Spiritual Dimensions

Smith, Wadada Leo

Cuneiform Records, 2010, CD
Instrument: Trumpet

Issue: 16.1

Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion

Performance: 3

Sound: 4

Score:

O’s Notes: Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith is an established performer of free jazz. Spiritual Dimensions is a two-disc set featuring two of his bands. The first is with the Golden Quartet, including Vijay Iyer (keyboards) and Don Moye (d). It has a strong focus on percussion with Smith blasting through on trumpet. The second disc features Wadada Leo Smith’s Organic including Nels Cline (g) and John Linberg (b). This group has an abundance of strings (4 guitarists, 2 bassists and a cello) that define the tone, harmony and attack. It is spacey with a large dose of funk. Each disc has a different personality with the common factor being Smith. He has a strong definitive voice that captures the center of the spotlight as he speaks. The live recording is energetic, spiritual and spontaneous.

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