Abbey Road Quartet is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith released in 2009 via Treader label.[1][2][3]

Reception

A reviewer of Soundohm stated "These quartet recordings feature the improvisational skills of trumpeter Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, guitarist John Coxon, keyboard player Pat Thomas and drummer Mark Sanders - an ensemble that convened at Abbey Road Studios last year to commit these five pieces to tape. Wadada takes the lead, perhaps most staunchly reminding you that this is, at heart, a jazz album thanks to his florid, lyrical phrasing. The relationships formed between the instruments are an immediate source of intrigue, forming plenty of complex exchanges, throughout which Coxon - who also assumes a producer's role - puts in some sterling textural work, on 'For Mongezi Feza' laying down precise feedback formations that at times are reminiscent of Thurston Moore's most incisive and restrained outings."[4] Marc Medwin of All About Jazz added, "Transparency is ever-present, especially on the sultry but pointillistic "For Mongezi Feza," where Smith runs scales and injects shards into what sounds like Thomas playing a celeste. Even when the music heats up, there's a welcome calm to it all where so many improvised sessions turn fiery."[5]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."For Johnny Dyani" 
2."For Ashley Wales" 
3."For Mongezi Feza" 
4."For Grant Green" 
5."For Elton Dean" 

Personnel

  • Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith – trumpet
  • Mark Sanders – drums
  • John Coxon – electric guitar
  • Pat Thomas – piano, synthesizer

References

  1. ^ "Wadada Leo Smith discography". Jazz Lists. jazzlists.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Dusted Reviews". Dusted Magazine. dustedmagazine.com. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith – Abbey Road Quartet". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Wadada Leo Smith Abbey Road Quartet". Soundohm. soundohm.com. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  5. ^ Medwin, Marc (12 June 2012). "Wadada Leo Smith: Abbey Road Quartet; Spiritual Dimensions & Spirit Catcher article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
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