It’s been a long time in the making… Almost two years, to be precise. So, in case you were already wondering what the author of this blog has been doing during the past twelve months, here it is:
On October 5, 2009, Vampisoul Records is releasing the first two compilations conceived, researched, selected, compiled, documented, designed and laid out by yours truly…
Ne! The soul of Marta Kubišová
Tracks: Tak dej se k nám a projdem svět, Svlíkám lásku, Já tu s tváří neměnnou, Bílý stůl, Tvůj krém tvůj nůž tvůj růženec (You Came You Saw You Conquered), Kdo ti radu dá, Tajga blues ’69, Hare Krišna (Hare Krishna), Chci právo trubky mít, Legendy, Já cestu k tobě najdu si, Tys bejval mámin hodnej syn, Ne, Jakoby nic, Nepiš dál, Ten zlej páv, Modrej vřes, Zlý dlouhý půst, Ten druhý v nás, Balada o kornetovi a dívce, Na co tě mám, Vrba, Pojďte pejskové, Nejsi sám kdo doufá (Face It Girl It’s Over), Červencové ráno.
Featuring Marta Kubišová with the Golden Kids Orchestra, Mefisto, Waldemar Matuška and others. Twenty of these songs are being reissued on vinyl for the first time.
From our promo material: “Marta Kubišová was the most popular Czechoslovak female singer of the late 1960s, heading for an international career but banned by the communist regime until 1989. Compiled from the Supraphon archives, this 1966–1970 selection focuses on her roughest songs, with plenty of fuzz guitars and funky beats, punchy horns and razor-sharp organs underlying her deep and soulful voice.”
The funky way of Emil Viklický
Tracks: Trochu funky (The Funky Way), Týden (Week), Ještě jednou slunce (Once Again Sun), Květen (Maytime), Kam s tím blues (Chega de Saudade), 70. východní (East 70th Street), Boston, Zelený satén (Green Satin), Hromovka (Thunderhouse), Země plná lásky (A Land Full Of Love), Zase zapomněli zavřít okno (They’ve Left The Window Open Again), Siesta, Jumbo Jet, Ráno (Part 1 Kash Edit) (Morning).
Featuring Viklický/Frisell/Driscoll/Johnson, Karel Velebný’s SHQ, Eva Svobodová, Energit, Emil Viklický Studio Big Band. All tracks are being reissued on vinyl for the first time, SHQ and Eva Svobodová also for the first time on CD. Four tracks by Emil’s big band are even previously unreleased!
From our promo material: “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.”
All tracks have been carefully digitally remastered from 24-bit transfers of the original analog master tapes by fellow blogger and “anti-loudness-warrior” Ian Shepherd.
The records should be available in good record stores near you. In case you should have difficulties to obtain them, be it on vinyl or CD, please let me know.
By complete and abject coincidence, only days ago I compiled a playlist for an upcoming episode of my "Space Patrol" program with Marta Kubisova's "Ne!" Eastern European '70s stingingly hot FUNK has of late turned my head like nothing else on earth, and I have been tracking down stuff as I hear about it, from bands like Locomotiv GT and Skorpio. Emil Viklický is a new name to me. As regards Vampi Soul, I have just now gotten a hold of "Sensacional Soul Vol. 2" and it's a mindblower. I didn't know you were working with this great label, but, jesus… wow!
Super. Když tak na to dívám, zatoužil jsem po těch vinylech… Koupím. Rád bych eje – trochu netradičně – s autogramem Lukáše Machaty.
Ondřej
Congrats!
Hope to get my hands on a copy soon, as I'm going to be guest DJ-ing a radio show featuring Eastern Blok Rok of the 60's. I have very few Czech music connections, so your site has been a wonderful resource.
Glad you're back, we've missed you!
Litlgrey: Forgive the off-topicness of this recommendation, but if you're inclined to branch out north of the Czech Border, you'll find some really happening Polish funk & blues from the 70's: Czeslaw Niemen, Halina Frackowiak, ABC, and Breakout are some of the more well known players. I'm quite partial to Niemen.
"The Funky Way" is a great collection and very well presented. I hope that more of the 70s and 80s Czech jazz can also be released like this. It is great music and deserves to be heard by the world.
That's good news!
Hello, by the way :-)
Cheers,
K.
Pingback:Half Czech-in, part 1 – Funky Czech-In
Pingback:Interlude: Emil Viklický Trio – Funky Czech-In