This is
Docuku's first album, released a few months after the Czech label Indies included two of their songs on its compilation album
Carohraní ("Husle" and "Cí To Chlapci," also included here). The group approaches the Slovak and Moravian folk repertoires with fresh ears, eager to add rock elements (mainly rhythmic, and without insisting too much) and revamp them, while adding four originals that fare well amidst the time-tested songs. The instrumentation steers clear of electricity, focusing on acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin, accordion, double bass, and drums, all performed by capable musicians -- violinist Lukás Spanihel stands out as a driving force. But the real strength of this group resides in its dual male/female lead vocals, courtesy of guitarist Jirí Buksa and mandolin player Lucie Redlová, and its powerful group vocals, all members joining in for key vocal passages, performing some poignant harmonies. Mostly, this group introduces youthfulness to the songs. Avoiding the heaviness of more rock-prone Czech groups like
Traband or
Teagrass,
Docuku comes up with a lighter recipe without trading on content. Highlights include accordionist Roman Vavrik's "Husle" and "Mord," the driving "Isiel Janko," and the simple dance tune "Hungarika," here sent through an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of arrangements, musicians bumping the melody toward each other (including guest flutist Jarek Stojan) like it were a pinball. The album concludes with "Cí to Chlapcí," a spirited, powerful Moravian song sung as a group and driven by the rhythm section of Karel Mikus (drums) and Martin Kuchar (double bass). Here, the group matches the festive spirit of
Gothart (the Czech Republic's finest post-revolution folk band), providing a strong finale to a strong debut album.