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Title: Sometimes Less Is Less
Review: Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of World Jazz (or Jazz Beat), a true coming together of the jazz tradition and some authentic world/folk music, such as Afro-Cuban jazz, or Celtic jazz. Leon Parker has proved in the past that he can make effective records in this musical mode.The problem with this outing is that there just isn't enough of musical substance here. While the formula is similar to his previous records, the results are inferior. Things are so stripped down that on some of the cuts virtually nothing happens. Personally, I think he's milked the minimalist formula as far as it can go, to the point of diminishing returns. For a much more successful disk using a similar approach, check out either one of bandmate Sam Newsome's CD's with his his group Global Unity (one or both of which I'll be reviewing soon).
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