Spirit Catcher (album)

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

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. The 2009 CD reissue adds an alternate version of this piece.

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

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
 * 1) "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