Spirit Catcher (album)

Spirit Catcher
Studio album by Wadada Leo Smith
Released	1979
Recorded	May 21, 1979 Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Genre	Jazz
Length	38:34 (LP) 49:47 (CD)
Label	Nessa
Producer	Chuck Nessa
Wadada Leo Smith chronology
Budding of a Rose (1978) Spirit Catcher (1979) Touch the Earth (1980)

Spirit Catcher is an album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith which was recorded in 1979 and released on Nessa Records. He 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.^[1][2] The 2009 CD reissue adds an alternate version of this piece.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]

In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states "This is thought-provoking music that grows in interest with each listen."^[3] 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."^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Wadada Leo Smith

1. "Images" - 19:09
2. "The Burning of Stones" - 9:42
3. "Spirit Catcher" - 9:43

Bonus track on CD

4. "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