Wadada Leo Smith & TUM, Occupy the World (TUM)

After decades of great records, forward-thinking compositions, and his own style of playing, trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith is finally getting some acclaim. His 4-CD set of work inspired by the Civil Rights movement, Ten Freedom Summers, was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. This record, his follow-up, consists of Smith playing and conducting his work with the 21-piece Finnish orchestra TUMO. This double-CD contains extended works that range from 15 to 33 minutes long. They have an epic feel to them. They take their time to ebb and flow dynamically and thematically, but as they do, they have a texture that combines subtle electronics with orchestral instruments. Much of the music here sounds very specific, as if it is a soundtrack, not a generic blues or jazz composition that simply functions for someone to show off. The music sounds like it has a meaning and a purpose. Smith combines drones, collective improvisation, and solos throughout this work mostly to excellent effect aside from some places where the musicians sound like they are more separating than jelling. Smith’s use of different combinations of instruments also gives an interesting variety to the sounds. There are moments of beauty and profundity especially on the trumpet solo which leads into the string timbres on “The Bell #2.” Smith also includes programs notes for anyone who wants to follow along in detail, but this music is great to hear and understand even without that.