LEON PARKER
The Simple Life (Label M)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The Simple Life reunites rhythmist Leon Parker with producer Joel Dorn for a rare original release on Dorn's Label M. Dorn has devoted most of his attention in recent years to re-issues and unearthing unheard live recordings, but Parker is one of the rare artists whose combination of talent and originality can still get Dorn into the producer's booth. The results, in this case, are highly rewarding.

In settings ranging from a recording studio to a club stage to a spot under New York's 59th Street Bridge, the 15 tracks use various combinations of almost twenty musicians, exploring a multi-ethnic, multi-dimensional body of material that emphasizes Parker's unique approach to rhythm. Coming up in the era of the big kit drummers, with double bass kits sporting banks of tom toms and cymbals, Parker swam against the tide. He frequently appeared with just a snare, bass and cymbal, and on occasion he would dispense with the snare and bass, playing whole sets on just a cymbal, and getting more out of it than some players could pull out of their enormous trap sets. On The Simple Life, he takes it a step further, emphasizing his vocal/body rhythm approach on several tracks, where he dispenses with any instrument at all other than himself.

While he mixes and matches musicians freely to achieve his particular goals for each track, vocalist Elisabeth Kontomanou and saxophonist Steve Wilson are his most consistent accomplices on this disc, and their efforts deserve special note.

Still in his 30s, Leon Parker has already changed the face of rhythmic composition and accompaniment. He continues to explore new territory on The Simple Life, and promises to reshape his approach even further over time. This is where he is at this time, though, and it's a fine place to join him. You don't want to miss this one.

Track List:

Caravan * Everyday * Street Sounds (interlude) * Makin' Love * Belief (live version) * Peace (interlude) * Green Chimneys * Divinity Pt. 1 * Divinity Pt. 2 * Ray Of Light (revisited) * Jungle (interlude) * C'est Moi (Interlude) * Fast Life * Evy's Samba * O.K.

© 2001 - Shaun Dale