Description
Cereal Music is bassist-composer-leader-poet William Parker's first spoken word album - observations from a profound life devoted to the path of finding truth in beauty and speaking truth to power. Parker's words are further illuminated by deeply sensitive sound design created by likewise devoted artist on the same path, producer and singer Ellen Christi.
William Parker's music - in its vast scope & range of form - has been an elemental nutrient of countless listeners lives for nigh on five decades. William's words - whether published on page or spoken from the stage - are part of that music. They speak on the beauty of life itself, amplifying the light of life ever-present, even in exceptionally difficult circumstance. As his first artistic expression, Parker began writing as a young person growing up in the South Bronx projects, presenting an alternate perception of often bleak surroundings and living conditions in the neighborhood. This early awareness that there was another way of being in the world, has suffused his development into a singularly generous artist and human being.
Ellen Christi's singing brings that same affirmation in the beauty of life. She & Parker's previous work together, The Majesty of Jah, is a tremendous feature for her voice. That album also includes the track, "Baldwin", w/ James Baldwin's ever-powerful words and voice resonating even more profoundly within the sonic architecture created around them by Christi. Here, she does the same for the words & voice of William Parker.
CD - deluxe 6-panel digipak, printed on heavyweight stock reverse board, 3 additional Bonus Tracks on CD edition.
LP - strictly limited edition of 500, black vinyl, jacket printed on reverse board. includes insert w/ illuminating notes & full-res download card w/ 3 bonus tracks.
William Parker: texts, recitation, +bass, flutes (on select tracks)
Ellen Christi: sound design, production, +vocals (on select tracks)
