Wadada Leo Smith with Milford Graves and Bill Laswell: Sacred Ceremonies

On Sacred Ceremonies (TUM), the brilliant trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith duos and trios with drummer/herbalist Milford Graves and electric bassist Bill Laswell. Recorded in 2015-16, the three-disc box set serves as testament to the percussive genius of Graves, who died earlier this year, and to the late-period brilliance of Smith, whose recent discography includes uncompromising solo and small-group projects as well as visionary long-form—sometimes days long—undertakings. The two Sacred Ceremonies duet albums contain beautifully austere dialogues that pay off in the joyful, bubbling swing of the trio in full spiritual flight.