Precondition
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The multi-instrumentalist Vincent Virgillito pens 10 originals and puts his own spin on 2 covers, where overdubbing only occurs on 1 track and the creativity is spread evenly across the entire affair.
The playful bass plucking of “Through Windows” starts the listen with much care and unpredictable ideas, and “Reset” follows with a distorted and sonically charged climate of wonder.
In the middle, “Stars In My Mirror (My Sons)”, the only selection with overdubs, uses mesmerizing patterns and much ambience via a cinematic quality, while “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” , a Charles Mingus original, is full of complicated bass prowess that’s often bare and soothing.
“Danny Boy (remembering Bill Evans)” arrives near the end and is highly meticulous but still easily accessible via Virgillito’s finger acrobatics, and “…and then stop and go” exits with a distinct dreaminess that’s mesmerizing and atmospheric.
A really unique body of work, Virgillito handles electric bass, double bass, fretless 4 and 5 strings and analog pedals with his classical and jazz training present for the colorful, haunting and often rock focused formula.
Travels well with: Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Quartet- Secret Message; Doug MacDonald- Santa Monica Session