Abbey Road Quartet is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith released in 2009 via Treader label.[1][2][3]
A reviewer of Soundohm stated "These quartet recordings feature the improvisational skills of trumpeter Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, guitarist John Coxon, keyboard player Pat Thomas and drummer Mark Sanders - an ensemble that convened at Abbey Road Studios last year to commit these five pieces to tape. Wadada takes the lead, perhaps most staunchly reminding you that this is, at heart, a jazz album thanks to his florid, lyrical phrasing. The relationships formed between the instruments are an immediate source of intrigue, forming plenty of complex exchanges, throughout which Coxon - who also assumes a producer's role - puts in some sterling textural work, on 'For Mongezi Feza' laying down precise feedback formations that at times are reminiscent of Thurston Moore's most incisive and restrained outings."[4] Marc Medwin of All About Jazz added, "Transparency is ever-present, especially on the sultry but pointillistic "For Mongezi Feza," where Smith runs scales and injects shards into what sounds like Thomas playing a celeste. Even when the music heats up, there's a welcome calm to it all where so many improvised sessions turn fiery."[5]
| Title |
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| 1. | "For Johnny Dyani" | |
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| 2. | "For Ashley Wales" | |
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| 3. | "For Mongezi Feza" | |
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| 4. | "For Grant Green" | |
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| 5. | "For Elton Dean" | |
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- Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith – trumpet
- Mark Sanders – drums
- John Coxon – electric guitar
- Pat Thomas – piano, synthesizer
