To him, it's whatever trick can make the greatest impact at that point in time, not which is the most difficult to play. There's also a thoughtful linearity and pacing to his solos that also recalls Mehldau, without mimicking him.
The repeating note approach is more upfront in "Nemesis," where it's used for emphasis on the rock rhythm and to set up Moreno's guitar. The brief "Riddle Me This" sports an interesting stutter rhythm by Harland that's not really jazz, either, and Parks is wisely content to let that be the major focus of that song.
"Peaceful Warrior" is another highlight. It's a two-parter that begins with a gentle European-style folk melody stated by Moreno and Parks together that searches and probes along the way. That would make this a fine track right there, but midway through, a more kinetic, aggressive chord progression kicks in and all four players are playing their rear ends off. The thing that makes it go is Penman's bass that pulsates like some living organism. Parks and Moreno seem to feed off of that as they trade ardent solos. Abruptly, the section end and the softer first part returns, but with more strident drum licks from Harland. The song best illustrates Parks' musical vision for drama and "cinematic" music without scenes...the invisible cinema.
"Karma" has drama, too, in the sense that it's tense and Harland again is employing unusual rhythms, this time well syncopated with Penman's active bass. "Harvesting Dance" draws its inspiration from an entirely different source: Bulgarian music and the Jewish jazz of John Zorn's Masada. First recorded on one of Blanchard's albums, this extended track contains some lively, passionate playing by Parks, but especially by Moreno.
So many talented musicians start out their solo careers will so much promise and potential that never gets fulfilled. Right from his first effort with Invisible Cinema, Aaron Parks is setting out to do as much as he's capable of doing. The sky's the limit for Parks and he's already several miles off the ground.
photo by Mamoru Kobayakawa
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