Vlatkovich, Mike / Mortality
Album: Mortality   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Vlatkovich, Mike   Added:Mar 2017
Label:PfMENTUM  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2017-03-15 Pull Date: 2017-05-17 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: May 14
Airplays: 1

Recent Airplay
1. May 12, 2017: Rebop
Or Do You Have Change For A $20

Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2017-03-09
AVANT-GARDE JAZZ

Trumbonist / composer Mike Vlatkovich had just a trio for his last album. Here he leads a big group called Ensemblio comprising brass, reeds, strings, electric guitar, keys, percussion, and a female singer. Each piece is very different, and each stands alone (unlike the continuous flow of the last album.

No FCC issues.

(Ignore the track list on back cover. I got correct sequence from several online reviews.)

1 “Adeptly disguised as chairs and tables the audience listened quietly.” Loose & jumbled, then more melodic. Gathers momentum. Odd vocals. Rock guitar solo. Fades out. (9:08)
2 * “As quickly as it came.” Slow cello starts. Other strings & trombone join. Add flute & voice. Pastoral. (6:31)
3 ** “Or do you have change for a $20?” Intro is quick bursts from bassoon, flute, voice. Settles into a very jazzy piece. (5:25)
4 “Out of the wall and into the night.” Fast, very energetic. Short intro & exit by brass. The rest is a drum solo. (5:27)
5 * “Sometimes a red nose and big shoes aren't enough.” Slow. Dissonant brass wander about aimlessly. (2:33)
6 “Mortality.” Slow. Semi-classical first half; jazzy second half. Bassoon starts; strings & piano answer; a cello solo; vox & noises; then trombone; tenor sax & bass finish. (11:35)
7 “Hiding out as a verb.” Slow. Voice, sounds, squawks. Quite avant-garde. (5:49)
8 * “Goodbye.” Slow, gentle. Solo trombone starts, joined by piano. A sad farewell. (7:06)

Track Listing
1. Adeptly Disguised As Chairs And Tables The Audience Listened Quietly   5. Sometimes A Red Nose And Big Shoes Aren't Enough
2. As Quickly As It Came   6. Mortality
3. Or Do You Have Change For A $20   7. Hiring Out As A Verb
4. Out Of The Wall And Into The Night   8. Goodbye