Prazsky Vyber: 1978 Mini Jazz Klub, 1978 Zizen, 1987 Tatrman, 1989 Straka v Hrsti

 

Discogged:

Czech rock-jazz group, also known as “The Prague Selection”. Originally formed by Michael Kocáb in 1975 as a jazz combo, featuring the Prague Big Band (aka Pražský big band) rhythm section; the group name is also an ironic reference to a cheap Czech wine brand. Reformed in 1980 as a rock and new wave group. They were also regularly performing as a studio rhythm section, either anonymously or under various monikers (e.g. Elektrovox or even as members of TOČR). Between 1983–1986 prohibited from performing or recording due to communist censorship. Definitively disbanded in December 2005. Revived in 2006 by Kocáb with a Czech-Australian line-up as “Pražský Výběr II”. Reunited in the “classic” 1980s line-up in 2012, including both drummers.

Members 2012: Michael Kocáb (leader, keyboards, vocals), Michal Pavlíček (guitar, vocals), Vilém Čok (bass guitar, vocals), Jiří Hrubeš (drums), Klaudius Kryšpín (drums).

Former members until 1980: Jiří Niederle (saxophone), Ondřej Soukup (bass guitar), Jan Žižka (drums), Zdeněk Fišer (guitar), Vratislav Placheta (drums), Martin Koubek (guitar), Ladislav Malina (drums), Jiří Tomek (vocals, percussion), and numerous guest artists.

Michael Kocab has appeared here before, notably with singer Olmerova.

And you might recall Pavlicek from the brilliant Mini Jazz Klub here, and the Stromboli, and Minotaurus.

The 1978 Zizen (Thirst) fusion is a masterpiece though. Note that keyboardist Kratochvil, of April Orchestra and Jazz Q fame, is on here too.

The track called Cerpadlo has the unmistakable Kratochvil sound to it:

I decided to listen to the later, 1980s albums, but as mentioned these are mostly new wave, with minimal fusion.

From Straka, Bangabaseva:

From Tatrman, the title track: