CD Review: Andrew Cyrille – Lebroba

Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet); Bill Frisell (guitar); Andrew Cyrille (drums).

(Review by Steve H).

This ECM release is a bit of a supergroup of ‘old masters’ and the skill, technique and interplay between the trio certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Worried Woman, delicious gentle opener by Bill Frisell, with trumpet dominating but also with great subtle embellishments from drums and guitar.

The longest piece on the album also has the longest title - Turiya: Alice Coltrane Meditations and Dreams: Love. Wadada Leo Smith’s tribute to the great musician has a lovely free feel to it, each instrumentalist taking the lead in sections, an interesting, spiritual and rewarding piece.  

Lebrobra, the title track written by band leader Andrew Cyrille, has a very Good Bye Pork Pie Hat theme running throughout and is positively charming. 

TGD, a band composition and the most raucous track on the album (which doesn’t necessarily make it headbangingly wild) with Frisell incorporating fascinating electronic effects into his solos. 

Pretty Beauty is another Cyrille composition with Smith’s muted trumpet setting the tone for this thoughtful melodic piece and bringing the album to a gentle and peaceful close.  I really enjoyed this CD, in fact, looking back at my description of each track various adjectives stand out gentle, fascinating, charming, peaceful and spiritual to name but five. A lovely listen.

Steve H.

Album is now available on ECM 2589