Universal Syncopations is a fitting name for this supergroup of bassist Miroslav Vitous, saxophonist Jan Garbarek, pianist Chick Corea, guitarist John McLaughlin, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. As much an ode to the late 60s (nodding to McLaughlin’s Infinite Search, on which Vitous and DeJohnette played) as to the early 2000s when this was recorded, it sparkles with freshness today. Vitous is a musician’s musician, and it shows in how his melodies drop buckets of inspiration into the well of every moment. This is jazz with its heart in the right place. Be sure not to miss the sequel, either.

– Tyran Grillo