[CENTERING 1004] - CD in deluxe 6-panel digipak
/// Currently sold out..
William Parker: bass, compositions
Darryl Foster: tenor sax
Cooper-Moore: organ
Gerald Cleaver: drums
A simply gorgeous soul-jazz organ quartet album that hearkens back to early-mid 60s sessions of similar form; fully revitalized by William Parker's indelible compositions and the generous musical gifts of Darryl Foster, Cooper-Moore and Gerald Cleaver. A straight-up late summer joy to celebrate life with all year 'round.
This very special recording project was fully produced by William Parker for his own Centering Records imprint, and dedicated to his Aunt Carrie Lee & Uncle Joe (who is pictured on the album cover). It was created to celebrate the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary on August 6th, 2010. William really wanted to get this album done in time for that auspicious date, and he did! Seven of the songs on this CD were written in December 2009 especially for this recording session; Ennio's Tag and Oasis were previously written and they fit in perfectly.
"A family thing. And a lot more than that: one of the great bassist’s most joyful, sunshine-filled records. An album of very accessible creative jazz with irresistible grooves. A federating record. A gem." –Monsieur Délire blog, François Couture
"Though mysticism and spirituality play a hand in his expansive aesthetic, so do earthly concerns like social justice and family. Uncle Joe's Spirit House is a deeply personal offering from a musician whose role as a scene leader and social activist is as significant as his instrumental prowess." –All About Jazz, Troy Collins
"The music flows like a deep and powerful river."
–Music and More, Tim Niland
"For a guy who’s rightly regarded as basically a load-bearing column holding up much of the New York avant-jazz scene, bassist William Parker records some remarkably mainstream-friendly albums. Don’t let this disc pass you by. It’s emotional, hard-grooving, occasionally abstract but often raw and bluesy music that shakes hands with the past before striding confidently into the future."
–Burning Ambulance, Phil Freeman
1. Uncle Joe's Spirit House - 09:01
2. Jacques' Groove - 02:13
3. Ennio's Tag - 05:41
4. Document for LJ - 10:44
5. Let's Go Down to the River - 07:19
6. Buddha's Joy - 08:47
7. The Struggle - 08:46
8. Theme for the Tasters - 07:47
9. Oasis - 04:12
All compositions by William Parker, © Centering Music (BMI)
Produced by William Parker for Centering Records
Recorded [January 22, 2010] & Mixed by Keith Parker
at The Gallery Recording Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Family photos courtesy of Uncle Joe,
who is featured on the front cover