Leon Parker

The Simple Life features the internationally renown rhythmist Leon Parker on 15 performances that bring his "vocal-body-rhythms" style (one that makes his voice and body his instrument) to the forefront of jazz. Merging the concept of music, dance, and theater, this is Parker's first release since 1998 and it combines performances recorded in unusual venues such as the streets of New York City, in a loft, live, and in the studio. Leon Parker's core group, vocalists Elizabeth Kontomanou and Ugonna Okegwo, are joined by several guest artists, including Steve Wilson and Sam Newsome on saxophones, Jacky Terrasson and Xavier Davis on piano, Tom Harrell on trumpet, and Adam Cruz taking over the percussion duties on "Ray of Light (Revisited)." Steve Wilson turns in a spectacular alto saxophone solo on "Belief," a live version recorded at the Village Vanguard. He builds several brilliant ideas around Parker's unique rhythmic twists that convert, expand, and transform the multicultural rhythms emanating from his drum kit. Parker's musical tastes and instrumental setups are as diverse as his rhythmic and internal metronome. Covers of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" and Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimney's" assert his mastery of jazz standards, while his overdub of himself on "C'est Moi" presents his vocal-body-rhythms to the tune of his own percussion. He plays on a full drum set on the lovely samba titled "Evy's Samba," and later switches to his well-known minimalist approach, playing only the bells on "Peace." Parker adds congas and vocals on "Jungle" and on the drums, percussion, and vocal-body rhythms on "Fast Life." Overall, The Simple Life is very entertaining -- consistent but refreshingly different than the critically acclaimed Belief. Most of all, it fulfills his quest to evolve a music that speaks an international, multicultural language. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide