Vitous Swings Inside and Outside
Ensemble playing up front, with moments of freedom that never tip into chaos.
When Universal Syncopations II arrived on ECM in June 2007, it did not announce itself loudly. It was a quiet release from a bassist who had spent decades playing behind other leaders and had recorded relatively few albums under his own name, so the record met a small, attentive audience rather than a wide one. AllMusic reviewer Alex Henderson called it a solid effort and noted that the fans most likely to welcome it were those who had long complained that Vitous did not lead sessions often enough. That is an honest description of its standing: a record for listeners already following Vitous, rather than a breakout.
What makes it worth hearing is the balance the album strikes. Henderson's observation holds up: the playing emphasizes ensemble work and teamwork, but several passages loosen into free territory, an inside and outside approach that stays on the near side of outright chaos. Bob Mintzer's bass clarinet and tenor saxophone, Gary Campbell's soprano, and Randy Brecker's trumpet give the front line a varied palette, and the rhythm section of Adam Nussbaum and Gerald Cleaver keeps the music moving even when it drifts.
As for where it sits in Vitous's career, this is not the place to start. It is a modest, well-made session that suits someone who already knows his bass work and wants to hear him steering a band. Listeners new to his music will do better with his earlier leader records before arriving here, and this one will reward them once they have that context.
Who's playing
Bob Mintzerbass clarinet, tenor saxophone
Miroslav Vitoušdouble bass
Gary Campbellsoprano saxophone
Randy Breckertrumpet
Adam Nussbaumdrums
Gerald Cleaverdrums
Daniele Di Bonaventurabandoneón
Where next?
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
