Spirit Catcher (album)
| Spirit Catcher | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Wadada Leo Smith | ||||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Recorded |
May 21, 1979 Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length |
38:34 (LP) 49:47 (CD) | |||
| Label | Nessa | |||
| Producer | Chuck Nessa | |||
| Wadada Leo Smith chronology | ||||
| ||||
Spirit Catcher is an album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith which was recorded in 1979 and released on Nessa Records. He leads the New Dalta Akhri, a quintet with Dwight Andrews, Bobby Naughton, Wes Brown and Pheeroan akLaff, in two original compositions: "Images" and "Spirit Catcher". In addition, Smith prepared a very unusual piece for muted trumpet and three harps: "The Burning of Stones", a composition dedicated to Anthony Braxton with elements of two traditions involving harp-like instruments, the West African kora and the Japanese koto.[1][2] The 2009 CD reissue adds an alternate version of this piece.
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [4] |
In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states "This is thought-provoking music that grows in interest with each listen."[3] The All About Jazz review by Clifford Allen says "Recorded crisply by Rudy Van Gelder (unlike the somewhat murky Kabell LPs), Spirit Catcher presents Smith's earlier music with clarity and warmth."[5]
Track listing
- All compositions by Wadada Leo Smith
- "Images" - 19:09
- "The Burning of Stones" - 9:42
- "Spirit Catcher" - 9:43
Bonus track on CD
- "The Burning of Stones" first version - 11:13
Personnel
- Wadada Leo Smith - trumpet, flugelhorn
- Dwight Andrews - clarinet, tenor sax, wooden flute
- Bobby Naughton - vibraharp
- Wes Brown - bass, wooden flute
- Pheeroan AkLaff - drums
- Irene Emanuel - harp
- Carol Emanuel - harp
- Ruth Emanuel - harp
References
- ↑ Original liner notes by Robert Palmer
- ↑ Spirit Catcher at Nessa Records
- 1 2 Yanow, Scott. Wadada Leo Smith - Spirit Catcher: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
- ↑ Swenson, J. (Editor) (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 183. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ↑ Allen, Clifford. Spirit Catcher review at All About Jazz