The Art is Possibility

The skill of commanding attention and sustaining interest with only a double bass lies in the ability to treat this instrument as a self contained unit and as a platform for unheard things. Vasilic strays melodically and rhythmically when improvising, but never too much, and he never wanders into fully abstract territories. Pulsing and bubbling with a focused drive, these 11 pieces are relatively brief and focused essays. And the tone of these tunes is excellent. The Art of the Balkan Bass is recorded beautifully as the instrument's natural resonance is captured to its tiniest details. As a result to all of that, this record casually captivates from start to end, making a full display of Vasilic's talents as a performer and improviser.