William Parker / Raining on the Moon Forthcoming AUM Fidelity Release "Corn Meal Dance"

William Parker: bass
Rob Brown: alto saxophone
Hamid Drake: drums
Lewis Barnes: trumpet
Eri Yamamoto: piano
Leena Conquest: vocals

When Time Out New York proclaimed William Parker one of “the 50 greatest New York Musicians of all time" this past Spring, it was not just because he is “the most consistently brilliant free jazz bassist of all time" (Village Voice). Corn Meal Dance makes his multi-faceted talents as bassist, composer, poet, bandleader and songwriter abundantly clear. Raining On The Moon is the group which seamlessly fuses all of his prodigious gifts - his long-standing Quartet with Hamid Drake, Rob Brown, and Lewis Barnes is here exquisitely augmented by singer Leena Conquest once again, and pianist Eri Yamamoto for the first time--perfect harmonic expansion for the songcraft.

Corn Meal Dance is an incomparable and uncompromising work that AUM Fidelity is deeply honored to present; the release of this wonderful record is how AUM Fidelity is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Our first two releases were put forth in September 1997 and this beauty hits the streets in October 2007. ENJOY, AND PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD of CORN MEAL DANCE WITH ALL OF YOUR PASSION!

A Few Press Quotes from Raining On The Moon's previous release:

“For those not familiar with Parker's poetry, these pieces pursue an elemental purity through mystical language and metaphor, often verging on the psychedelic. What marks Raining on the Moon as unique in Parker's long list of recordings is its raw accessibility. And if that serves the purpose of introducing Parker's vision to new ears, it's more than done its job. When jazz historians look back on improvised music at the turn of this century, William Parker will stand as a giant among men." - All About Jazz

“These are great free-jazz art songs that emerge from an African-American vernacular. They're meant to speak on behalf of the defeated and the downtrodden, to offer hope, dignity, and compassion. No one else in jazz is combining the personal and the universal with the same power or persuasiveness." - Boston Phoenix

“Amazing... going back to the future in search of a missing jazz link to the soul-poetry of Van Morrison." - Village Voice

“On the one hand, Parker's music and poetry call us to critically evaluate present-day society, focusing on issues such as inequality, oppression, racism and war. At the same time, the album reaffirms everlasting ideals of hope, love, forgiveness and non-violence." - Dusted