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Modrý Efekt & Radim Hladík — Modrý Efekt & Radim Hladík (AKA A Benefit of Radim Hladík)
(Bonton 495274 2, 1976/2000, CD)

by Mac Beaulieu, Published 2001-03-01

Modrý Efekt & Radim Hladík (AKA A Benefit of Radim Hladík) Cover art

This is a really great artifact from 1973-4 Czechoslovakia. The music is instrumental for the most part, and not particularly Eastern European sounding. As a matter of fact, I'm much more inclined to think of early Santana and Focus. As suggested by the title, the star of the show is Radim Hladík and his guitar (as well as his compositions), but this is not a gratuitous study in the technical showmanship of a man and his guitar. Some aspects of his playing and sound are rather dated, but delightfully so, and he's one of those rare guitarists with chops to spare who could also make his guitar sing, reminding me at times of Finch's Joop van Nimwegan. "Boty" opens the disc with 10 minutes of passionately inspired early 70s smoking rock, followed by the mellow "Cajovna," where Hladík uses multiple overdubs that dance around its plaintive theme. The Focus comparison comes to the fore on "Skladanka," with its mad flute and the fusiony electric piano, and "Ztraty a nalezy" provides another chance to chill, and another chance for Hladík to wail soulfully. The rest of the band is tight and active, and the sound is nicely fleshed out with guitar overdubs and prominent supporting roles by the bass, drums, and to a lesser extent, guest keys. Two bonus tracks from the earlier, The Blue Effect album are included. They're more rock based and raw, but still enjoyable. If you like early 70s prog rock that rocks, it's hard to go wrong with this.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 21, 2000 releases, 1976 recordings

Related artist(s): Modrý Efekt (Blue Effect), Radim Hladík

 

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