One of those records you can still occasionally find in Swiss thrift shops, but that’s almost impossible to come across outside the country. Emphasis was a short-lived Swiss fusion project that released just one self-titled album in 1975.

On board was Swiss guitar legend Pierre Cavalli, whose playing defines the album. Musically, Emphasis moves between technically brilliant jazz, funk, prog rock, and slightly psychedelic soundtrack moments. 

The record features several cover versions, including Milton Nascimento’s Vera Cruz, Gene McDaniels’ Feel Like Makin’ Love, and a wonderfully airy rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Too High.

The cover art was created by Czech-Swiss artist Ludek Pešek, who emigrated to Switzerland after the Prague Spring and became known for his cosmic, detail-rich paintings. His minimalist, almost spherical artwork fits the sound of the album perfectly – timeless, weightless, and elegant.

Swiss fusion at its best – musically and visually, a piece of Swiss jazz-rock history that far too few people know.