ETC...3 - CD

The third instalment in the reissue series celebrating the excellent albums of Vladimír Mišík and ETC… dates from 1987, when political conditions were easing, Mišík was once again allowed to sing, and the band was entering another fascinating stage of its development. Alongside its frontman, the group’s distinctive quality and success depended on violinist Jan Hrubý, cellist Jaroslav Nejezchleba, keyboardist Petr Skoumal, guitarist Stanislav Hrubeš, bassist Vladimír Kulhánek and drummer Pavel Skala. Four of them contribute songs, while new lyrics come from Jiří Dědeček and Pavel Šrut, alongside texts by Josef Kainar and Václav Hrabě. The band’s semi-acoustic rock-folk foundation is enriched by modern technology, with a greater use of synthesizers and various effects that never undermine its essence: an unmistakably Czech singer-songwriter tradition. The original tapes were restored at SONO studio by father and son Karlík, while the CD booklet includes all the lyrics, band photographs, Jiří Černý’s period sleevenote and the original, once-censored title design with its later-altered track order. The album is a reminder of ETC…’s changing line-up and enduring quality, as much more than merely Mišík’s backing band.