030. Michal David - Non Stop

When you go somewhere abroad it’s always nice to return with a souvenir as a memento of your travels. Rather than opt for a poorly moulded piece of plastic tat, or an ‘hilariously’ branded t-shirt, I think it’s much more fun to take a gamble on some indigenous music. While the adage, ‘never judge a book by its cover’ does hold some truth, when you can’t speak in local tongues, appearances and intuitions are the only tools at ones disposal.

In a dusty record shop off Old Square in central Prague, I picked up Michal David - Non Stop. Why? Because if he’s playing a keytar, it HAS to be good. David’s weapon of choice is the Roland SH-101, a powerful and sexy ‘80s analogue. During the 1980s, David quickly climbed to fame in Czechoslovakia, though by 1989 was seen as a yes-man to the Communist regime which was to rapidly lose state control. 1989 famously marked the Czech Velvet Revolution, which produced a relatively blood-free transition from Soviet controlled Communism to Democracy.

The piece lifted from this album is Zastav Můj Čas, a funky up-tempo number full of poppy goodness. As to they lyrical content one can only speculate based on the musical feel of the song. Perhaps this is a blatant piece of Communist propaganda, all profits going to the state. Or maybe this is a ‘look at me now, I bet you didn’t think I had that in me, did you?’ song. Either way, I’m not entirely sure I do want to know what he’s on about. If I did, that would destroy the magic. For now I’ll just imagine he’s singing the praises of state controlled capitalism.

Michal David - Non Stop: Zastav Můj Čas
[Supraphon : 1113 3554 H]

Music Antiquariat, Prague, Czechoslovakia: Kč 0.50