Spirit Catcher (album)

Spirit Catcher is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, recorded in 1979 and released on Nessa Records.^[1]

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
Budding of a Rose (1978) Spirit Catcher (1979) Touch the Earth (1980)

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.^[2][3] The 2009 CD reissue adds an alternate version of this piece.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[5]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[6]

In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states: "This is thought-provoking music that grows in interest with each listen."^[4] 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."^[7]

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