One of Aztec Records' most highly anticipated projects has finally been unveiled. This is
the Crown Jewel of Aussie Jazz Fusion, the first ever reissue, from legendary bass player
JACKIE ORSZ CZKY - Beramiada.
Jackie had come to Australia, in the early 1970s, with celebrated Hungarian progressive fusion
band Syrius. He went on to tour with heavy rockers Bakery before entering Trafalgar Studios,
in 1975, with producer Charles Fisher to record his debut solo album. His crack session band
comprised John Robinson (guitar; ex-Blackfeather), Peter Jones (keyboards; ex-Arena),
Graham Morgan (drums; ex-Arena) and Michael Carlos (synthesizer, ex-Tully).
The master bass player wrote all the compositions, fusing accomplished jazz and rock in the
vein of Weather Report, George Duke, Frank Zappa, Stanley Clarke and Caravanserai-era
Santana. Beramiada was a fictitious land named after one of Jackie's uncles who was killed in
World War I. 'Morning in Beramiada' and 'Tubarose' explore the full depth of the instrumental
music on offer. 'Thoughts of Home' is a quieter, introspective piece written during his touring
days with Bakery. 'White Raven' is drawn from his time with Syrius; it was Part I of the
ambitious, three part 'Children Suite'.
The funkiest track, 'Friends Of Mrs. S', opens with a killer break beat, followed by Jackie's
elastic bass lines, washes of Robinson's wacka-wacka guitar, and tinkling electric piano. It's a
superb piece, right in the pocket, continuing to evolve like something off Jeff Beck's Blow by
Blow. As a Bonus Track we've included his solo single from 1976, the rare groove funk killer
'Let's Go And Make It'.
