Sound Unity

Amazon.com
This version of bassist William Parker’s quartet debuted with the superb O’Neal’s Porch in 2002, but it’s based on long-standing allegiances. Alto saxophonist Rob Brown has worked with Parker since the 1980s, while Parker and drummer Hamid Drake have established themselves as a dominant rhythm section in many groupings, merging the elasticity of free jazz with the grooves of classic Blue Note hard bop. The clear inspiration for this band, completed by trumpeter Lewis Barnes, is Ornette Coleman’s quartet, circa 1960 — a resemblance marked by Brown’s speech-like alto saxophone and Drake’s pulsing polyrhythm, combining African, Caribbean and New Orleans sources in a way that suggests Coleman’s great drummer Eddie Blackwell. But what makes the William Parker Quartet most resemble the Coleman bands, and raises it well above imitation, is the almost telepathic interaction and bubbling conversation between the four; from homages to fallen giants like "Wood Flute Song" for Don Cherry to the dancing mood of "Groove." --Stuart Broomer

Sound Unity,William Parker Quartet,Aum Fidelity,Avant-Garde Jazz,Jazz,Modern Creative,Pop

Average customer rating: Musical Wordsworth! How do you review jazz? pure The Quartet The Quartet - Live!

Sound Unity William Parker Quartet Manufacturer: Aum Fidelity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall 7 Black Butterflies O'Neal's Porch Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945 Jumping the Creek ASIN: B0009298VG Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

1. Hawaii
2. Wood Flute Song
3. Poem For June Jordan
4. Sound Unity
5. Harlem
6. Groove

Amazon.com

This version of bassist William Parker's quartet debuted with the superb O'Neal's Porch in 2002, but it's based on long-standing allegiances. Alto saxophonist Rob Brown has worked with Parker since the 1980s, while Parker and drummer Hamid Drake have established themselves as a dominant rhythm section in many groupings, merging the elasticity of free jazz with the grooves of classic Blue Note hard bop. The clear inspiration for this band, completed by trumpeter Lewis Barnes, is Ornette Coleman's quartet, circa 1960 — a resemblance marked by Brown's speech-like alto saxophone and Drake's pulsing polyrhythm, combining African, Caribbean and New Orleans sources in a way that suggests Coleman's great drummer Eddie Blackwell. But what makes the William Parker Quartet most resemble the Coleman bands, and raises it well above imitation, is the almost telepathic interaction and bubbling conversation between the four; from homages to fallen giants like "Wood Flute Song" for Don Cherry to the dancing mood of "Groove." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Musical Wordsworth!.......2006-05-09

Having purchased a few of O'Neal's recordings through the AUM website, and finding this quartet's previous (O'Neals Porch) a high-water mark, I would nevertheless definitely put this one at the head of the class. I am not a jazzophile - Corbett and Giddins probably listen to more music on a lazy Sunday than I do in a month. Nevertheless, I know what I like and I think I could listen to Hamid Drake drum on the skull of my dying mother and still raise a smile. Highly recommended for the sound quality and the inventive playing that never loses the listener and rewards repeated plays.

How do you review jazz?.......2006-02-09

I'm a relatively recent admirer of jazz. My collection is growing but by no means comprehensive. I'm in awe of the reviewers in Downbeat Magazine and some of the ones on Amazon as well. They know the techniques the players use and precisely what a particular musician did at a particular moment to make the sound he or she made. I can't do that. All I can say is I was curious about this album after the "Best of 2005" designation by Amazon and bought it. What can I say? I love it! The greatest compliment I can give a jazz album is the fact that I can listen to it from beginning to end without moving a muscle. I'll probably take a shot at more titles by Mr. Parker and have already purchasedanother Amazon "Best Of" by Drew Gress. I guess I have a thing for free jazz bass. If that's not the correct term then I just really liked both albums a lot.

pure.......2005-06-08

This is an outstanding set of tunes, recorded live in montreal and vancouver last year. All six tunes are penned by Parker. They all have that rhythmic pulse that only Parker and Hamid Drake are able to create. Call it groove or call it swing, it's irrisistable. Nobody does it as well as Parker and Drake. Nobody.
Lewis Barnes and Rob Brown are an ideal horn team to play over top of the pulse. They are both strong ensemble players and spectacular soloists. There are no weak moments on this disc.
This is easily one of the top releases of this or any other year. Absolutely essential listening.

The Quartet.......2005-05-04

Mr. Parker's first album with this group, O'neal's Porch, rightfully received excellent reviews, appearing on NY Times top 10 list, and so on. The group did release another album a couple years ago with a vocalist, so this is essentially the second album featuring only the quartet.

It was released in late March by AUM Fidelity through their website, which is why I, and it seems the below reviewer, have heard this CD many times. I've listened to it almost every day for the past month, and I still look forward to listening it.

Parker has said that he would like his Orchestra to sound like a quartet- no easy feat considering the huge sound of it. At times I feel like this quartet sounds like an orchestra, and not because they play particularly loud or aggressive. As a matter of fact, this album is in many ways very straight ahead, full of melodies, walking bass, in the pocket drumming, and intertwined sax and trumpet. The reason I say that it sounds like an orchestra is that sometimes you can just hear something bigger than the four players. It has nothing to do with volume. It might be that they play so naturally, effortlessly, and with such confidence in each other, that they become not only "a whole greater than the sum", but an entire new entity. That may seem like hyperbole, but anyone who has seen William Parker play live knows that many strange things are possible.

More simply put, I think anyone can listen to this album and right away "get it". This is not avant-garde, or free, or straight ahead, or whatever other label there is. It is excellent music- and it also makes my crappy hour long commute somewhat enjoyable.

The Quartet - Live!.......2005-05-03

Jazz bassist and composer William Parker is the penultimate Renaissance Man. Founder and organizer of NYC's Vision Fest, big band leader, sideman extraordinaire and duo partner with such scene luminaries as Hamid Drake and Matthew Shipp, Parker has demonstrated his talents in almost every conceivable setting. But it is in that most traditional of post-bop line-ups that Parker's true genius manifests itself, the piano-less quartet. Although they only have one previous album available, 2000's magnificent studio recording: "O'Neal's Porch," their lack of catalog has not diminished the group's importance or level of acclaim. Recorded live (with studio quality sound) in Vancouver and Montreal, "Sound Unity" is the triumphant follow up fans have been waiting for.

The album features all new tunes played with the stylistic variety and passionate intensity that this group is admired for. Parker's quartet writing is surprisingly melodic considering his avant garde credentials and all of the tunes feature catchy, memorable melodies. There are bouncy mid-tempo swingers such as the opening cut, "Hawaii," and the retro-cool swagger of the noirish "Harlem." "Poem For June Jordan," is a magisterial ballad, but the order of the day is the vigorous but accessible free-bop found in the jaunty, angular "Wood Flute Song." Parker's interest in traditional ethnic music is represented with the Africanized bass modal vamp that introduces the title track and "Groove" features Hamid Drake delivering a shuffling reggae rhythm that takes the album out on a gentle but joyous note.

The ensembles harmonic and rhythmic interplay is so remarkable that one can't help but be reminded of Ornette Coleman's classic quartet. Rob Brown's keening tart alto is often the hot Yin to Lewis Barne's cool muted trumpet Yang and Parker is not only the foundation, but a mighty soloist as well. To say there have been few other jazz bassists since Charles Mingus who are as melodic as Parker is no casual overstatement. As a rhythm section, the Parker-Drake axis is an unbeatable combination, from thrashing primal energy to subtle, nuanced call and response, these two can and have played virtually everything together. Widely considered one of jazz's finest rhythm sections, Parker and Drake's symbiotic rapport is well documented with "Sound Unity" as ample proof. This quartet exemplifies the art of jazz improvisation at its most telepathic level, a group that will easily go down in the history books as revered as Miles Davis' second quintet or John Coltrane's classic quartet.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was an audience member for the Montreal set and so can readily attest to the remarkable performances contained herein. A note on the sound quality for audiophiles; although the audience can be heard briefly clapping in the distance after individual solos, there is no other obvious indication of their presence. The endless applause that normally plagues live albums before and after tracks has been mercifully edited out and so the album flows seamlessly. The band is well miked and up front in the mix, so the entire recording is virtually studio quality.

Average customer rating: enchanting, unique, beautiful, hypnotic... Album of the decade? Awesome work from a great Australian band. Very george and more emotional than ever!

Unity Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Polyserena ASIN: B00016XMM6 Release Date: 2004-01-01

Album Description

The Australian indie act's eagerly anticipated sophomore album, the followup to 2002's 'Polyserena'. Includes the first single 'Still Real'. Festival/Mushroom. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

enchanting, unique, beautiful, hypnotic..........2006-09-13

this album is a burgeoning of beautiful & eclectic songs, pouring out from the daring, yet humble, brilliance of a band. the vocals of both singers swirl in & out of my ears, the key changes & bridges take me to another world within the same song, the lyrics'll move you if you let them...this is a good album by a good band. (my favorite song is "surrender")

Album of the decade?.......2004-08-19

I'm sure you've read plenty of hyped reviews from excited teenagers saying "This is the best album EVER!" etc. Well, it's a while since I've been a teenager, and this is not my favourite album of all time, but it's certainly the best I have heard in the last 5 years or so.

It has all the virtuosity of the latest Radiohead, but with far more warmth of feeling. It has not one but TWO amazingly gifted singers, a group of musicians capable of throwing rock, orchestral music and electronica into a single song and making it work, but most of all it has heart. After 6 months of listening to this album it's in my player more frequently than when I first bought it, not less.

The decade is only half over, but it's going to take something very special indeed to oust this from my no.1 position for this particular stretch of 10 years.

Awesome work from a great Australian band........2004-03-14

I largely agree with the other review... I think it's great that a band who's done an acclaimed pop-fusion album showing off their immense skills and selling it platinum can completely change their sound for their second album. There's jazz, funk and ballads and a bit of rock on here. This album worked for me better after seeing it live - I at first thought it was too experimental, but it's grown on me. I can see them playing the chorus of "One" at protest rallies in 20 or 30 years time, and "Fortunate Smile" will always remind me of the man Katie Noonan invited on stage here in Perth to propose to his now-fiancee.

Katie's ethereal vocals (13 years of classical voice training and it shows), Tyrone's almost Jeff-Buckley-esque contrast, Nick's seemingly impossible guitar playing (a lot of what sounds like synth is actually him), Jeff's ability to keep time even with the oddest time signatures, and Paulie's organic bass combine to make one of the two best bands I've heard out of Australia in the past 10 years easily (the other being John Butler Trio).

Very george and more emotional than ever!.......2004-02-28

I'm very happy with this album. It sucks how underratted these guys are. I can't believe that katie noonan's incredible voice that hits notes high and low and in-between, while keeping each note in beautiful harmony, not even faultering a little, has not yet been fully recognised.

This time the band have gathered the brisbane symphony orchestra to accompany their already beautiful sounding songs. I agree with kt when she says (on the dvd - from the dvd edition of this cd) that it's almost too much and you feel like crying just about. Kt's and Ty's vocal chords already amplify the beauty of each note but this is just awesome.

It's also an album that grows on you. Each time I listen to this album I find something else in each song to hear and it becomes more and more enjoyable.

Lyrically george are also a relief. Each song is not a lovesong or breakup song but a song about self-respect and democracy, and of course unity and friendship and being grateful for being alive. In a world where bands can sometimes only sound beautiful when they etch on depressing, it's a relief to hear a band that make music sound beautiful and uplifting.

Since amazon hasn't got the tracklisting here I'll just put one down with some short descriptions of each track:

1: "Falling Inside" - A strong uplifting open to the album, with vocals by katie noonan. The circus sounding trumpets introducing the song bring a different sound for george, introducing the orchestra's part in the album.

2: "Still Real" - A very beautiful track by Katie again. There's not much I can say on this you'll have to listen to it, very beautiful.

3: "One" - is a nice soft rock track by Tyrone Noonan and has an emotional bridge that brings the song together well.

4: "Beauty Of All Things" - is a smile-on-your-face song and is very chillout, also by Tyrone Noonan.

5: "Captive" - is emotional in the way it plays in different movements. Another kt song.

6: "Today" - "Be Happy For Today" - so simple but without being lame. A ty song but, like in "one", a powerfully emotional bridge, with backing vocals by kt.

7: "Fall" - Katie Noonan put it best when she said "emotional intensity". A little melancholy.

8: "Change" - A very nice ty song.Haven't listened to it enough yet. It's not the strongest song on the album.

9: "Fortunate Smile" - I like this song heaps. Another Ty song. And it gets more emotional as it goes on.

10: "Jaded" - perhaps my favourite song on the whole album (though it's hard to choose from so many greats). Very quick witted, uplifting and heartfelt song by kt.

11: "Surrender" - A very soft song by kt. Almost like side preject "Elixir" (who are also very nice).

12: "Growing With Love" - a very different sound for george. By tyrone this song it's a song that branches out a little from "their sound". More "world music" sounding.

This album works so well that it's best just to listen to it through and let it wash over you. Very powerful emotional stuff. We need more of this in the charts and less britney spears...

Average customer rating:

Voyage Into Paradise Mixed By Unity Dub Manufacturer: Liquid Sound System ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006FX67 Release Date: 2006-08-01

Album Details

This is the Second in a Series of Paradise Albums and Sees Uber Chillout DJ Unity Dub (Bill Evan) Mix Up a Sublime Collection of Classics Old and New. Tracks Come from Many of the Leading Acts in Ambient Dub Including Groove Corporation, Bill Laswell, Youth, Gabriel Le Mar, Sounds from the Ground and Sheffield's Own Chillage People.

Average customer rating:

Diverse Unity of One Manufacturer: Jahfirm Sound System ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA6M3M Release Date: 2004-09-14

Average customer rating: Track Listing

Certain Damage Volume 33 XYMOX, Mind Funk, Unity 2, Rheostatics, Jan Garbarek Definition of Sound , Phranc, Mark Germino & The Sluggers, Horse Flies, Big Dish, Bulgarian Womens Choir , Muungano National Tour of Kenya, Wayne Toups, Goo Goo Dolls Mighty Force , and Liquid Jesus Manufacturer: CMJ ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N8WZ2U

Product Description

Promo with complete art

Customer Reviews:

Track Listing.......2007-02-23

1. Now Is Tomorrow--Definition Of Sound
2. Phoenix Of The Heart--Xymox
3. Ride & Drive--Mind Funk
4. Buckwheat The Rebel--Unity 2
5. Record Body Count--Rheostatics
6. Molde Canticle Part 4--Jan Garbarek
7. Shope Shope--Bulgarian Women's Choir
8. I'm Not Romantic--Phranc
9. Leroy and Bo's Totalitarian Showdown--Mark Germino & The Sluggers
10. Sally Ann--Horse Flies
11. Miss America--Big Dish
12. Drive--Mighty Force
13. Let The Dream Play On--Rhythm Tribe
14. Namuvera Jesu--Muungano National Choir Of Kenya
15. Fish Out Of Water--Wayne Toups
16. Just The Way You Are--Goo Goo Dolls
17. Goodtime Baby--Liquid Jesus

Average customer rating:

Polish Club Sound Unity, Vol. 4 Various Artists Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000S0FN8G Release Date: 2005-09-24

Average customer rating:

Lost Cause in Paradise Incision , Twenty Five to Life , and Call for Unity Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Compilations | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore & Punk | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004T9UI Release Date: 2001-02-23

Tracks:

1. Hardcore Pride - Straight Savage Style
2. Break The Silence - Strength Approach
3. Poisoned Blood - Born From Pain
4. One Falls Off - Strength For A Reason
5. Give Something Back - Not Without Resistance
6. Disregard - Eye To Eye
7. Suicide Attack - No One Rules
8. Wall Of Lies - Eternal B
9. Sun Lies - Without Limit
10. Power Of The Surface - Strength
11. Wake Up And Live - Comin Correct
12. Where It Begins - 25 Ta Life
13. Resistance - Dynasty
14. Thought Of The Enslaved - Length Of Time
15. Pain Is Weakness - Stampin Ground
16. Ill Vision - Knuckledust
17. Deathrow Earth - Liar
18. What Becomes - Incision
19. Memories - Only Attitude Counts
20. Endless Way - Blue Beard
21. Breaking The Pain Barrier - Distrust
22. Never Give In - A Step Apart
23. Stand Your Ground - Stronger Than Hate
24. What Do We Have - Absolutely No Appeal

Album Description

UK release recorded live in Chicago. Tracks include, 'King Will Come', 'Standing In The Rain', 'In The Skin', 'Hard Times' and 'Living Proof'. Biographic sleeve notes complement this fantastic live album. 11 tracks. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.

Average customer rating:

Exsplowzun Mr. Splow Manufacturer: L.U.R. (love- unity- respect) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA789O Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. Introducing Mr. Splow Feat. Oc Bone
2. Shake It
3. 10 Mistakes
4. Splow's Kisses
5. *Defnition of Aruggi*
6. Real Ruggi
7. Baby U Don' Have to Worry Feat. Oc Bone
8. So Mi Roll Feat. Oc Bone
9. Bad Man No Want Feat: Sho Time
10. Lordy Lordy
11. Babay I'm for Real Feat: Torrie
12. S.E.X.
13. Nickiesha Feat: Xo
14. Mighty Splow Feat: Gatlin
15. Mama's Chant
16. Mama's Song Feat. Oc Bone
17. So Many Woman
18. Getto Cry Feat: S.A.C.

Average customer rating:

Stann Up Manufacturer: Brothers of Unity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAEBRQ Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

1. Stan'n Up

Average customer rating: Amazing New Artist

Surprise Manufacturer: Sandfly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000BHTE0Y Release Date: 2003-03-04

Customer Reviews:

Amazing New Artist.......2006-03-13

I have been following Sandfly for many years now - and let me tell you their time has come! This amazing mix of rock, reggae and many other international influences amounts to one great listen. The lyrics are also definitely worth paying attention to. Great for a lazy Sunday, an evening at home or a long drive. Definitely recommend.

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