Ondrej Pivec: Overseason (2008)

John Barron

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2007

This writer enjoys listening to past giants and anyone else who doesn't try to sound like them.

Recent articles (188 total)

Published: July 22, 2008

When Czechoslovakian organist Ondrej Pivec ventured to New York City with fellow countryman drummer Tomas Hobzek, a recording session was arranged with Brooklyn-based, Canadian guitarist Jake Langley and tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm. The resulting disc, Overseason, is a groove-oriented collection of soulful sounds, steeped in the organ combo tradition and brimming with hard-hitting, progressive solos.

Pivec's compositions, which make up the bulk of the disc's material, are full of melodic hooks and funky grooves. The opening track, "Song for Sam," has a gospel vibe that recalls the recordings organist Larry Goldings made with guitarist John Scofield in the 1990s. "Nine Days Wonder," propelled by Hobzek's solid back-beat produces some intensified lines by Langley and Frahm.

Other disc highlights include a Larry Young-influenced rendering of "Invitation"—recalling the late organists legendary sessions from the 1960s with guitarist Grant Green and drummer Elvin Jones—and a heavy- handed run through of Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge."

Pivec demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Hammond B3 tradition, laying down convincing bass lines and soloing with ample amounts of greasy fervor. Through lucid lines and thick voicings, the organist evokes the lushness of Don Patterson and the drenched blues of Jimmy Smith.

All in all, Overseason is an intense, yet toe-tapping experience that beckons for repeated listening.

Track Listing: Song for Sam; Invitation; Nine Days Wonder; Overseason; Beautiful Smile; The Red Land Town; Blues for Doc; Inner Urge.

Personnel: Ondrej Pivec: organ; Jake Langley: guitar; Tomas Hobzek: drums; Joel Frahm: tenor saxophone.

Record Label: Animal Music
Style: Funk/Groove

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Puttin'on the Ritz by ORGANIC Quartet, recorded in Ostrava Jazz Open.

Ondřej Pivec Organic Quartet, Noc s Andělem. V.P. This is a short 5minute shot from a TV Show called Noc s Andelem (Night with Angel), where Organic Quartet was awarded by Czech Musical Academy Awards in 2006 for CD "Don't Get Ideas." Composition by Jakub Dolezal, called V.P.

Ondřej Pivec Organic Quartet - Noc s Andělem This is from the same evening, just a bit longer. Titled "Nine Days Wonder," by Ondrej Pivec.

Ondřej Pivec Interview - Události v Kultuře April, 28, 2008. This is from Czech TV news report (Cultural events), just after the debut of new CD Overseason.

Ondřej Pivec Interview - Události v Kultuře, ČT24, March 2008 This is an interview in Czech TV, again, Cultural Events - the topic is about Ondrej Pivec's and Tomas Hobzek's trip to New York and subsequent making of the record Overseason.

Ondřej Pivec - ČT2 (Kultura.cz), March 2008 This is a short document and biography about Ondrej Pivec, the leading persona of Czech and European jazz music.

Song "Turkish Coffee," a latin tune with the sounds of hammond organ Recorded in Jazz Lounge u Stare Pani, Prague, Czech Republic.

Ladybird - solo. FatCat club, New York Recorded in New York, 2007.