Emil Viklicky - The Funky Way Of Emil Viklicky

Customer reviews
Press release

Emil Viklický is one of the most renowned Czech jazz musicians and composers. This focused-on-funk selection was recorded between 1975 and 1987
in Czechoslovak studios. Be it with the legendary SHQ or with Energit, accompanying Eva Svobodová, conducting a tight studio big band or collaborating with fellow Berklee College students Frisell/Driscoll/Johnson, Emil knows how to funk up his keys all the way through. Funk and Jazz colliding on the Eastern Bloc a few years after the Prague Spring and the Russian tank invasion of 1968. A perfect introduction to Czechian jazz with groove, with one of the masters: Emil Viklický.
Remastered from the Supraphon archives, Illustrated with original sleeves + Extensive notes covering Emil Viklický's career by compiler Lukáš
Machata Many tracks reissued on vinyl for the first time! (700 copies only.)

5...according to Tim Stenhouse.

UK VIBE (UK), November 2009

Emil Viklicky 'The Funky Way of' 2LP/CD (Vampi Soul) 4/5

Here is an interesting keyboardist deserving of wider recognition. Born in 1948 in the then Czechoslavakia, Emil Viklicky made his album debut in 1975 in the middle of the jazz-fusion/rock period internationally and the album sold over 30,00 copies within the country. During 1977/1978 Viklicky was awarded a one year scholarship to study at the prestigious Boston Berklee College of Music and here he came into contact with a number of fellow students who would go on to become established jazz musicians, most notably guitarist Bill Frisell. This excellent value (just a shade under eighty minutes) compilation selects from Emil's 1970s and 1980s LPs as well as 45s. An additional bonus is the inclusion of a couple of duets with Czech jazz singer Eva Svobodova. One of this is the enchanting 'A land full of love' (sung in Czech) which vocal fusion fans will love while the classic bossa 'Chega de Sudade' is re-titled 'Kam s Tim Blues'. Viklicky's influences from a pianistic viewpoint include Herbie Hancock and Joe Zawinul with the former's Headhunter's period being evoked on 'They've left the window open again' with subtle use of electronic keyboards while the excellent title track 'The funky way' hints at the latter from his Weather Report days with former Berklee alumni Frisell on electric guitar, Kermit Driscoll on bass and Vinnie Johnson on drums. From a more general perspective fellow Czech and ace bass player Miroslav Vitous has clearly influenced Emil's outlook. Born just a year before Viklicky, Vitous left Czechoslovakia for good during the 1960s and preceded Viklicky studying at Berklee by a decade. As in other former eastern bloc countries, jazz has played a vital psychological role in promoting political and social freedom. However, Viklicky is no mere impersonator and is both a gifted arranger and composer as illustrated on the big-band piece 'Boston' with Latin undercurrent that could be either an impressive MPS recording, or even a Thad Jones/Mel Lewis outing. Excellent inner sleeve notes from Lukas Machata (aka DJ Lou Kash) follows the progress Viklicky made in his career and features original album sleeve photos, one of which could be right out of the ECM album cover design. To this day Prague continues to be a city where home grown jazz flourishes in myriad styles.

Tim Stenhouse

Rating: 5 out of 5

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