Olympic Jedeme, Jedeme

Continuation of the successful reissue series, this time in 1971

Olympic’s third album was the result of personnel and author changes. The co-founder, bassist and lyricist Pavel Chrastina left the band. Jan Hauser took his place at the instrument and Zdenek Rytir added lyrics to Janda’s melodies. The arrangements became more colourful, the stylistic Olympic anchorage was preserved. The shift took place in a looser compositional form, allowing for songs in previously unconventional lengths of over five minutes.

Jiri Stivin was a surprise guest, adding flute and saxophone passages to the rock. From today’s point of view, the biggest hit was “Bon soir, mademoiselle Paris”, but you will also remember “Kdyz jsem bejval tramp” (When I Was a Tramp), “Blaznivej Kiki” (Crazy Kiki), “Elixir” or “Strazce majaku” (The Lighthouse Keeper).

Not only the music has changed, but also the cover art. After Pacak’s recession-era Turtle and pop-art Wolverine, Olympic dressed up in historical cycling, motoring or aviation costumes to feature a stylish collage of Alan Pajer’s photographs on the cover and inside.

Reconstructing the fold-out packaging was extremely difficult this time, as the source photos were confiscated by the StB during the raid. The surprise will be the vinyl sound, newly recorded this year from the original tapes. The extensive editorial notes by O. Zamostny also push this release into the ultimate form of Olympic album reissues.