Modrý Efekt (Blue Effect) - (1971) - Nová Syntéza

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Lead by ace guitarist Radim Hladík, MODRÝ EFEKT were one of the major progressive bands in Czechoslovakia; they were to their own country what OMEGA were to Hungary, or SBB to Poland. They started out in 1968 with a couple of early R&B-oriented albums. Actually, these were released under the band’s original name, BLUE EFFECT. However, the Czech governement strongly disapproved of English names at the time, so the band switched to MODRÝ EFEKT and later to simply M.EFEKT. After these two albums, their material veered towards jazz rock and by the early 80’s, following sereval personnel changes, their music had become a little less prog, more accessible. They released their last album in 1981 and then quietly disappeared.

Of particular interest to prog fans are three albums: “Modrý Efekt & Radim Hladík” (1975) which features an energetic mix of YES-like symphonic rock with some fusion; the overall effect will likely remind you of FINCH or CRUCIS. Emphasizing Hladik’s brilliant soloing, this was the album that established him as “the” Czech guitarist par excellence. However, it is “Svitanie” (1977) that is considered the band’s true masterpiece. With its sinewy bass lines and bold keyboard/guitar melodies, it is still quite YES-influenced but it also has a definite Czech flavour that makes it unique. Finally, there is the bolder, more complex and not so YES-like album titled “Svet Hledacu – World of Searchers” (1979); this one is characterized by many sudden tempo shifts and emphasizes the flux between the spacey synths and Hladik’s biting guitars. Except for this album, whose 5 official tracks are all sung, the band’s répertoire is mostly instrumental.

Primarily recommended to fusion lovers but YES fans will also likely find something to sink their teeth into.

Studio Album, released in 1971

Track Listings
1. Má hra (9:00)
2. Směr Jihovýchod (5:50)
3. Popínavý břečťan (5:55)
4. Blues Modrého efektu (8:00)
5. Nová syntéza (14:25)

Bonus tracks on 1997 CD re-issue:
6. Kingdom of life (4:00)
7. You'll stay with me (4:23)
8. Brothers song (2:20)

Total Time: 53:53

Line-up/Musicians
- Radim Hladík / guitars
- Jiří Kozel / bass
- Vlado Čech / drums
- Vladimír Mišík / vocals
- Miloš Svoboda / guitars

+ Czechoslovakian Jazz Orchestra

Releases information
Recorded on 20th July, 1971 in Prague (tracks 1-5).
LP Panton 01 0288 (mono) / LP Panton 11 0288 (stereo)
CD Bonton 71 0552-2 (1997) with 3 bonus tracks (in track listing) - taken from the album "Kingdom Of Life" (1971), remastered by Oldřich Slezák in studio ADK Prague

Modrý Efekt (Blue Effect) - (1977) - Svitanie

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Studio Album, released in 1977

Track Listings
1. Vysoká stolička, dlhý popol / High chair, long ashes (10:12)
2. Ej, padá, padá rosenka / Dew is falling, falling (6:36)
3. V sobotu popoludní / On Saturday afternoon (4:15)
4. Svitanie / Dawning (19:35)

Bonus track on 1998 CD re-issue:
5. Golem (1976 Supraphon) (6:47)

Total Time: 47:25

Line-up/Musicians
- Vlado Čech / drums, percussion
- Fedor Frešo / bass, bass mandoline, vocals, percussion
- Radim Hladík / acoustic & electric guitars
- Oldřich Veselý / acoustic & electric pianos, organ, Arp & string synths, vocals

Releases information
Recorded in January 1977, in Pezinok (Slovakia) (tracks 1-4).
LP Opus 9116 0541
CD Opus 91 2629-2331 (1998) with 1 bonus track (in track listing)

The Blue Effect 1969-70 Kingdom Of Life

01 Kingdom Of Life
02 White Hair
03 You'll Stay With Me
04 Brother's Song
05 Sunny Grave
06 Little Girl
07 Deserted Alley
08 Blues About Stone
09 Rainy Day
10 Where Is My Star

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