By Chris Coleman

This festival has long been bringing some of the most provokative alternative music to Prague and this year is no exception. From November 25th to December 3rd with shows at 3 venues, let this be the reason to get out and brave the winter. German undergound heroes Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebzeit of Can on stage together and the Japanese freak-out techno demons Satanicpornocultshop are only a few of the highlights this year. Many up and coming Czech bands will flex their musical muscles, namely on December 2nd when no less than 5 bands will play at Kastan for a meagre 80kc.

This is organized by Unijazz in cooperation with the City of Prague with financial support of the Czech Ministry of Culture, Prague District 1 and Goethe-Institut Prague. All shows begin at 20:00 unless otherwise stated.

Divadlo Archa at Na porici 26 near Florenc

26.11 Magma (FR); 390 kc
Magma These German veterans of unorthodox jazz fusion with a choir have been together for over 20 years. Think of a fusion of Frank Zappa with Meatloaf and you're coming close.

27.11 Uz jsme doma (CZ), Mikrochor (CZ), Magma (FR); 390kc
Uz jsma doma These veterans of the Czech scene have been around for 20 years. This is classic rock, Czech style, with a choir to boot. The choir wail more than sings as they back the hoarse rantings of their singer. The songs have a haunting edge and jazz fringe.

28.11 Hoppy Kamiyama(Jap), Satanicpornocultshop(Jap); 190kc
Satanicpornocultshop Now here's the hot shit. Freakout techno with the attention span of a dragonfly. They throw in the funny samples and computer voices. This is Japan's answer to Aphex Twin. That dance floor damn well better be grooving!

Hoppy Kamiyama This Japanese night may be the most fun of the fest. Here we have a lively fusion of techno with funky jazz. Think of a high-energy jazz with a prominent keyboardist prone to playing extravagant, Mozartesque solos. This is playful music with digital clicks thrown in.

29.11 Burnt Friedman & Jaki Liebezeit (of Can), Double Affair (SK), Dictaphone; 190kc
Burnt Friedman & Jaki Liebezeit- Burnt Friedman is one of the most respected names in the German electronic scene and Jaki Liebezeit is a drummer from the legendary band Can, originating in the 60's. This collaboration has a distinctly acoustic feel with warm brass arrangements. With his deceptively simple electronically composed melodies you will think there should be more live instruments on stage. He has over 12 albums of material to pull from so who knows if he will pull from his more edgy experiment side. Whatever he plays, this will surely be a highlight of the festival.

Double Affair Nice, dreamy electro jazz fusion with a chill-out pace. Their pacifying singer will set your thoughts adrift.

Rybanaruby at Mánesova 87 near Jiriho z Podebrad

30.11 20:00 Tetiva snu; 120kc
Tetiva snu- Minimalist improvisation with Czech vocals

29.11 20:00 Feng-jun Song (Cina/Cz, Hearn Gadbois (USA/CZ); 120kc

30.1120:00 Bucinatores (CZ); 120kc

Bucinatores- A punishing jazz band with an excellent, gritty brass section. This is jazz with a bite. Highly recommended

1.1220:00 Zaobzor (CZ/SK); 120kc

3.1220:00 N.O.D. Stepana Smetacka a Hudba Brno (CZ); 120kc
N.O.D. Stepana Smetacka Abstract, ambient music for outer space with scary voices. This is definitely on the creepy side. You've been warned.

Kastan at Belohorská 150 near the Hradcanska metro station. Take tram 15,22, 25 to stop u Kastanu

30.11Margrit Riben & Tsuki (CH); 120kc

1.12 Birds Build Nets Underground (CZ), Josef Klic (CZ); 80kc
Birds Nest Underground Way out in left-field, this is a collage of samples set by an insistent beat. Imagine 6 records skipping or dragging simultaneously and you're coming close. The vocal samples are tribal and quite mysterious. This will either set you in a trance or make you run to the nearest exit.

Josef Klic This solo performer is all over the place on the viola and his wolf-like howls. One moment he sounds like a peaceful Baroque solo, and the next its straight of the Jaws soundtrack. This will be a pleasant surprise for those who enjoy avant-garde music.

2.1217:00 Mala Alternativa: Negero (Sokolov), Pavilon M2 (Hradec Kralove), Poco loco (Praha), Prvni hore (Jicin), Roman Kyzlink (Praha); 80kc

There will be a lot of talent playing this night. These are bands breaking into the scene, and at only 80kc there's no reason not to come. Negero are a slightly haunting fusion of jazz and rock with a passionate female singer. While Poco Loco is rather similar, reminding me of a perverse marriage of Nick Cave and Frank Zappa.

3.12FruFru (CZ); cd-christening party 80kc
FruFru- This is what goths might listen to in a cellar in complete darkness. The darkness of this music is betrayed by the light touches of a vibraphone though. Its not jazz, or hardcore or rock... Decide for yourself as they christen their new cd.

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