MARTIN KRATOCHVIL AND JAZZ Q

There are usually two reasons for me to get a band's box-set. First i'm a huge fan and the music has been improved upon sonically (remastered or re-mixed) or secondly the albums are out of print and buying the box-set is the only way for me to get those now rare records. I think i've only bought one box-set for the first reason (GENESIS) while the others I have were to get difficult to find music. JAZZ Q's albums are very difficult to track down so I am thankful to get my hands on this. The three star rating is because of the eight discs I rate only three of them above 3 stars and it was the first two albums in particular that I was lusting after.

I'm going to review the final disc in the set which is titled "Rare Tracks" or "Bonusy" and can be only found in this set.

I would rate this particular disc at three stars simply because it is a mixed bag. "Blues Stary Zensky" is bluesy with horns. Male vocals replace the horns after a minute. Not bad. "Zly Sen" is a top three with the keyboards, percussion and female vocals standing out. This is quite jazzy. "Jsem Sva" is uptempo with female vocals. A snappy little number. "Ovci Vina" has female vocal melodies and a dreamy sound. Guitar and a Rock sound after 1 1/2 minutes. Some crazy vocal expressions come and go. It ends like it began. "Blues Holky Na Vdavani" opens with piano as almost spoken female vocals join in. It's fuller before 2 minutes. Bluesy stuff. "Velky Bohem" is a top three and it has lots of percussion like SANTANA, then male vocals come in with guitar. I like the electric piano after 3 minutes. "Prazske Boogie" is male vocals with a catchy sound.

"Zatmeni Mesice" is laid back as male vocals come in. It's fairly intense 3 1/2 minutes in. "Blues Podzimniho Odpoledne" is mellow with reserved vocals and some bluesy guitar. "Obohodnik A Destem" builds with clapping and more. It's okay. "What A Way To Start" is short and cute. "Why Do I Have To Move" has synths a beat and vocals. "Konstelace" is my final top three. Horns and drama with intricate drumming. Electric piano comes in as well. Nice. "Witness To The World" is surprisingly a gospel song with harmonies. This is fun and very well done. Female vocals preach the word. "Goodbye !" ends it with about a nine minute uptempo instrumental. I like it !

I don't have a lot of box-sets, in fact not many at all. I can't justify buying box-sets of music I already own even if it's well packaged with lots of good info. This is a must for JAZZ Q fans and i'm sure i'll be the only one not to give this 4 or 5 stars.

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