Hodovnice

review by François Couture on www.allmusic.com

Fans of medieval-esque music should rejoice -- Tomás Kocko's third album, Hodovnice, is exemplary in terms of writing, performance, and production. Kocko takes inspiration from European music of the Middle Ages, but is not enslaved to it. His original songs take many liberties in harmony, melody, and instrumentation (including the use of a sitar in "Godula"), but they always feel comfortable and at home. Kocko himself performs on acoustic guitar and mandolin. The group includes a violinist (Pavel Hanousek), flutist (Petra Václavíková), contrabassist (Jirí Vágner), percussionist (Petr Hladík), and a dulcimer player (Michaela Lipárová). The music never crosses to rock, the percussionist only playing small instruments and hand drums. Therefore, the music stays closer to Pentangle than, say, Jethro Tull. It is joyous, festive, and respectful of what has become known as medieval music of the British and French varieties. Many European and North American artists produce similar albums, but Hodovnice stands on top of most of them, thanks to Kocko's beautiful troubadour voice and the ensemble's musicianship. The fact that the lyrics are sung in Czech should not stop music lovers -- the songs are communicative enough on their own. Highlights include the title track (featuring a children's choir to back up the incantatory chorus), "Ze Zeme," and "Beltine." Strongly recommended.