Ten Freedom Summers
by Wadada Leo Smith
Metascore
99

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Dec 3, 2012
    100
    In this globalised but fragmented world, now so obsessed with immediacy, rapidity and digestibility, Ten Freedom Summers is a visionary work of protest and power.
  2. BBC Music
    Nov 9, 2012
    100
    Another classic of the genre is born.
  3. PopMatters
    Nov 9, 2012
    100
    In four and a half hours, Wadada Leo Smith writes one of America's defining events in sound, and the story is all of ours.
  5. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Nov 9, 2012
    100
    There are four CDs' worth but it's enormously rewarding, like mid-period Miles Davis playing Ligeti.
  6. AllMusic
    Dec 20, 2012
    90
    Ten Freedom Summers is his magnum opus; it belongs in jazz's canonical lexicon with Duke Ellington's Black Brown & Beige and Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    Nov 9, 2012
    90
    With this encyclopedic set, Smith delivers yet another convincing musical document for his consideration as one of the most accomplished composers/bandleaders currently working in creative improvised music.
  8. Exclaim
    Nov 9, 2012
    80
    Smith's music resonates with the suffering and the dreams of a better life that embodied the decade of 1954 to 1964 that is the subject of this powerful compendium of compositions.
  9. The Guardian
    Nov 9, 2012
    80
    The jazz and classical groups play separately and sometimes merge, and though conventional themes or sustained pulses are mostly sidelined by the languages of free jazz and contemporary classical music, this epic life's work is a landmark in jazz's rich canon.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2012
55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2012
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
4.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 221
  3. Negative: 123 out of 221
  1. Kelltar
    May 25, 2019
    1
    Not sure why all the high reviews. This album came out in 2012. Didn't see one review on I Tunes. To me, what I listened to, most of itNot sure why all the high reviews. This album came out in 2012. Didn't see one review on I Tunes. To me, what I listened to, most of it sounded the same. I understand celebrating a movement, but to rate something as the best album for that reason. Again, not even rated high on I Tunes in the jazz category.… Full Review »
  2. kingofjersey
    Nov 7, 2016
    10
    Incredible piece of work from an incredible musician. Ignore the user reviews, most of them are just angry that *blank* artist doesn't haveIncredible piece of work from an incredible musician. Ignore the user reviews, most of them are just angry that *blank* artist doesn't have the highest rated album on metacritic.… Full Review »
  3. BenDover54
    Jan 22, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Thissssssssssa doessssssssas not deserve a 99 ratinngggggggggggg. Hdjsnnelwodienwnwlsofjrjenwnmwmwa… Full Review »
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