Miroslav Vitous: Mountain Call

"Mountain Call", a highlight in Miroslav Vitous' musical oeuvre, presents the master bassist in various ensemble constellations - his musical collaborators on the album include clarinettist Michel Portal and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The co-founder of Weather Report first came to ECM at the end of the 1970s, in a trio with Terje Rypdal and Jack DeJohnette. Even then, Miroslav and Jack formed a powerful rhythm section, which later came together again on "Universal Syncopations" (2003) with Jan Garbarek and Chick Corea. This combination also plays a central role on "Mountain Call". Bassist and drummer interact dynamically on "Tribal Dance" and "Epilogue", whereby their playing is orchestrally framed in the latter piece - Jack solos on Vitous' three-part work "Evolution" with a great sense of discovery. In the suite "Rhapsody", the voice of Esperanza Spalding comes to the fore, singing Vitous' lyrics. however, "Mountain Call" begins and ends with a series of outstanding duets with Michel Portal, possibly Miroslav's strongest improvisational moments since his acclaimed collaboration with Jan Garbarek on Atmos. The closing title track, featuring Miroslav's dramatic arco playing and Portal's haunting bass clarinet, confirms their remarkable creative union.