Chorchestr is a nine-piece Czech party band led by singer/guitarist Mario Buzzi and Jirí Hradil on Hammond organ. A groovy rhythm section, a three-headed brass line, and two choir girls complete the ranks. On
Arabig Bit, the group proposes a blend of about every music style that can feature the combination of a driving beat and horn licks. Ska, reggae, disco, and funk influences filter through everywhere on the album, usually each in its turn. Good musician skills and an entertaining alternating between male and female lead vocals keep things interesting. Buzzi is credited for sampling duties, but the electronic aspect remains buried into the mix and marginal in any case. The focus remains on groovy rhythm guitar, reggae organ grooves, and horn licks derived from
Earth, Wind & Fire. The singers sing mainly in Czech, engaging English listeners in two tracks ("Mombasa Underground" and "Habibi") and Spanish ones once ("Hey Gringo"). The ritualistic inanity of disco lyrics make this dimension of the group's songs irrelevant to language barriers.
Chorchestr puts some effort in the arrangements, but the prime interest resides in the contagious energy these tracks unleash. It's not particularly original but quite efficient. The album was produced by famous Czech drummer (and, ironically, innovator) Pavel Fajt, who also lends a percussive hand here and there. ~ François Couture