I received this album right around the time we moved out of our house last summer for renovations. I really don't know what happened to it, but it resurfaced recently and I eagerly tore into it. That's my usual M.O. when it comes to Michael Vlatkovich, and it has served me well over the years.

Michael Vlatkovich and 5 Winds 5 of Us (pfMENTUM)

Vlatkovich plays a sweet jazz trombone (my favorite jazz instrument), and he has consistently been able to bridge the gap between traditional jazz, free jazz and full-on experimental improvisational jazz. His compositions often sound improvisational when they're actually meticulously composed. He writes some of the noodliest, loveliest stuff around. And he leaves plenty of room for his mates to roam.

The key in jazz (any jazz) is setting the table for exploration. Vlatkovich is pretty great at that, and he always seems to be in amazing company. This set is about half of his usual blissful goofiness wrapped around something called the "5 Winds Suite." I can't detect much difference; the suite's different parts bleed together, but each is a song unto itself. Not that I'm particularly worried about that sort of thing.

So I'm about nine months late on this sucker. I'm bummed I went that long without hearing it, but I'm always happy to hear something new from Vlatkovich. Another inspiring effort from an artist I've loved for a long time. I'm glad to hear he's still got the fire.

Jon Worley