Customer Reviews

Above & Below

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a truly inspired album. Leon Parker, unlike many of his contemporaries, does not buy into the Dennis Chambers school of drumming (aka showing off). Parker, on the set, is a minimalist in that he has stripped his set to the bare essentials. On top of that, his actual playing on the set is drumming as it should be - he lays down a funky riff to support some fantastic side musicians. On top of this, Parker explores different modes of expression through percussion, such as his body and voice. The CD contains inspired playing by Parker and all musicians, but also contains amazing ensemble work. I highly reccommend this.

Leon has an interesting approach to the use of percussion, especially African based percussion, to produce some original and very tasty music.On Celebration and Caravan his percussive explorations are, to say the least, mesmerizing. David Sanchez fits, hand in glove, to complement the theme on Caravan.Paper Moon is done in a calypso, a la Sonny Rollins, with Jacky Terrasson introducing the opening solo followed by Joshua Redmanšs distinctive and rich statements.This is definitely someone to listen to repeatedly to hear the direction hešll be going.

Belief, which was released in 1996, was my favorite jazz CD of that year; I am not quite sure, but I think I might like Above and Below (released in 1994) even better. No, I can't really decide which I like better, the stripped-down instrumental simplicity of Belief, or the new twists given to some old chestnuts on Above and Below. I love the African-style percussion pieces on Belief, but I also love what Parker and his cohort do with some Monk tunes on Above and Below. I guess I really can't decide which CD is better, so I really am going to have to recommend them both.

Leon Parker is a young drummer who aims to strip things down to their essential. Instead of a big flashy drum kit, he typically plays on stage with one snare, one cymbal, and a single bass drum. These two CDs feature him playing that setup, plus various other percussion instruments, including his own body. But nothing ever sounds as it is done for effect: there is a probing musical spirit at work. Parker interacts with the other musicians on these recordings in such a way that nobody ever intrudes on anyone else's space. You get the clear sense that the drummer is the leader, but you never sense that Parker is showing off or trying to steal the spotlight.

These two CDs contain the freshest, most exciting, make-you-wanna-gitup-and-DANCE jazz that I have heard in quite a while. There's not a clunker cut--or even a clunker moment--on either CD. Sound quality is excellent: clear and dynamic on both CDs. You can't go wrong with either. You gotta get BOTH!

This great CD came seemingly out of nowhere, with strong beats, funky riffs and some great jazz playing. I wish there were more CDs like this one. I also wish Leon Parker was more actively on the scene.