Search - Wadada Leo Smith :: Tabligh (Jewl)

Impressions on loan

Case Quarter | CT USA | 02/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"wadada leo smith lends the impression that he really wanted to be a drummer by the way he showcases the superb skills of shannon jackson and by writing a selection entitled `dejohnette' named after the drummer, occasional pianist and leader who has played with everyone in jazz from miles davis to lester bowie, two trumpeters who, along with jack dejohnette, are the musical godfathers for this recording, the miles davis of the bitches brew/new directions period. smith's punctuation, echoing and compositional spacing, particularly on tabligh, are reminiscent of miles davis from the filmore and bitches brew sessions. with cool control smith orchestrates his playing and his leadership almost to a fault. on fender rhodes and synthesizer vijay iyer has some of the arrangements sounding like works by zawinul and early weather report, and hearing him on acoustical piano i wanted him to keep playing, he's undeniably one of the best pianists around. smith's dirge like solo opening of rosa parks sounds like an homage to lester bowie. john lindberg on bass completes the quartet.



less someone gets the wrong impression, paying homage and having influences are worthy attributes. musical ideas touched by the greats from the past remain inspirational and worth exploring for newer directions. a recording like this one with such a tradition is worth the purchase."