Universal Syncopations

Universal Syncopations is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitouš recorded in 2003 and released on the ECM label.[1]

Universal Syncopations
Studio album by Miroslav Vitouš
Released	2003
Recorded	2002 Universal Syncopation Studios, Italy March 2003 Rainbow Studios, Oslo
Genre	Jazz
Length	53:32
Label	ECM ECM 1863
Producer	Manfred Eicher
Miroslav Vitouš chronology
Atmos (1992) Universal Syncopations (2003) Universal Syncopations II (2005)

Reception

Thom Jurek of Allmusic states "Universal Syncopations is by turns a return to not the old forms, but rather to the manner of illustrating harmonic concepts in a quintet setting that allows for a maximum space between ensemble players while turning notions of swing, counterpoint, and rhythmic invention on their heads... Universal Syncopations is one of the most gorgeous sounding and toughly played dates of the calendar year".[2]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Miroslav Vitouš except as indicated.

1. "Bamboo Forest" - 4:37
2. "Univoyage" - 10:54
3. "Tramp Blues" - 5:19
4. "Faith Run" - 4:58
5. "Sun Flower" - 7:21
6. "Miro Bop" - 4:03
7. "Beethoven" (Jan Garbarek, Vitouš) - 7:18
8. "Medium" (Jack DeJohnette, Vitouš) - 5:09
9. "Brazil Waves" (Garbarek, Vitouš) - 4:26

Personnel

• Miroslav Vitouš — double bass
• Jan Garbarek — soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Chick Corea — piano
• John McLaughlin — guitar
• Jack DeJohnette — drums
• Wayne Bergeron — trumpet (tracks 2-4)
• Valery Ponomarev — trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 2-4)
• Isaac Smith — trombone (tracks 2-4)

Chart performance

Year	Chart	Position
2003	Billboard Top Jazz Albums	21[3]

References

1. ECM discography accessed October 14, 2011
2. Jurek, T. Allmusic Review accessed October 14, 2011
3. "Universal Syncopations - Miroslav Vitous | Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 5 November 2013.