Record Reviews

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ HOMAGE TO JOAN MIRO SUPRAPHON 11 0763 (Barcode: 8596911076323) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1987 Released: 1989 This is a beautiful album by the Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with saxophonist Frantisek KopFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and Slovak drummer Cyril ZelenakFind albums by this artist. The Talich String QuartetFind albums by this artist accompanies the quartet on the three-part suite, dedicated to the great Spanish / Catalan painter / sculptor Joan MiroFind albums by this artist. In addition to the suite, the album presents five tracks of quartet performances. All the music was composed by Viklicky, except one track composed by Uhlir and another by Czech bassist / composer Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist. It was Viklicky’s 4th album for the state owned (at the time) SupraphonFind albums on this label label. It was produced by my Friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist, now sadly departed. In addition to the obvious Classical elements involved in the music presented here, there are also many references to Czech Folklore, which is almost an omnipresent component of Viklicky’s music over time. The wonderful amalgam of all these influences and the modern Jazz approach produce a powerful impression on the listener and results in a timeless masterpiece, which sounds today as fresh as it did when first released. I have not heard this album since it was first released and managed to find a copy in a Prague second hand CD shop during my recent visit in town, which makes me very happy. In retrospect, the album is a great document of Eastern European Jazz in the late 1980s, which were a troubled time, but also full of hope for a great change, which was forthcoming. I recall my visit in Czechoslovakia and the meeting with future President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist, during his 1989 imprisonment, which made a great impression on me at the time. Those were certainly interesting times and the Czech music scene was bubbling with invention and new discoveries, which is perfectly reflected in the music on this album and many other albums recorded around this period. Of course the musicianship and the quality of the compositions are all superb, and as already mentioned, lost nothing of its great vigor and intellectual quality. Although seemingly quite “tamed”, the music is full of surprises, twists and turns and farsighted innovation, which spark with talent and a great love of the Jazz idiom. Overall, this is a beautiful album in every respect, a true classic full of great melodies, perfect swing and aesthetic, innovative Jazz Classical Fusion, all wrapped in an irresistible package. It is definitely worthy of an honorable place in any serious Jazz albums collection and a must for East European Jazz enthusiasts.

Updated: 22/08/2025Posted: 22/08/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ ZA HORAMA, ZA LESAMA… (BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS, BEYOND THE WOODS) SUPRAPHONE 6909 (Barcode: 099925690922) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1989 Released: 2023 This is a reissue / remaster of a wonderful album by the Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and Slovak drummer Cyril ZelenakFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians participate on selected tracks, including violinist Jiri PavlicaFind albums by this artist, who co-arranged three of the tracks and a couple of vocalists. The album presents ten tracks, one of which is an original composition by Viklicky and the rest are arrangements of Czech Folk songs. The album was recorded during the dramatic period shortly before the Velvet Revolution, which freed Czechoslovakia from the iron grip of Soviet domination. In these troubled days playing Jazz, and even more so getting Jazz recorded, was not something that could be achieved easily. One of the cunning ways to do so was using a disguise, often hiding Jazz behind Folk music – a “trick” used countless times by Jazz musicians living behind the Iron Curtain. Some of such Jazz-Folk Fusions produced often absolutely brilliant music, as this album beautifully demonstrates. It was Viklicky’s 5th album for the state owned (at the time) SupraphonFind albums on this label label. The ingenious arrangements Viklicky applies to the beautiful Folk melodies turn them into heartwrenching, melancholic masterpieces, and the spotless trio performances are classic examples of his virtuosity, fully developed already by that time. Uhlir’s brilliant bass lines offer perfect balance to the magic mixture, and Zelenak’s graceful swing carries the music forward with elegance. This is an enchanted piece of classic Jazz piano trio performance. Just a few days ago I had the immense pleasure of meeting Viklicky and Uhlir together in a Prague Jazz club, where they signed a copy of this album for me. They both released many albums, most of which I proudly own, and our friendship goes many years back. Both seem to be in great form, so I wish them many more years of health and playing as wonderfully as always. Overall, this is a marvelous piece of Czech Jazz, which combines modern Jazz and Czech Folklore in a most satisfactory way imaginable. Great to see this album finally reissued, so grab it if you can.

Updated: 18/08/2025Posted: 18/08/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend