PRÚDY - Zvoňte zvonky (1969-pop/art/prog rock , milestone in Slovak rock music!)

It is one of the first and best pop/art/prog rock albums released in the late 60s (recorded in 1968). Zvonky Zvonte (Ring Bells, Ring) by Prudy (Currents) was a milestone in Slovak rock music. Personnel: Pavol Hammel - guitar, lead vocals; Marian Varga - piano, organ; Fedor Freso - bass, vocals; Peter Seller - guitar; Vlado Mally - drums.This is what "Scented Gardens of the Mind" has to say abount the album:"Prudy's album was a Slovakian response to Sgt. Pepper, an album full of charming pop songs with harmony vocals, lush orchestration and a hint of psychedelia. The best songs were written by Marian Varga who soon went on to form Collegium Musicum ( see my older post). His characteristic keyboard ornaments are already recognisable at this early stage. A historic (Czecho)slovakian album full of period charm. Hammel later recorded many albums with new version of Prudy. This is rather forgetable pop. More interesting are the various Varga and Hammel collaborations".Not much to add to this review - this really is a charming, mellow, even poetic album. The atmosphere may be soft overall but there are some welcome fuzz guitar breaks and you have to love Varga's harpsichord. And the music and the lyrics are great.I disagree about the latter statements as Hammel's first few solo albums are actually pretty good; admittably with some more commercial fluff thrown in.

...and now-some interesting moments from two anonymous US fans (from the net):

Ring Little Bells-is the english name of the first album of legendary band from Slovakia (in this time Czechoslovakia) Prúdy (The Jets). The great flower-power music from sixty with Marian Varga-p. org. lead, Pavol Hammel-g. vocal, Vlado Mallý-ds , Fedor Frešo-bg and Peter Saller-solo g. A1-Intro song start Marian on piano, good timing of Palo singing, perfect vocals, hymn of those times. A2-"In Front of Toyshop" with Fedor bass and Peter solo. A3-"Sad Johns Ballad" A4-"Autumnscreed" is the song with slow break before last part which is gradated up by beatifull vocals and strong tempo in the end. A5 -"Ghost". A6-"When Band is Retiring" a.k.a. Slovaks When Im 64 with great final of Marian organsolo. B1-"Follow Me" start with strong riff. Middle is slow philharmonical part and then just hell. B2-"Maybe You Love Me" with pretty back vocals. B3-"Maybe" and Vlado start final vocal part by drums. B4-"With hands in the pocket" great lyrics and Vlado. Have you heard such a drumswork anytime? B5-"Ill give you lamp" B6-"Black Rose" we are finishing just as we have started. By great song....

….I ran into this record this summer here at a Detroit record store. One word: Brilliant. I collect a lot of 60's Polish and German freakbeat, psych, and prog, so I am familiar to the process of hearing foreign language music and loving it.
This Slovak group just fell into my lap. Thanks God!
When I placed the needle down I was instantly transported to 1969. Overdriven bass guitar, savage fuzzbox guitar, piano and drums chugging along. The harmonies remind me of SELL OUT-era WHO. It's platform of the song has to be a a stab at The Kinks' 'Love Me Till The Sun Shines'. The singing is raw and melodic. Since I know the Polish language I could figureout basically what the singer was singing (well, not everything)....

Just sit down and listen music.

Download link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?2v9kmtgemmc