Parker, William Organ Quartet: Uncle Joe's Spirit House (Vinyl LP)

A gorgeous soul-jazz organ quartet album that hearkens back to early-mid 60s sessions of similar form; fully revitalized by William Parker's indelible compositions and the generous musical gifts of Darryl Foster, Cooper-Moore and Gerald Cleaver.This very special project was produced by Parker for his own Centering Records imprint. Dedicated to his Aunt Carrie Lee & Uncle Joe (pictured on album cover), it was created to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in 2010. Released on CD edition back then, this is a newly mastered-for-vinyl first-time/one-time Centering Records LP issue, released in Spring 2024.A family thing. And a lot more than that: one of the great bassist's most joyful, sunshine-filled records. An album of very accessible creative jazz with irresistible grooves. A federating record. A gem. -Monsieur DélireThough mysticism and spirituality play a hand in his expansive aesthetic, so do earthly concerns like social justice and family. A deeply personal offering from a musician whose role as a scene leader and social activist is as significant as his instrumental prowess. -All About JazzFor a guy who's rightly regarded as a load-bearing column holding up much of the New York avant-jazz scene, bassist William Parker records some remarkably mainstream-friendly albums. Don't let this pass you by. It's emotional, hard-grooving, occasionally abstract but often raw and bluesy music that shakes hands with the past before striding confidently into the future. -Burning Ambulance Ennio's Tag, Let's Go Down to the River, Buddha's Joy, Uncle Joe's Spirit House, Jacques' Groove, The Struggle