V / A: Art Rock Line 1971-1985 (2x CD) - CD

In Czechoslovakia, the seventies and the beginning of the eighties were marked by compositionally and instrumentally sophisticated rock music. The musicians who had been youthful beat music players in the previous decade transformed into masterful instrumentalists and adults, tackling more complex themes in both content and form. This was influenced by global trends, characterised by monothematic albums, extended track lengths, and elaborate stage presentations. Reflections of all this can be found in the domestic recordings of that era.
The traditionally crucial role of Prague's rock scene was massively complemented by bands from Brno and Bratislava. In the Moravian case, these bands grew out of vocal traditions, while in the Slovak case, they capitalised on the unique talents of their instrumentalists.

This compilation includes a total of 36 recordings from the Supraphon, Panton, and Opus catalogues. You will find what are stylistically perhaps the most famous art-rock groups, namely Blue Effect, Synkopy, Barnodaj/Progres, and Collegium Musicum, but the progressive rock genre is viewed more broadly. Therefore, it also includes the brilliant guitar work of Griglák's Fermata, Petřina's Super-robot, and Janda's Abraxas, as well as the choral excellence of C&K Vocal and the complex artistic uniqueness of Ursiny and Spálený. The successful album/stage projects of Olympic and Petr Novák further illustrate an era that was inhospitable to rock, overcome by high-quality Czech lyrics and a significant proportion of instrumental music, which was less provocative to the censors.
Sonically remastered, with a booklet looking back at the art-rock era and featuring graphically interesting covers.

Year of release: 2021

Tracklist

CD 1 / P. F. 1972 / Part VII. / Piesně z kolovrátku / Pieseň z kolovrátku / Refrén / Ptačí sonáta / To se stává / Hůl v slunečních hodinách / Kráska a zvíře / Kráska a zvíře Týden dlouhý / Kráska a zvíře Snadné je zapomínat / Telegram / Kráska a zvíře Proč? / Rumunská rapsódia / Posledný jarmok v Radvani / Zadané / V sobotu popoludní / Hledám své vlastní já / Avignonské slečny z Prahy / Cesta jinam / část 2 / Ptáci / Vzpoura moogů / CD 2 / Doky, vlaky, hlad a boty / Balada o zemi / Znám cokoli / Vnitřní svět tvých jantarových očí / Phalaenopsis / Computer III. generace / Štěstí / Píseň o jablku / Setkání / Nové dieťa / Dnes v noci / Pristátie v marci / Edison / III. / Signál času / Odpusťte mi. / Variace na závěr / Vzdálenosti (Země) / Černá mše za nukleárního Boha (Nenávist) / Kyvadlo času