Selected Tracks:
Processsion of the Great Ancestry (for Miles Davis)
  
Nuru Light: The Prince of Peace (for Martin Luther King)
  

Procession of the Great Ancestry
  Leo Smith (trumpet)
   Bobby Naughton (vibes)
   Joe Fonda (bass)
   Kahil El Zabar (drums, percussion)
   Louis Myers (electric guitar)
   Mchaka Uba (bass)
   John Powell (tenor saxophone)

This is "a music of ritual and blues, of space and light" as the Wire wrote when this recording was released in 1990.   Although this may be one of Smith's more obscure recordings, it certainly might be one of his most satisfying.  This is the first recording to showcase his expansive vision, which included all forms of black music, from the myriad languages of jazz to gutbucket blues, reggae, R&B, and African folk musics.  It is also the first recording to feature Smith's wonderful vocals.

This tribute recording by Smith (before the name change) comes with our highest recommendation.

7 tracks in 47:16 minutes

More Nessa Records

If you missed this cd, you might enjoy listening to:

If You Believe (El Zabar, Bang, Bluiett)

Condor Autumn Wind (Wadada Leo Smith)

New Orbit (Smith, Shipp, Parker, Cleaver)

19 Moons (Faruq Z. Bey with Northwoods Improvisors)

One For Jazz (Frank Lowe, Billy Bang, Ed Schuller, Abbey Raider)

Live At the Glenn Miller Cafe (Arthur Doyle, Sonny Murray)

St. Louis Blues (Shepp, Davis and Murray)