Over the past few weeks, our most active record reviewers have had the task of choosing their 5 favorite recordings of 2023, and here they are. This selection is unique and quite different of all you can find on the web or through traditional medias.
It is on his own label, Kabell Records, that trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith launches “Fire Illuminations” and the soloist places himself in the middle of a very high-end ensemble, similar to the one he had on the album ” Najwa” (2017); three guitarists (Nels Cline, Brandon Ross and Lamar Smith), two bassists (Bill Laswell and Melvin Gibbs), a percussionist (Mauro Refosco), a drummer (Pheeroan akLaff) and sound designer Hardedge. Only Refosco, who is a member of the New York group Forro in the Dark, is a newcomer alongside the trumpeter. All these beautiful people come together on two pieces, the longest (nearly 16 minutes each), and the best: Ntozake which opens the album, and Tony Williams, a tribute (it is not the first) which the trumpeter to the legendary drummer of Miles Davis (still, we are closer here to the era “On the Corner”, or “Live-Evil”, recorded with Jack DeJohnette, than to “Daughters of Kilimanjaro”, recorded with Williams ). These two pieces with the whole ensemble are groovy as can be, heavy (thank you Mr. Laswell) and form superb vehicles for the solos of the three guitarists and Smith.
To see the complete list, click here!
