Record Reviews

MIROSLAV VITOUS ~ REMEMBERING WEATHER REPORT ECM 2073 (Barcode: 602517881372) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2009 Czech bassist / composer Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist was a founding member of the seminal group Weather ReportFind albums by this artist and played on their first 3 studio albums and the live album recorded in Japan. The idea of Weather Report was to search for a new direction in the rapidly changing Jazz scene at the time, which was initiated by the revolutionary artistry of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. However, as we know in retrospect, Weather Report took a different turn than what Vitous had in mind when he co-founded the group, turning gradually more and more into the leading Fusion and Funk group of the 1970s / 1980s, rather than exploring the realms of free improvisation and spontaneity. Thirty years later Vitous takes a somewhat nostalgic trip back to his Weather Report days, proposing a "what if…" scenario, i.e. presenting music, which might have been played by the band if he stayed on. Played by his quartet with veteran Swiss trumpeter Franco AmbrosettiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gary CampbellFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist, Vitous also adds the veteran French Master – Michel PortalFind albums by this artist, who plays bass clarinet. Together they perform some superb music, mostly written by Vitous except for one piece by Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, which is pretty open and free but retains enough rhythmic and melodic backbone to be enjoyable even to less ear-trained listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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MIROSLAV VITOUS ~ UNIVERSAL SYNCOPATIONS II ECM 2013 (Barcode: 602517183575) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2007 This album, subtitled "Music for ensemble, orchestra and choir", is the second project by Czech virtuoso bassist / composer Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist recorded at the Universal Syncopation Studios in Italy, hence the title. However, the music is quite different from what the previous album offers, being much more contemporary Classical inclined, as well as using certain World Music elements, all pre-composed and arranged. The cast consists of nine musicians playing in defferent settings, with saxophonists Bob MintzerFind albums by this artist, Gary CampbellFind albums by this artist and Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, bandoneón player Daniele Di BonaventuraFind albums by this artist, singer Vesna Vasko-CaceresFind albums by this artist, drummers Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist and Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and Vitous on bass. Serious music lovers will find this very interesting for sure, and I recommend some intense listening here, but all well rewarded. Warmly recommended!

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