Central Park‘s Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens

Album review

Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and pianist Amina Claudine Myers have a few things in common. Both of these distinctive composer-improvisors are from the South—Smith was born in Leland, Mississippi, in 1941, and Myers was born in Blackwell, Arkansas, in 1942—and both made their way to Chicago in the 1960s where they were key members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.  But, surprisingly, 2024's Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens is their first recorded collaboration. 

On the impressive opener, "Conservatory Gardens," Smith's lyricism is often tinged with melancholy. It's also expansive; at a couple of points, he introduces a buzzy timbre that evokes vocal fry.  Myers renders lovely piano lines, which can include seamless register jumps, with a just-so touch. 

The brief but intriguing "Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy Reservoir" finds Smith outlining a melody over the warm drones of Myers's B3 organ. Smith's mix of rough and buttery tones nicely contrasts with the enveloping keyboard colors.

Myers performs her composition, "When Was," unaccompanied on acoustic piano. There are echoes of classical music here, with rippling impressionism marked by moments of dramatic insistence. And it's quietly gripping when Myers lets notes hang in the air, highlighting the beauty of sonic decay. Later in the piece, Myers introduces dissonant, galloping runs before coming to a sudden conclusion. 

Muted trumpet and piano lay out a finely contoured melody on "Imagine, a mosaic for John Lennon." Myers takes a solo turn at the musical material, expanding it in bracing ways. The trumpet returns, and the interplay between brass and keyboard continues to unfold. Spare and gorgeous, the track is a perfect closer for this contemplative album.  © Fred Cisterna/Qobuz