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Wadada Leo Smith & TUMO: Occupy The World
ByRecorded in the studio on the days following the initial performance, each cut unfolds through multiple sections, with the feel of a chamber gathering rather than a big band, although electric guitars are as prominent as the more traditional strings. As with his solo work, Smith's writing makes telling use of silencedespite otherwise densely marshaled ensembles being awash with spontaneous detail. The trumpeter and long time colleague John Lindberg, are the principal soloists, with the drama and precision of the bassist's slashing bow work on "Mount Kilimanjaro" being one of the set's highlights. Smith deals largely in declamatory gestures, his majestic understated lyricism infused with a blues tint, whatever the actual notes. Other members of the orchestra feature, albeit more fleetingly, in the freeform passages which percolate the program, notably pianist Seppo Kantonen's flinty accents and Mikko Innanen's keening vocalized alto saxophone on the opening "Queen Hatshepsut."
As with recent issues from the label, the double CD set is sumptuously packaged with copious photographs and liner notes, including biographies of the leading participants as well as informative background on each piece by Smith. Such explication reveals much about Smith's methods, such as his reuse and recycling of other scores"The Bell2" is based upon his first recorded composition, documented on saxophonist Anthony Braxton's Three Compositions of New Jazz (Delmark, 1968): by turns swirling, sprightly and reflective. On the 33-minute title track, Smith blends angular string figures, monolithic orchestral slabs, bombastic drums and unruly collectives to create a sprawling canvas against which he juxtaposes the quiet dignity of his breathy trumpet squeals. In terms of effect, it captures the ambience of the entire recitalmysterious, yet bursting with humanitydisclosing new dimensions on each listen.
Track Listing
Queen Hatshepsut; The Bell - 2; Mount Kilimanjaro (Love And Compassion For John Lindberg); Crossing On A Southern Road (A Memorial For Marion Brown); Occupy The World For Life, Liberty And Justice.
Personnel
Wadada Leo Smith
trumpetWadada Leo Smith: trumpet, conductor, soloist (1, 2, 4, 5); John Lindberg: bass, soloist (3); Verneri Pohjola: trumpet and electronics; Jari Hongisto: trombone; Kalle Hassinen: horn; Kenneth Ojutkangas: tuba; Juhani Aaltonen: flute, alto flute, bass flute and piccolo; Fredrik Ljungqvist: tenor and sopranino saxophones, clarinet and bass clarinet; Mikko Innanen: alto, soprano and baritone saxophones; Seppo Kantonen piano; Iro Haarla harp; Mikko Iivanainen: electric guitar; Kalle Kalima electric guitar; Veli Kujala: quarter-tone accordion; Terhi Pylkkänen: violin; Niels Thorkild Levinsen: violin; Barbora Hilpo: viola; Iida-Vilhelmiina Laine: cello; Ulf Krokfors: double bass; Janne Tuomi: drums and marimba; Mika Kallio: drums; Stefan Pasborg: drums.
Album information
Title: Occupy The World | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: TUM Records
Comments
About Wadada Leo Smith
Instrument: Trumpet
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