With Celestial Weather, Wadada Leo Smith and John Lindberg employ a spare, conversational approach. Smith whispers on the mute and issues plaintive cries with the open horn. Lindberg bows and goes pizzicato. Smith searches for and finds very un-trumpet-like sounds-squawks and squeaks and whistles. Unlike Smith's large scale offerings, that often feature massive cacophonies, space is a major facet of the sound. It is music that is reflective and serene. The disc's centerpiece, the five part "Celestial Weather Suite," features sections like "Cyclone," "Hurricane" and "Typhoon," but the music is far from the cataclysms the titles might imply. The sound, as on the rest of the set, is thoughtful and patient, like raging winds filmed then set on slow motion, so the intricacies of the maelstroms can be better observed/heard. Celestial Weather is another worthy entry into Wadada Leo Smith's ever-growing library of numerous duo recordings.
- Dan McClenaghan, Allaboutjazz.com