Released 10 years ago
America's National Parks
Wadada Leo Smith · 2016
96 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A sweeping exploration of America’s landscapes through expansive improvisation and intricate soundscapes that merge history with jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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New Orleans: The National Culture Park USA 1718 — The opening track sets the tone with its lengthy improvisational passages that evoke the historical significance of New Orleans, showcasing Smith's mastery of blending narrative with musical exploration.
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The Mississippi River: Dark and Deep Dreams Flow the River – a National Memorial Park c. 5000 BC — This piece spans over thirty minutes, illustrating the depth of Smith's creative vision as it navigates the river's historical and cultural layers through dynamic shifts in texture and rhythm.
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Yosemite: The Glaciers, the Falls, the Wells and the Valley of Goodwill 1890 — In this track, Smith captures the grandeur of Yosemite through vivid sonic imagery, employing rich harmonies and intricate melodies that reflect both nature’s beauty and fragility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's expansive improvisation and thematic depth create a unique auditory experience tied to American landscapes.
What we noticed
- Each track features extended improvisational sections that explore different musical themes, reflecting the landscapes they represent.
- Tracks vary significantly in length, with some exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep exploration of motifs and ideas.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sweeping explorations of nature
- patient unfolding of narratives
- immersive soundscapes for reflection
- evocative storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, quick tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2016, America's National Parks is Wadada Leo Smith's follow-up to his acclaimed album, The Great Lakes Suite. At this stage in his career, Smith had firmly established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz, and this album reflects both his deep engagement with American cultural history and his continued evolution as a composer and improviser.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Henry Threadgill· Anthony Braxton· Roscoe Mitchell
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 New Orleans: The National Culture Park USA 1718 20:59
- 2 Eileen Jackson Southern,1920-2002: A Literary National Park 9:40
- 3 Yellowstone: The First National Park and the Spirit of America – The Mountains, Super-Volcano Caldera and Its Ecosystem 1872 12:35
Disc 2
- 1 The Mississippi River: Dark and Deep Dreams Flow the River – a National Memorial Park c. 5000 BC 31:07
- 2 Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks: The Giant Forest, Great Canyon, Cliffs, Peaks, Waterfalls and Cave Systems 1890 6:46
- 3 Yosemite: The Glaciers, the Falls, the Wells and the Valley of Goodwill 1890 15:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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