snobb Free jazz, as an example of a cultural component of social protest movements, came among the very first such musical genres and experienced its peak as such during late 50s - early 60s. Upcoming rock music era, which in big part was a product of that very same jazz/blues, exploded much louder and wider with Woodstock and the Sorbonne student's riots in the late 60s, and stayed as a dominate part of Western civilization's counter-culture for decades to come. Free jazz at the late 60s - early 70s silently returned back to where it came from - urban underground culture. As a result, "Woodstock aesthetics" survived as a renown cultural phenomena till now (fortunately, all tries to revitalize it finished unsuccessfully), free jazz aesthetics is now known between a small circle of fans and followers.

"Nuba", recorded by three true masters of the genre, and released in 1979 (a decade too late, I would say), is a great example of that unique atmosphere of the time and place. The unorthodox trio consists of drummer Andrew Cyrille, (who is active till now and is responsible for some best avant-garde jazz albums, released in last few decades), alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons and possibly the best ever free jazz vocalist Jeanne Lee (both passed away). The album's music is of free form, but contains a lot of tune snippets, and partially works as an accompaniment to Jeanne's poem. There is no leader, all of the musicians are equal collaborators with enough space for each. Cyrille builds aerial minimalistic rhythm constructions, Lyons saxophone is warm and soulful, often recalling the singer's vocals. Lee's singing is excellent - partially wordless, it builds a very spiritual atmosphere on the album of free form and with a lot of free space.

Differently from many more traditional jazz albums coming from the same time, "Nuba" doesn't sound as classic or dated, it is more timeless music from a parallel reality, far not everyone even knows it existed. Those interested to find out what it was, can start right here. Originally released on vinyl in Italy only on Black Saint label, the album has been re-issued on CD in 2009, so it's still possible to find a copy.

snobb Seasoned drummer Andrew Cyrille is better known by his collaboration with leading jazz musicians of different time periods starting from Cecil Taylor to Anthony Braxton to Oliver Lake among many others but he has released two dozen albums as leader as well."Lebroba" is his second album for prestigious German ECM label and here he leads a super trio containing living legends trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and guitarist Bill Frisell.

Don't worry much about unimaginative album's title(Lebroba is a contraction of Leland, Brooklyn and Baltimore, birthplaces of trio's members), the music is really more impressive.

Frisell,who did his name playing with John Zorn's radical avant-garde projects and later moved solo towards trademark Americana-jazz, is in great form here and differently from his many solo works from last decades he plays more inventively and far not such safe. There are even some explosive guitar solos what wasn't heard from him possibly from 80s. Still everyone knowing his sound will easily recognize who's playing guitar here.

Wadada Leo Smith was one of AACM founders in early 70s and he experiences huge renaissance during last two decades after all these years.His trumpet is a main beauty of "Lebroba" music. On many pieces he sounds as early electric Miles but not pushing the music ahead with explosive soloing,instead slowing it down with aerial and quite dry sound.

Now the music - it is expected for those familiar with Smith's most current works, but still quite different. Low-to-mid tempo songs are well-composed and sound not meditative but dry-calculated, minimalist and contains some internal tension. The opener is renown Frisell song "Worried Woman" sounding here as if Frisell has invited Miles Davis to his small band.

"Turiya:Alice Coltrane Meditations and Dreams:Love" is written by Smith and lasts 17+ minutes."TGD" is written by all three members and last two songs are Cyrille's.

Minimalist, with anchoring drummer and airy guitar and trumpet interplay (what an usual format for a trio!)spiced with tasteful and live-full (and sometimes free) soloing this music is new, beautiful,quite accessible but trully creative.

It's almost unbelievable how jazz veterans (with youngest Bill Frisell(68))can take risks searching for new sounds and succeed doing it.