Theo Parrish : Parallel dimensions -reissue (Ubiquity Records)
Even
for folks who aren't fans of Theo Parrish's brand of four-on-the-floor
electronic music - and I definitely am a fan - one truism that is hard
to deny is that Parrish has a sound of his own, one that adds variety
to the mixed cosmology of electronic music. Most closely identified
with house and detroit techno, Parrish brings his own sensibilities,
tones, and tempos into his music. For that I applaud him -as do a lot
of other critics and fans.
Parallel Dimensions is actually material he had previously
unleashed in limited quantities. The sage folks at Ubiquity decided
to work with him to rerelease the album so more of his fans and new
listeners can experience the music. It was a wise move, as Parallel
Dimensions is a refreshing sound in spite of the fact its initial
release was back in 2000.
While Parrish's sound is not easily definable, and thankfully so, I
have come to expect his music to be deep, multilayered and on the lower
side of the tempo spectrum. All of that comes through on Parallel Dimensions.
Muffled basslines that rest underneath the beat and slowly emerge into
the audible spectrum; jazz and world music loops carefully snipped of
recognizable phrasing, repeating, yet not repetitive; contemplative
arrangements that suck the listener in with new sonic discoveries at
each new listen; these are the elements that make up a satisfying Parrish
record.
Some standout tracks on this album: Summertime is Here features
soulful vocals and accompanying saxophones and morphs into what could
be a Sun Ra Quartet. The album opener So Now What takes similar
classic jazz cues and sets us off in modern directions. As its title
suggests Serengeti Echoes recalls communication and celebration
upon the great African plateau. But, don't mistake the music as derivative
rehashing of jazz or African music -culture appropriation by the numbers.
This is electronic soul, interpreted through one man's vision, informed
as much by ancestry and history as by the urban Detroit environment
or the halls of education Parrish has lived in.
Review
by Gordon K. Hurd
