Journey's End

This quartet was the primary context for the Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous's creativity in the late 70s and early 80s. "Like Mingus, Vitous is a real leader from the bass, and the music is all the stronger for it" - Gramophone.

With three excellent writers in the line-up (John Surman and John Taylor as well as the leader) the quartet had an abundance of material to draw upon. Journey's End includes "U Dunaje U Prepurka" which Miroslav had played with the Junior Trio with Jan Hammer, as well as Surman's Thomas Hardy-inspired ballad "Tess", and Taylor's "Windfall". Collective improving capacities are to the fore on "Carry On, No. 1" which builds on the template of Jon Christensen's drum patterns. Recorded 1982.

Personnel: John Surman (soprano and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet); John Taylor (piano); Miroslav Vitous (double bass); Jon Christensen (drums)

1. U Dunaje U Prespurka
2. Tess
3. Carry On, No.1
4. Paragraph Jay
5. Only One
6. Windfall