William Parker - Double Sunrise Over Neptune

Ok it's definitely overdue - I really need to post some William Parker.

Modern avant-garde extraordinaire, bassist William Parker has been keeping the flame burning for all things free and avant-garde in todays somewhat diminishing jazz realm. He gained attention by working with saxophonist Peter Brötzmann, and has since worked with an enormous amount of talented people across the globe. The last couple of decades has seen him rise to prominence with many albums as leader under his belt.

This album here is somewhat in the meditative style of Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane, with a large ensemble playing repetitive figures of eastern influence. Awesome playing all round, and the vocals which at first seem like a bad idea, turn out to fit quite well.


Double Sunrise Over Neptune

Charles Gayle, William Parker and Rashied Ali - Touchin' on Trane

A fantastic tribute to one of the greatest, featuring Rashied Ali, the man behind the skins on Coltrane's later works, and two of the greats of the last few decades, Charles Gayle and William Parker.

Amazing.


Touchin' on Trane

William Parker - Sound Unity

Another great album from Mr Parker, which sees him and his quartet keeping themselves relatively restrained this time around. It's still tending towards avant-garde rather than just post-bop, but it's nowhere near as free as some of his other work. That's not to say it's any worse, or any better for that matter, just a different style. Sound Unity is a fascinating record.


Sound Unity

Frank Lowe - Black Beings

Some great avant garde stuff right here, which also happens to be William Parker's first official recording.

This release was out in '73 on ESP Disk, and contains some great interplay between the musicians. There's a nice amount of contrast between sections to keep it entertaining. Listen to place yet another piece of the free jazz puzzle.


Black Beings