Jazz has been an international music since the 1920s, so it is no longer all that surprising that two of the three musicians on this trio date (guitarist
Rudy Linka and bassist
George Mraz) were born in Czechoslovakia; hence its title. Although there is close interplay between the musicians, which also include drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, the guitarist is clearly the lead voice. His cool-toned sound and harmonically advanced style should appeal to
Jim Hall fans. All of the selections (other than "Come Rain or Come Shine") are
Linka's originals, and the music falls into the hard bop/post-bop idiom. The low volume only partly masks the intensity, and the playing throughout is impressive, if sometimes a little dry. Well worth checking out. ~ Scott Yanow