Jazz-Rock Fusion aka "Smooth Jazz." These are some great compositions performed with highly nuanced, highly skilled musicians collaborating in a near-perfect ensemble. Highly recommended!

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