Bassist
William Parker
's discography is uncommonly rich in recordings of profound and lasting relevance. Recorded in late 2007 and released the following year,
Petit Oiseau
should be regarded as a triumphant achievement by one of the early 21st century's strongest and most rewarding quartets. The time-tempered chemistry that exists between
Parker
and drummer
Hamid Drake
is both sustaining nourishment and potent nerve tonic for the listener's soul. Trumpeter
Lewis Barnes
and alto saxophonist
Rob Brown
interact beautifully as the other quadrants of this exceptionally fine unit. Here the inexhaustible springs of
's imagination have resulted in eight colorful studies, three of which are cast as tributes to his musical heroes. "Malachi's Mode" honors
Malachi Favors Maghostus
, master bassist and multi-instrumental/founding member of the
Art Ensemble of Chicago
. "Shorter for Alan" salutes
Wayne Shorter
's brother, a trumpeter of uncompromising creativity who is remembered as a free jazz session leader, and for his collaborative work with
Marion Brown
and
Archie Shepp
. The driving force inherent in the Swedish hard bop recordings that bassist
Tommy Potter
made in 1956 seems to suggest that "Four for Tommy" is dedicated to that individual.
's tune may have even been directly inspired by
Potter
's album
Hard Funk in Sweden
. While this hunch is only conjectural, the auditory evidence is compelling. By way of contrast, "Dust from a Mountain" takes on an earthier atmosphere as
switches to cedar flute,
Barnes
mutes his trumpet,
Drake
coaxes living tones from the body of a balafon, and
Brown
swaps his alto for a bass clarinet.
exists in an exalted category, among the finest recordings in all of
's oeuvre. The visual artwork by
David Kroll
adds yet another dimension to this highly recommended album. ~ arwulf arwulf