Mississippi-born trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith is a true artist. Haven’t explored his output fully yet, but this title is lovely. Plenty of sparseness present here and you anticipate Smith’s every note with excitement. They are quite few and far between but are chosen with imagination, expression and a deep reflective nature. It’s a beautiful journey to listen to the two tunes that comprise the album. For me, it’s an album to put on when I feel the need to get something different out of music. Something more reflective and contemplative.
Leo Smith plays trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, indian and bamboo flutes and percussion. Then we have Anthony Davis on piano and Wes Brown on double bass and Ghanaian flute.
The album was recorded live at The Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, Connecticut in November of 1974. It was released on Smith’s own Kabell label.