From Miroslav Vitouš to The Keyboard Conclave: Czech Jazz, Electric and Alive

Yesterday, I shared something from the great Miroslav Vitouš—a true Czech legend whose work helped shape the sound of modern jazz. Today, I’m staying in the Czech jazz scene, but shifting focus to a deep-cut treasure that deserves the spotlight: The Keyboard Conclave, a self-titled album by a group of powerhouse musicians built around, as the name promises, keys.

This instrumental album is a masterclass in post-bop, fusion, and Latin jazz grooves. At its core are three keyboardists—two electric piano players, Emil Viklický and Karel Růžička, and pianist Gabriel Jonáš—each with their own unique voice and touch. They don’t compete; they converse, creating a rich, layered sound that stays rhythmically tight and harmonically adventurous.

Supporting them is a solid rhythm section: drums, percussion, and bass—each player doing exactly what’s needed to give space for the keys to shine, but with enough energy to keep everything moving. The band may be called The Keyboard Conclave, but it's very much a full-band effort, with chemistry you can feel in every track.

My personal favorite on the album? 'Shooting-Gallery Rose'. It’s a standout—a tense, propulsive piece that balances sharp rhythmic interplay with deep harmonic color. No words, no vocals—just instruments speaking volumes.

Today I’m sharing the 1978 repress of the album, which came out with a different sleeve design than the original. Still the same powerful sound, still just as fresh decades later.

If you're into electric jazz with edge, groove, and that distinct Central European twist—The Keyboard Conclave is a must-hear.

Bass Guitar – #PetrKořínek

Congas – #JiříTomek

Drums – #JosefVejvoda

Electric Piano [Left Channel] – #EmilViklický (tracks: A1 to B1, B3)

Electric Piano [Right Channel] – #KarelRůžička

Piano – #GabrielJonáš (tracks: A1 to B1, B3)

#TheKeyboardConclave #NowSpinning #VinylLove #CzechJazz #FlamingoBand #CzechoslovakJazz #OstravaSound #vinylcollection #musicrecordcurator #recordoftheday #recordcollection #vinylrecords #recordcollector #vinylgram #recordgram #instarecords #vinylculture #vinylcommunity #vinyladdict

Czech Jazz Rarity: Plameňáci / Flamingo & Marie Rottrová – 75

After yesterday’s dive into Russian vinyl, today I’m bringing it closer to home—with a gem from Czechoslovakia that deserves more international ears: Plameňáci / Flamingo & Marie Rottrová – 75.

Formed in 1966 in the industrial city of Ostrava, the band Plameňáci (later known as Flamingo) fused jazz, soul, and beat with a distinctly Eastern European flair. They were led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Richard Kovalčík, a visionary who shaped their unique sound until his untimely death in 1975. This album, released the same year, is both a milestone and a tribute—marking the end of one era and the timelessness of their music.

Front and center is the legendary Marie Rottrová, a voice of gold and velvet. Her powerful yet elegant delivery elevated Flamingo's sound into something transcendent. Often called the 'Lady Soul' of Czechoslovakia, Rottrová brought authenticity to soul, funk, and jazz-influenced tracks in a time and place where Western music was both desired and censored.

The album 75 is a rare Czech jazz treasure—groovy, moody, and rich with emotion. It’s also a reminder that beyond Prague's classical legacy, the Czech Republic has produced some seriously deep and soulful jazz records that deserve a spot in any serious collection.

Vinyl heads, crate diggers, and jazz lovers—you might want to keep your eyes open for this one.

Plameňáci = Flamingo & Marie Rottrová – 75

Label: Supraphon – 1 13 1695

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress

Country: Czechoslovakia

Released: 1977

Genre: #Jazz, Rock, Funk / Soul

Style: #JazzRock, #JazzFunk, Pop Rock, Funk

A1 Poslední Okamžik

A2 Lásky Žen (I'll Be Home)

A3 Pyšná Dáma

A4 Malovaná Kapela

A5 Quasimodův Sen I. (Esmeralda)

B1 Quasimodův Sen II. (Quasimodo)

B2 Čas Motýlů

B3 Dvojité Salto

B4 Tvůj Přítel Vítr

Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Congas, Backing Vocals – #MiroslavVečeřa

Backing Vocals – #PetrŠibilev

Bass Guitar – Petr Šibilev (tracks: A4)

Bass Guitar, Leader – #JiříUrbánek (tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B4)

Bongos, Backing Vocals – #PetrNěmec

Drums [Bicí] – #RadekDominik

Guitar – #RichardKroczek

Lead Guitar [Sólová Kytara] – #JanHasník

Lead Vocals – #MarieRottrová (tracks: A2, A3, A5 to B2, B4)

Organ [Varhany], Piano, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – #VladimírFigar

Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Backing Vocals – #RudolfBřezina

Trumpet – #RadekPobořil

Trumpet, Leader – #RichardKovalčík (tracks: A4)

#SupraphonRecords #NowSpinning #VinylLove #CzechJazz #FlamingoBand #CzechoslovakJazz #OstravaSound #vinylcollection #musicrecordcurator #recordoftheday #recordcollection #vinylrecords #recordcollector #vinylgram #recordgram #instarecords #vinylculture #vinylcommunity #vinyladdict

There’s something special about sliding a record out of its sleeve when it still has that crisp Japanese obi intact — like unwrapping a secret message from the jazz gods. Today’s post is all about a record that’s been spinning in my mind for days: Infinite Search by Miroslav Vitous, Japanese pressing on Embryo Records, complete with that apple-green obi and the original insert.

Two days ago, I dropped a gem from Russia. Yesterday, and again today, the Czech Republic has taken center stage — and for good reason. Miroslav Vitous, originally from Prague, was only in his early twenties when he recorded this monster session, yet he played like he’d already seen the edge of the universe. And he wasn’t alone.

Released in 1970, Infinite Search came out on Embryo Records in the U.S., but the Japanese pressing brings a totally different magic. The attention to detail — from the apple green obi to the deep black pressing, to the precise, airy mastering — it all feels like a love letter to the music itself. And yes, the Japanese insert is here, loaded with kanji and lined translations, adding to that collector’s mystique.

Miroslav Vitous – Infinite Search

Label: #EmbryoRecords – P-7501A, Embryo Records – SD 524

Series: Pick Up Your Music, Jazz-Forever Excellent

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold

Country: Japan

Released: Oct 25, 1976

Genre: Jazz

Style: #FreeJazz, #JazzFusion

A1 Freedom Jazz Dance

A2 Mountain In The Clouds

A3 When Face Gets Pale

A4 Cérečka

B1 Infinite Search

B2 I Will Tell Him On You

B3 Epilogue

Bass – #MiroslavVitous

Drums – #JackDeJohnette (tracks: A1 to B2), #JoeChambers (tracks: B3)

Electric Piano – #HerbieHancock

Guitar – #JohnMcLaughlin

Tenor Saxophone – #JoeHenderson

Written-By – #EddieHarris (tracks: A1), Miroslav Vitous (tracks: A2 to B3)

Producer – #HerbieMann

#NowSpinning #VinylLove #CzechJazz #FlamingoBand #CzechoslovakJazz #OstravaSound #vinylcollection #musicrecordcurator #recordoftheday #recordcollection #vinylrecords #recordcollector #vinylgram #recordgram #instarecords #vinylculture #vinylcommunity #vinyladdict