SAM NEWSOME
Global Unity
Palmetto
PM2074

LEON PARKER
The Simple Life
Label M
495730


I first heard straight-horn specialist Sam Newsome as a guest soloist on David Berkmans fine Communication Theory CD (Palmetto PM2059). Newsomes playing impressed me; his soprano sound is full-bodied, and very saxophone-like (as opposed to oboe-like), and his intonation is firm and sure. Like other notable soprano players such as Steve Lacy and Wayne Shorter, Newsome chooses his phrases judiciously, and avoids rushing through his solos on cascades of notes. He is also adept at percussive key-slapping effects (A Night in Indonesia), and upper register multiphonics; he uses the latter to great effect throughout Global Unity. On this CD, Newsomes front-line partner is Elizabeth Kontanomou, whose decidedly non-jazzy wordless vocals are quite appealing, albiet a bit strained at times.

Though his earlier recordings as a leader for Criss Cross and Steeplechase were more-or-less in the post-bop mainstream, Global Unity suggests that Newsomes interests in folk-ethnic forms are more than a passing fancy. The result resembles late-60s and early-70s efforts by groups such as The Paul Winter Consort and Oregon, only with a more-studied sense of exoticism. Jazz rhythms and trap kits are abandoned in favor of pronouncedly African, Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms played by multiple percussionists, though conventional jazz instrumentation dominates Newsomes shifting ensemble. Another property Newsomes music shares with that of the Winter Consort (and the Pat Metheny Group, circa First Circle) is a propensity towards simple, rather folksy melodies and sunny, churchy chord progressions. Unfortunately, first-rate improvising by Newsome, Kontanamou, and, on The Suckers Game, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, is not enough to save much of Global Unity from crossing over into sentimentality and World Beat pastiche.

Newsome and two of his side-persons (Kontanamou, and bassist Ugonna Okegwo) figure prominently on percussionist / vocalist Leon Parkers debut for Label M. The Simple Life features a vast array of side-people, mostly percussionists, singers, and one-shot guest artists. As a consequence, this CD lacks a group sound. Like Newsome, Parkers influences include the folk / ethnic rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean, rhythm n blues, and straight-ahead jazz. Listening to The Simple Life, I got the feeling that he wants to embrace it all, rather than deny any part of his musical heritage. At the same time, Parker eschews obvious world beat cliches, and presents the listener with a very personal synthesis of diverse musical styles.

To its detriment, The Simple Life relies heavily on drum-circle-esque percussion interludes, and brief vocal / percussion pieces that amount to little more than vaguely ritualistic-sounding chants (Peace, Makin Love, Divinity, Cest Moi, and O.K.). While some of this stuff is engaging and humorous, it wears thin after a few listens. Better are Parkers re-arrangements of jazz standards. Kontanamou sounds relaxed, and very much in her element, on Caravan (and throughout this CD), to which Newsome contributes a fine solo. Parkers duet with reedman Steve Wilson on Monks Green Chimneys is a remarkably sly and intelligent treatment of a bona-fide jazz classic. Wilsons playing, as usual, is first rate here.

Despite the funky RnB leanings of tunes like Everyday and Fast Life, Parkers original compositions hew surprisingly close to hard-bop orthodoxy. Belief is a down and dirty blowing vehicle marred only slightly by a poor quality live recording (warning: if you listen on headphones, the congas will hurt your ears!). Wilson and pianist Xavier Davis shine here; Davis preference for the dark keys produces some very interesting harmonies throughout, and Wilson simply plays like a man on fire. The inclusion of Belief, excerpted from Parkers similarly-titled 1996 Columbia CD, seems pretty odd, but the piece fits in quite nicely. Everything on The Simple Life is fuelled by Parkers pared-down, propulsive drumming. Though hes still a young fellow, Parkers playing is cannier than many veteran jazzmen he knows what not to play, and when he adds a fill or an accent, it has meaning in the context of the piece.

Despite some excellent individual performances, both Global Unity and The Simple Life amount to somewhat less than the sum of their parts. Both CDs are replete with sunny, friendly tunes that non-jazz folks will certainly enjoy. Both also lack the musical substance that would sate the serious jazz sensibility. That said, it is readily apparent that Parker is on to something.


-- Dave Wayne


Track Listing Global Unity: 1. When You See The Light; 2. A Night In Indonesia; 3. An Afrasian Occasion; 4. The Wedding March of a Playboy; 5. Into-Nation of Islam; 6. Bongo Bety; 7. The Sucker's Game; 8. Dance of the Deli Lama; 9. Dread Man Walking; 10. When You Hide From Me


Personnel Global Unity: Newsome, soprano sax; Elizabeth Kontanamou, voice (1-2,4-5,8); Marvin Sewell, guitars (1-2,4,7-8,10), bouzouki (5 only); Jean-Michel Pilc, piano (1,4,7); Ugonna Okegwo, bass (1-2,4-5,7-8); Satoshi Takeishi, percussion (1,4,7-8); Gilad, percussion (2-3,5-10); Mel Baker, electric bass (10 only); Jeff Berman, vibes (8,9), percussion (1-2,4,7); Adam Cruz, steel pan (2,9), percussion (3,9); Kahlil Kwame Bell, kalimba (3), percussion (6); Meg Okura, violin (3,5,8); Matt Balitsaris, mandola (2,5), 12-string guitar (5,9)

Personnel The Simple Life: Parker, drums, percussion, body percussion, vocals; Elizabeth Kontanamou, vocals (1-3, 8-9,11,14-15); Sam Newsome, soprano sax (1,13-14); Ugonna Okegwo, bass (2,5,8-10,13-14); Steve Wilson, soprano and alto saxophones (2,5,7,10); Kazi Oliver, percussion (5-6); Xavier Davis, piano (5,14); Stephen Chopek, percussion (8-9,13-14); Natalie Cushman, percussion (10); Adam Cruz, percussion (10); Tom Harrell, trumpet (10); Marya Lawrence, vocals (11); Kayoko Sakoh, vocals (11); Scott Latzky, percussion (11); Ania Gruca, percussion (11); Neil Ochoa, percussion (11); Stephanie Harrison, vocals (13); Jacky Terrasson, piano (13); Gregoire Maret, harmonica (14)