Universal Syncopations II is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitouš recorded in 2004-05 and released on the ECM label.[1]

Universal Syncopations II
Studio album by Miroslav Vitouš
Released	2007
Recorded	November 2004-April 2005 Universal Syncopation Studios, Italy
Genre	Jazz
Length	50:32
Label	ECM ECM 2013
Producer	Miroslav Vitouš
Miroslav Vitouš chronology
Universal Syncopations (2003) Universal Syncopations II (2007) Remembering Weather Report (2009)

Reception

The Allmusic review by Alex Henderson awarded the album 31⁄2 stars, stating, "The interesting thing is that while Universal Syncopations 2 stresses ensemble playing and team work, parts of the album are quite free; this disc offers an inside/outside perspective, sometimes moving into mildly avant-garde territory but never favoring outright chaos. A quintessentially ECM aesthetic is very much at work on this solid effort, which will be enthusiastically welcomed by those who complain that Vitouš hasn't recorded often enough as a leader".[2]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Miroslav Vitouš

1. "Opera" - 11:16
2. "Breakthrough" - 5:32
3. "The Prayer" - 7:06
4. "Solar Giant" - 4:42
5. "Mediterranean Love" - 5:09
6. "Gmoong" - 6:13
7. "Universal Evolution" - 9:04
8. "Moment" - 2:58

Personnel

• Miroslav Vitouš — double bass, meditation bowl
• Randy Brecker — trumpet (tracks 1 & 6)
• Gary Campbell — soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone (tracks 1-5 & 7)
• Bob Mintzer — tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1, 6 & 7)
• Bob Malach — tenor saxophone (track 8)
• Daniele di Bonaventura — bandoneon (track 5)
• Gerald Cleaver (tracks 2-5 & 7), Adam Nussbaum (track 1) — drums
• Vesna Vasko-Caceres — voice (track 8)
• Unnamed choir and orchestra

References