Ota Petřina

Album Overview

Ota Petřina's debut solo album, Super-robot, emerged in 1978 under the Supraphon label. This Czechoslovak rock guitarist, singer, and composer recorded the album in July 1977 at the Mozarteum studio in Prague. The album is a combination of various genres, including rock, progressive rock, hard rock, space rock, and art rock, reflecting the diverse musical influences of the time.

Creative Team

The lyrics of Super-robot were penned by Zdeněk Rytíř. Ota Petřina not only composed the music but also arranged it, demonstrating his multifaceted talents. The album's sound was shaped under the supervision of recording engineers Jan Spálený and Jan Hrábek. Artistic contributions came from Michael Prostějovský, while the cover art was designed by Petr Foltera, featuring photography by Alan Pajer.

Musical Composition

The album consists of seven tracks that explore themes of artificial intelligence, mechanization, human identity, and technological alienation. The opening suite, “Já Nejsem Já,” runs for 10 minutes and 45 seconds, setting the stage for the album’s exploration of personal and existential themes. The title suite, “Super-robot,” follows with an 11-minute and 40-second runtime, further delving into the concept of technology's impact on humanity.

The core musicians on this project include Ota Petřina on lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, flute, and harmonica. Vladimír Padrůněk contributed on bass guitar, and Anatoli "Tolja" Kohout played drums. Jan Neckář added depth with piano and synthesizer arrangements. The combination of these musicians brought a unique sound to the album, bridging various styles and influences.

Musical Themes and Style

Super-robot is characterized by its blend of hard-rocking tracks, spacey synthesizer interludes, and soulful blues-prog ballads. The album presents a narrative that invites listeners to contemplate the relationship between humanity and technology. Each track contributes to the overarching concept, allowing for a cohesive listening experience.

Release Details

Released in 1978, Super-robot was cataloged as 1 13 2269 / 1 13 2330 by Supraphon. The album's innovative sound and themes continue to resonate with fans of progressive rock.