Wadada Leo Smith - Hearts Reflections '2011

Tracks list

Wadada Leo Smiths large ensemble Organic made their first appearance on the
second disc of his 2009 double CD, Spiritual Dimensions; this, though, is the
groups first set of studio recordings. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Smith
co-led the band Yo Miles! with guitarist Henry Kaiser, reinterpreting (and later
writing original music inspired by) the 1970s work of Miles Davis guitar-heavy
electric funk bands. Organics music is superficially similar to that bands, but
with a much greater degree of abstraction (in addition to Smiths trumpet, two
saxophones, and up to four electric guitarists, the ensemble features one
upright and one electric bassist, a violinist, and two members performing on
laptops) and a generally more meditative feel thats likely rooted in the leaders
deep and constant spiritual questing. Tracks carry dedications to Don Cherry and
Smiths AACM peer, violinist Leroy Jenkins, as well as Toni Morrison and Shaykh
Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili, the founder of the Shadhili order of Sufi Muslims who
died in 1258. So while the opening Don Cherrys Electric Sonic Garden is a
20-minute funk jam, the two-part The Dhikr of Radiant Hearts feels more like
Davis He Loved Him Madly crossed with John Coltranes Love Consequences Serenity
from Meditations. The balance between groove and gentle exploration is retained
throughout both discs of this nearly two-hour set, and while listening to it as
a marathon session may be challenging, theres not a moment here that feels
ill-conceived or superfluous. This is a masterwork by one of the great heroes of
American avant-garde jazz.


Tracks:

CD1
1. Don Cherrys Electic Sonic Garden
2. The Dhikr Of Radiant Hearts, Part I
3. The Dhikr Of Radiant Hearts, Part II
4. The Majestic Way
5. The Shaykh, As Far As Humaythira
6. Spiritual Wayfarers
7. Certainty
8. Ritual Purity And Love, Part I
9. Ritual Purity And Love, Part II

CD2
1. Silsila
2. From Bitter To Fresh Sweet Water Pt.I
3. From Bitter To Fresh Sweet Water, Pt.II
4. The Black Hole (Sagittarius A)/Conscience And Epic Memory (For Toni Morrison)
5. Leroy Jenkinss Air Steps (For Leroy Jenkins)

Personnel:

Brandon Ross, Michael Gregory, Lamar Smith, Josh Gerowitz guitars;
Skuli Sverrisson, John Lindberg bass;
Angelica Sanchez acoustic and electric piano;
Stephanie Smith violin;
Casey Anderson alto saxophone;
Casey Butler tenor saxophone;
Mark Trayle, Charlie Burgin laptops;
Pheeroan AkLaff drums;
Wadada Leo Smith acoustic and electric trumpet.

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