Alan Silva Hero's Welcome: Pieces For Rare Occasions - Vol. 1 Of The Silva/Parker Duos CD

You might not expect such lushness from a duo of midi keyboard and acoustic string bass, particularly from Alan Silva and William Parker, but, as to be expected, this is music of considerable substance. Silva is best known for his work on string bass, but somewhere along the way, he shifted his emphasis to electronic keyboards. Here, he also performs on acoustic piano, and while he is not Cecil Taylor, he has much to say. His artistry on midi is that of a painter using broad sweeps of the brush. Parker solidly complements the sounds, sometimes laying a floor and at others doing what he does best: surprising with leaps, grunts, and stretched strings, and extending the natural limits of his ax. The five pieces entertain and challenge, although Silva's bass is sorely missed. ~ Steven A. Loewy

Liner Note Author: Byron Coley.

Recording information: Context Studios, New York, NY (03/06/1998).

Photographers: Alan Silva; Michael Wilderman.

Arranger: Alan Silva.

Personnel: Alan Silva (piano, midi keyboard); Alan Silva (synthesizer); William Parker (double bass).

Audio Mixer: Alen Hadzi-Stefanov.