Along with The Matadors, Flamengo were one of the earliest Czech groups that started out in the mid-60's as beat bands and recorded a bunch of singles on legal state apparatchik label. Their then-leader Frantisek Francl was a well regarded fuzzed-up guitarist and wrote most of their track (even if they did a cover of John Mayall's No Reply), but with time, the group changed line-up and with the arrival of the now-legendary vocalist Vladimir Misik and woodwind player Jan Kubik, the group's sound was dramatically affected and started sounding like a brass rock band, with a slightly more jazz twist than the better know US groups. They might be compared best with Colosseum and sometimes Traffic. Their sole album Kuře v Hodinkách is a great bland of hard rock and early jazz rock. Music is more blues based hard rock, with lot's of horn arrangements, with slight soul influence as well - think along the lines of Traffic or the German band Lucifer's Friend, mixed with early Uriah Heep. The album starts with a heavy guitar riff doubled by sax, followed by another heavy song "Rám Prístích Obrazu", with great hammond playing and sax work. After a great climax the track ends in a with Vladimir Misik singing a stunning high F#. The next track opens with a fast sax/guitar unison lick, and follows in a straightforward bluesy fashion. "Já A Dým" is another highlight, with soft acoustic guitars and flute supporting Vladimir Misik. In particular this track evokes some similarities to Traffic. "Par stoleni" is also another great ballad, with a dreamy atmosphere, because of the sustained vibraphone sound and flute. This album was set to be released in 72 on the state label Supraphon, but apparently was quickly banned by the regime. Nothing was heard from the musicians until 76, so most likely, they chose to lay low for a while. Line-up / Musicians Jan Kubik/saxophone,flute,clarinet,vocals Pavel Fort/guitar,vocals Ivan Khunt/organ,vocals Vladimir Guma Kulhanek/bass,vocals Jaroslav Erno Sedivy/drums Vladimir Misik/vocals,guitar Discography(Album) Kuře v Hodinkách 1972
1.Kure V Hodinkach (Introdukce)/Chicken In The Watch (Introduction) 2.Rám Prístích Obrazu/Frames Of Future Pictures 3.Jenom Laska Vi Kam/Only Love Knows Where 4.Já A Dým/Me And The Smoke 5.Chvile Chvil/Moment Of The Moments 6.Pár Století/Some Centuries 7.Doky, Vlaky,Hlad A Boty/Dockyards,Trains,Hunger And Shoes 8.Stále Dál/Further On 9.Kure V Hodinkach/Chicken In The Watch
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