Record Reviews

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ EMIL VIKLICKY 60 MULTISONIC 310756 (Barcode: 741941075626) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This album presents a live recording celebrating the 60th birthday of the great Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist and paying tribute to his enormous contribution to the local and international Jazz scene. It features the Viklicky trio with the superb bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and drummer Laco TroppFind albums by this artist (he plays on just one track), both veterans of the Czech scene and Viklicky´s cohorts since many years, and a host of guests invited especially for the occasion. These guests are Jazz musicians who played with Viklicky in the past and share his passion for music: Belgian flautist / saxophonist Steve HoubenFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist Julian NicholasFind albums by this artist, US drummer Dick WellerFind albums by this artist and German harmonica player Hendrik MeurkensFind albums by this artist. Together they play nine pieces, three of which are standards and the rest are originals composed by Viklicky and his guests. The obvious rapport and mutual respect, as well as the festive occasion all contribute to the relaxed atmosphere present herein, which works in favor of the music. There are of course many exceptional solos by the host and his guests. The music is mainstream Jazz, kept well within the tradition, which emphasizes melody and harmony, fabulously and elegantly executed by all the participants. A must for all piano lovers! Side Note This album is a part of the “Jazz Na Hrade (Jazz At Prague Castle)” series, released by the Czech MultisonicFind albums on this label label, which presents live recordings performed at various locations inside the charming Prague Castle, now the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The series was initiated in 2004 by President Vaclav KlausFind albums by this artist, who often introduces the players himself on these albums, and symbolizes the respect and love of all things Cultural by the Czech People, including Jazz of course.

Updated: 16/03/2022Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

EMIL VIKLICKY / JULIAN NICHOLAS ~ SPRING AWAKENING CAMPUS INTER|NATIONAL 03 ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is a live album by a duo of Jazz musicians comprising of Czech pianist / composer Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist / composer Julian NicholasFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Viklicky, one is an original composition by Nicholas and four are standards. The music was recorded in Leipzig, Germany, and offers a truly exceptional sound quality. Viklicky and Nichols collaborated on two albums recorded earlier on, but this is their first duo recording, and it is undoubtedly the best music they made together, in the true spirit of the “Art of the Duo”. Although the music is mostly mainstream oriented, the duo´s approach is often highly unusual, expending the music into other genres, including Classical and Folkloristic accents, all of which are delightful. The interplay between them is truly telepathic, which adds enormously to the outcome. In cases like this, one always wonders how two instruments (or rather the musicians behind these instruments) are able to create an entire universe of harmony and sonoric perfection, which equals in its potency to a much larger cast. This album is a wonderful example of such phenomenon, and repeated listening sessions reveal the depth and the layers of intimacy and mutual completeness between the two partners. Overall, this is a brilliant example of “less is more” in Jazz, in music in general and perhaps in life as well. This music touches hearts and inspires, which is about the highest goal music, or Art in general, can achieve. I wholeheartedly recommend to every true Jazz lover to try and get a copy of this gem!

Updated: 31/08/2025Posted: 29/08/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend