2 February 2014

Wadada Leo Smith - What is Democracy?



What is Democracy? is the second part of Wadada Leo Smith's three-part Ten Freedom Summers, performed by his Golden Quartet and the Ligeti String Quartet over three nights at Café Oto in November 2013, as part of the London jazz festival.

Yes, the message is there, but this is dense, powerful music that delivers its message through elegant complexity. There is a propulsive force that reminds me of Mingus and Cecil Taylor, and Wadada seems to want to make reference to several voices of Miles Davis - I can hear mid-50s Miles to begin with, and Live-Evil later, and it is this changing voice that seems to successfully create the space for the string quartet in the later pieces. Wonderful stuff - let's hope that Radio 3 broadcast more, or that Café Oto release a recording of all three nights - the entire suite is however available as a studio recording (highly recommended).

Many thanks to Tom Philips who recorded this from Radio 3 in excellent quality, and also to Stefano for the artwork included.

Ten Freedom Summers - Second Collection: What is Democracy?

Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Anthony Davis (piano)
John Lindberg (bass)
Anthony Brown (drums)

The Ligetti Quartet
Mandhira de Saram (violin)
Patrick Dawkins (violin)
Richard Jones (viola)
Ben Davis (cello)

00 - Interview + Intro (2.17)
01 - Freedom Summers (6.08)
02 - Medgar Evers (23.55)
03 - Sunday Morning (16.23)
04 - Emmet Till (23.43)

Café Oto, London, 22nd November, 2013

13 comments:

Tantris said...

In two separate Zippyshare folders;

Zippy 1

Zippy 2

wightdj said...

Thanks for more Wadada.

Lee said...

I never did comment, but this is a fantastic amendment to the studio recording. Did anybody happen to capture the second broadcast from Radio 3?

Ernst Grgo Nebhuth said...

Don't know why I missed this - maybe there's a chance for a re-up?

Tantris said...

Hi onxidlib - I'll re-up in the next few days

Tantris said...

Well, I found the files more quickly than anticipated, so here are new links;

Wadada_1

Wadada_2

Enjoy!

Ernst Grgo Nebhuth said...

Oh yes. Thanks very much, Tantris - looking forward to hear it - Wadada Leo Smith's music has recently met my ears quiet often - and I'm happy to have some more from him.
Nowadays he sounds still so great.
Finally he's got some more recognition.

vilstef said...

Many thanks, Tantris! I appreciate the re-up, and I'm glad I didn't miss this party!

Ilario Rozen said...

hi Tantris
please plese a new opportunity
tanks in advance Ilario

Tantris said...

I'm away for the next couple of weeks so will upload again when I'm back, unless someone else can do this before then.

Ilario Rozen said...

Dear Tantris
nobody has uploaded Café Oto , London , 22nd November , 2013 .
Please still a possibility .
Thanks in advance Ilario

Tantris said...

Sure, here are new links;

WLS1

WLS2

WLS3

WLS4

Let us know what you think of the music, llario.

Ilario Rozen said...

Tantris, many many thanks

I am looking for this:
wadada leo smith great lakes suites lisboa 2015

Thanks for your great contribution
Ilario