Yo Miles! / Upriver

Henry Kaiser & Wadada Leo Smith

I frankly wouldn’t look forward to much of anyone covering Miles’ jazz-rock standards but Kaiser and Smith aren’t just anybody, but two of a very tiny number who could’ve pulled this off. Not only do they not disappoint, they exceed my expectations. This is way more than a respectful homage because I’d like to think it’d be fiery enough to goose Miles if he could hear it. Hats off to them, then. They’ve gone where angels would’ve feared to tread and come back with a bountiful harvest.

Cuneiform/Rune 201/202

<cuneiformrecords.com>

Richard Grooms