"Celestial Weather" is a captivating journey into the avant-garde jazz realm, masterfully crafted by the legendary Wadada Leo Smith. Released on December 8, 2017, via TUM Records, this album is a testament to Smith's innovative spirit and his enduring collaboration with bassist John Lindberg. Spanning a total of 62 minutes, the record is a duo outing that showcases the intricate interplay between Smith's trumpet and Lindberg's bass, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply resonant.
The album opens with two parts of "A Monarch of Creative Music," setting the stage for the celestial journey that follows. The centerpiece of the album is the "Celestial Weather Suite," a five-part exploration of natural phenomena that demonstrates the duo's ability to convey complex ideas through music. Each movement—"Cyclone," "Hurricane," "Icy Fog," "Typhoon," and "Tornado"—paints a vivid sonic landscape, drawing the listener in with its dynamic range and textural depth.
The album concludes with "Feathers and Earth," a two-part composition that brings the celestial journey back down to earth, grounding the abstract explorations in a more tangible, earthly context. Throughout "Celestial Weather," Wadada Leo Smith and John Lindberg push the boundaries of free jazz and avant-garde music, creating a record that is as thought-provoking as it is enjoyable. This album is a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring legacy of Wadada Leo Smith as a pioneer in the world of jazz.
Vinylscout