DEZO URSINY & IVAN STRPKA: PRÍBEH

When Ursiny recorded this album, he was seriously ill, struggling through the recordings. Taking this into the account with the fact that his last two records were uninpired and repetitive, much behind his great classic material, one would assume that... WAIT! This, his last album, is one of the best he has ever made. Excellent melodies and musicianship. The songs are deep and very emotional. Also, the record is very accessible, but without getting poppy or losing Ursiny´s uniqueness.

Príbeh After an opening part, usual for Ursiny´s album since the mid eighties, the track gets a slower atmospheric middle part, after which a funkier passage follows and then all the passages go again one after another. František Kop plays a nice saxophono solo. Bothe šeban and Ursiny get also their lead spots, Ursiny ´s is typically minimalistic and evocative, while Šeban´s is more rocking and also technical. 5 stars

Na druhom konci palice The weakest track, very similar to work on the few preceeding albums. Still, the melody is fine, even though it´s a rip off. 2 .5 stars

Balada o prázdnej miske Rocking and much more energetic than the previous one. The melody is tremendous,typically Ursiniesque, lively and inspired. Šeban plays great guitar, with licks and two long solos he effortlessly pulls off. Ursiny´s vocals are great as well. 5 stars

Malá mucha v uchu osla A great, eastern flavoured melody, with atmospheric guitar lines from Šeban and fine drumming from Frátrik. Again, also terrific singing from Ursiny. This one has a meditative feel to it. 5 stars

Koľko je hodín In a long time, this track is the funkiest Ursiny has recorded, not only concerning the melody, but also his vocals. Filip plays minimalistic organ and Kop gets a great saxophone solo. 5 stars

Bingo Šeban plays atmospheric Gilmoresque guitar lines and Filip adds marvelous jazzy piano, while Ursiny sings really welll. Both Šeban and Filip play relaxed jazzy solos as well. 4.5 stars

Ktosi ešte bdie This one is even better, arguably one of the best songs Ursiny has ever written. The melody, punctuated by a few simple piano lines is mesmerizing, one of his most atmospheric tracks, annd perfectly performed. 5 stars

Kto to tam stojí Again jazzier, and the melody is solid, even though not that great than others on the album. Ursiny even plays a solo, with his typically "lazy" notes. Similar to much of his mid eighties, early nineties work, which makes the rating lower. 3 stars

Sestra Beta The second funky influenced track on here. Jaroslav Filip plays another hypnotic melody consisting of only a few notes, similar to that one in Ktosi ešte bdie. With it and Kop´s saxophone, the track becomes more jazzier. 4 stars

Samá voda The track is again based upon a funky groove, but the melody is better. Also, Šeban is more prominent, playing a nice guitar solo. the track gets enhanced by a flute solo, too, courtesy of guest Juraj Bartoš. 4 stars.

Heroín A nice track with great work by the band and fine vocal performance from Ursiny. Still, the melody is basically the same as Koľko je hodín, creating a nice sequel to it. 4 stars

Stojatý vodný tulák Great melody, fine guitar and vocals from Ursiny. The track flows really nice and the whole band works perfectly. 5 stars

Overal rating: 5 STARS

ESSENTIAL: A MASTERPIECE OF PROGRESSIVE MUSIC.