| Spirit Catcher | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Wadada Leo Smith | ||||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Recorded | May 21, 1979 | |||
| Studio | 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 a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, recorded in 1979 and released on Nessa Records.
Background
Smith 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. The 2009 CD reissue adds an alternate version of this piece.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | |
In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states: "This is thought-provoking music that grows in interest with each listen." 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."
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
- "Wadada Leo Smith discography". Jazz Lists. jazzlists.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Original liner notes by Robert Palmer
- Spirit Catcher at Nessa Records
- ^ Yanow, Scott. Wadada Leo Smith - Spirit Catcher: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
- Larkin, Colin. "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". p. 4997. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- Swenson, J., ed. (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