Fire Into Music’s live LP on Ballroom Marfa flew out of here, a hit with jazz fans and investors alike.  Their follow up is this vibrant studio date, which features classic Parker/Drake grooves behind the vital Swell/Moondoc frontline.  This one hits me right from the word go, particularly Swell’s majestic “For Grachan” and Moondoc’s exquisite “For Arthur Williams”. 

Steve Swell: trombone
Jemeel Moondoc alto saxophone
William Parker: bass
Hamid Drake: drums

Dating as far back as his debut LP Through Acceptance of the Mystery Peace, William Parker has shown an interest in and an affinity for writing for strings, but it has never been given as much prominence on a recording as it is on this lovely disc where Parker’s working quartet collaborates with four younger string players to create music inspired by Jean Luc Godard’s “Alphaville”.  A refreshing and varied set that takes them to some new and often beautiful places. Leena Conquest also guests on two short tracks. 

William Parker: bass
Rob Brown: alto saxophone
Lewis “Flip” Barnes: trumpet
Hamid Drake: drums
Mazz Swift: violin
Jessica Pavone: viola
Julia Kent: cello
Shiau-Shu Yu: cello

Leena Conquest: vocals