Luboš Andršt

JAZZ Q was formed in 1964 by Martin Kratochvil (piano) and Jiri Stivin (woodwinds). In their early years, they were inspired by the late 50s free jazz happening in America. By the late 60s though, after becoming familiar with the English rock scene, Kratochvil decided to go in a more electric and groove-based direction. Jiri Stivin wasn't keen on playing this style and left shortly after recording their debut LP from 1970 "Coniunctio", which was a collaboration with a severed line-up of Blue Effect, and stylistically was a mish-mash of rock, fusion and free jazz. Kratochvil completely revamped the line-up with guitarist Lubos Andrst (Framus 5, Energit), bassist Vladimir Pudranek (Energit, ETC) and drummer Michal Vrbovec.

Finally got this excellent Czech fusion band a CD reissue! The expanded, remastered album gives us two discs full filled with complet studio recordings by band plus never released bonus tracks from personally archives of band leader and guitarist Luboš Andršt. Bonuses sounds very good, in spite of the fact that they was recorded live. Both LP and EP presentate fusion in the vein of The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report or Corea's Return To Forever. Difference between two albums is, that for Piknik's recordings was invited a brass section. Bonus tracks from the first disc are above mentioned lonely EP, further live track "Superstimulátor", composition earlier presentated on fame Jazzrock Workshop vol. 2 and finally three live tracks…

Framus Five (also known as Framus 5; Michal Prokop & Framus Five) were formed in the early sixties; Michal Prokop (vocals, guitar) was one of co-founders and later the spiritus movens of the band. Up to this day the band had constant shifting in the line-up, and more than thirty musicians went through it, but the most significant ones are Lubos Andrst, a renowned Czech blues guitarist, and Jan Hrubý on violin. Their first album, 'Blues In Soul' (1968) is exactly what its name suggests. However, a 1971 'Mesto Er', probably the most interesting point of their career for a prog enthusiast, with a prog rock that combined many elements, including blues, jazz big band, and poetry.