One of the greatest albums
ever on the legendary Strata East label - and that's saying a hell of a lot!
Drummer Billy Parker is a player that we don't know much, but he'll always be
well-remembered for this album's sublime blend of spiritual jazz styles! The
lineup is wonderful - a hip quintet with Ron Bridgewater on tenor and Cecil
Bridgewater on trumpet - plus sister Dee Dee on additional vocals at a few
points too! Donald Smith (Lonnie Liston's brother) also plays piano, and sings
a bit - with his warmly soulful style that makes the album's leadoff track a
killer classic - and the rest of the group is rounded out by Cecil McBee on
bass and Parker on drums. Tracks have those perfect blends of searching,
soaring elements that virtually define the Strata East vision in the 70s - and
titles include the sublime "Dance of The Little Children", plus
"Gemini's Lullaby", "Home", "Get With It", and
"Freedom Of Speech".
Strata-East Records, SES-19754,
1975
Recorded 24th May,
1974
Musicians:
Billy Parker - Drums
Cecil Bridgewater - Trumpet
Ronald Bridgewater - Tenor
Saxophone
Donald Smith - Piano, Vocals
Cecil McBee - Bass
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocals
Tracks:
A1. Dance Of The Little
Children {Donald Smith, Ronald Bridgewater} (5:06)
A2. Gemini's Lullabye {Cecil
Bridgewater} (6:56)
A3. Home {Arr. Cecil McBee,
Cecil McBee} (8:19)
B1. Get With It {Arr. Cecil
Bridgewater, Ronald Bridgewater} (4:05)
B2. Freedom Of Speech {Billy
Parker} (15:29)
Credits:
Producer - Billy Parker
Recording Engineer - Ron Carran
Mixing Engineer - Randy Adler
Design [Inside Cover Design]
- Vernon Grant
Photography - Darnell C.
Mitchell
Liner Notes - Billy Earl Parker Jr.
