Čím je svět můj (Progres 2, 1982)

This is an excellent prog rock track from the '80s, but please note Progres 2 actually were active also during the '70s in the Czech musical scene (they're from Brno, more exactly). This track features a very good mix of mainstream rock, progressive rock and assorted electronic sounds from the '80s. It's the closing track from the double album "Třetí kniha džunglí", also released in English as "The Third Book of The Jungle".

"Třetí kniha džunglí" was the fourth album by Progres 2.

As a matter of fact, Progres 2 love Kipling's literary masterpiece, as they had already written an album titled "Barnodaj – Mauglí" on the same subject. I like the dynamic and everchanging mood of "Čím je svět můj" (titled in Englis "What My World Really Is") and especially the guitars, ruling most of the instrumental parts. As you could expect from a closing epic, the volume is very high and there are some majestic and noisy walls of sound throughout the song. But, well, this is prog rock, baby!

Sukuba (Jeseter, 2007)

A surprising piece of prog, if you believe me. This Czech band apparently began their career as a Yes-inspired act, but their first album surely was something else. ''Slavnost Pro Jednoho'' (meaning "Celebration for One") is a collection of crossover prog songs, somehow inspired by some East-European experimental bands, and still keeping many canons from the Golden Era Symphonic rock.

 

Jeseter came back with their sophomore work in 2012.

This "Sukuba" ("Succubus") is based on a syncopated rythm (IQ would have liked that one), then goes on through unpredictable paths, including a passionate vocal performance, a jazzy vintage section , a lysergic guitar / keyboards interplay, a pinch Church organ, a scary vocal part  and even a folkish ballad section. The '70s mood is everywhere, but you couldn't define a prevailing influence here. Jeseter have all the virtues a good prog band should have to go on. I really hope they will.

Já nejsem já (Ota Petřina, 1978)

A rather vast production of prog or prog related rock sprung up in Eastern Europe between 1973 and the early '80s.  Ota Petřina is one of the finest authors of that wave and he released the album "Super-Robot", probably his best one, in 1978 under a label band bearing his own name. This track, "Já nejsem já" (something like "I'm not myself"in English), opens the LP.

Ota Petřina also released an extended 2-CD version of this album in 2009.

It's a mellow and spacey epic, very well written and played, somewhat reminiscent of the most known British prog heroes, but with a special, introspective and pulsing sound of its own. Also the lyrics in Czech contribute to that, and even more do so the delicate acoustic interludes, breaking the ruling keyboard / bass guitar interplays. I really enjoy this song each time I listen to it and so I hope yo'll do.