Cereal Music by William Parker & Ellen Christi

[AUM119]

William Parker: texts, recitation, +bass, flutes
Ellen Christi: sound design, production, +vocals
[additional contributors noted in credits below]

DO READ this perfectly pithy review on Bandcamp Daily: https://daily.bandcamp.com/best-jazz/the-best-jazz-on-bandcamp-july-2024-2

Cereal Music is William Parker’s first spoken word album – poetry and 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 an equally long-time compatriot 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 [ Volume 3 of Migration of Silence Into and Out Of The Tone World ], is a tremendous feature for her voice. That album also includes the track, “Baldwin” [ https://williamparker.bandcamp.com/track/baldwin-vol-3-the-majesty-of-jah ], w/ James Baldwin’s ever-powerful words and voice resonating even more profoundly within the sonic architecture created around them by Christi. [ Ellen also created the track "Freedom" same way, and mixed the whole album. ] When she got in touch to tell me she had begun work on a similar album-length project, centered on William’s spoken texts, I immediately asked that she please send the pieces as she finished them. And on hearing, I was deeply moved again, and again.. Blessings on the creators. May light love and wisdom always be strong.

= The cover painting & additional paintings on Cereal Music are by William Parker. =

On June 28, AUM Fidelity released two new and distinct album works by William Parker, each as full of beauty and truth as ever. This gem, and 'Heart Trio', created together with also long-time compatriots Cooper-Moore & Hamid Drake: https://williamparker.bandcamp.com/album/heart-trio-2

William Parker received Lifetime of Achievement Honors at Vision 2024. This celebration took place June 18, 2024 at Roulette, Brooklyn: https://www.artsforart.org/vision/

Tracklist

1.	Ode to Kidd Jordan	2:06

2.	Baseball	0:59
3.	Birth	2:17
4.	Death	2:28
5.	Do Dreams Sleep	5:43

6.	Ellen and Leaves Floating	6:02
7.	Plea	2:46
8.	Into My Heart	4:29

9.	Touring	1:02
10.	Sonny	5:44
11.	Uninvited Guest	1:37

12.	We Were Very Civilized	3:07

13.	Batala ( *CD bonus track )	1:34
14.	Windshield Wipers ( *CD bonus track )	6:00
15.	Prayer ( *CD bonus track )	6:40

Credits

released June 28, 2024

Words by William Parker, © Centering Music
Compositions / Production by Ellen Christi, © Ellen Christi Music
except “Prayer” composed by William Parker

Additional contributors:
Steve Swell: trombone (4)
Bea Labikova: alto saxophone (5, 6)
Dave Sewelson: vocals (12)
And sampled:
The Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra,
from “Creation of the Tone World” (4, 8, 10, 14)
Gnawan musicians, private recording in Ellen’s collection (12) Recording of birds in the park (5) &
windshield wipers in his car (14) by William

AUM Fidelity production by Steven Joerg
Mastered by Paul Wickliffe at Skyline Productions, South Orange

Cover painting by William Parker
Design by Ming@AUM

License