Search - William Parker, Hamid Drake :: First Communion / Piercing the Veil

"These two high priests of free improvisation can rock `n' roll with the best of `em. They come together to create sounds, images, and ideas that transcend time and place." - ALL ABOUT JAZZ "Displaying a full spectrum of sound, Piercing the Veil is a magical recording of two of the most soulful and spiritual voices in avant-garde jazz. This album is nothing short of essential." - OTHER MUSIC "Parker and Drake visit under-explored territory here-the junction between the deepest riches of jazz and the many improvisatory traditions around the world that came before it." - NPR "Piercing the Veil's opening cut is pure dance music-the pair never lose the groove, but they crank it up and out, heading to a place where ecstasy supercedes intellect ... a fascinating exploration of multiple sound worlds." - ALTERNATIVE PRESS Massive. William Parker and Hamid Drake have been called the best rhythm section in jazz today. Let's go one step further and call them simply the best. Piercing the Veil was originally issued on AUM Fidelity in 2001 and gave rise to giant amounts of praise and attention. It has been out of print for far too long. So, in re-issuing it, AUM decided to up the ante. First Communion has never been issued and is an equally extraordinary recording of this duo in their first-ever meeting, two days before the studio session that gave rise to Piercing the Veil. The meeting took place in Brooklyn at AUM HQ to an over-packed, rapt audience of eighty people. This is one of those rare moments where the Godhead was captured and is being shared anew and afar. Volume 2: Summer Snow (their new studio recording) is coming in a few short months...