Monoceros, by Evan Parker

Monoceros

by Evan Parker

supported by

𓂀_The_Bandcamper_Whose_Name_Is_A_Symbol thumbnail

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£7 GBP or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of Monoceros via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

£15 GBP or more

	1.	Monoceros 1 21:42
	2.	Monoceros 2 05:19
	3.	Monoceros 3 09:06
	4.	Monoceros 4 04:09

about

"We’re here for Parker and this ground-breaking masterpiece. Monoceros’ title refers to a one-horned legendary animal. The back cover of the album seen Parker playfully placing his soprano saxophone being his head, so it pokes out on top. The opening track, ‘Monoceros 1’, is a twenty-two-minute hypnotic thing of beauty. The playing has a fierce intensity to it. The way Parker intertwines his saxophone is just mesmerising. It’s as if the instrument has come alive and all Parker can do is hold on and remember to blow. However, there are times when Parker is very much in control and it feels like he is playing for all he’s worth. His triple-tongued technique sounds as unconventional now, but in 1979 it must have sounded other worldly. In your mind you can almost see the veins sticking out on Parker’s lips as he applies more pressure to the reed and just blows. His overtone control is also on full display throughout Monoceros. This technique was picked up from exposure to folk music in Africa and the Middle East. If this is all that Parker had recorded, Monoceros would still have been a seminal release. But it wasn’t. There are another three songs on the album’s second side. ‘Monoceros 2, 3 and 4’ are music shorter. The longest being nine minutes, but they possess the same levels of intensity and inventiveness that made ‘Monoceros 1’ such a joy.

One of the pleasures of Monoceros is how it still sounds challenging. Even after over forty years. This might be down to how it was recorded. Direct-to-disc. This means that everything Parker played, warts and all, would be included on the final album. At the time of releases this was the closest Parker could get to playing live in a club in a studio. The directness comes across in the recordings. ‘Monoceros 4’ is the shortest track on the album, but throughout its 4:08 duration it feels like Parker is playing live just for you. He soars, glides and plummets as hard as ‘Monoceros 1’ but you feel he has his eyes on you all the time. As you squirm, his playing is harsher; as you grin, he drops in a few playful motifs before continuing his overtone control – not just of his saxophone but of you, too."

Nick Roseblade , October 21st, 2020 (The Qietus)

credits

released June 8, 2023

license

about

Treader London, UK

Originally founded by John Coxon and Ashley Wales (Spring Heel Jack) around 2004. A label that explores the intersection between composed and improvised music. Some of the roster includes legendary artists in the field of free improvisation such as Evan Parker, Han Bennink, Wadada Leo Smith and John Tchicai. ... more

contact / help

Contact Treader

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Monoceros, you may also like:

Historic Music Past Tense Future
by Peter Brötzmann, Milford Graves, William Parker

supported by 8 fans who also own “Monoceros”

free jazz you can lift weights to. aggressive and necessary. Lovdahl, Ian
go to album
The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert at The Town Hall NYC November 4, 1973
by Cecil Taylor

supported by 8 fans who also own “Monoceros”

Cecil Taylor is one of my favorite musicians. And Jimmy Lyons has one of the most beautiful alto sax sound in the whole history. echiarel
go to album
Birdland, Neuburg 2011
by Cecil Taylor & Tony Oxley

supported by 7 fans who also own “Monoceros”

Longtime fan of CT ... still assimilating his music, such breadth & depth! Appreciate your making this available .... Thanks very much! j4yheindeo
go to album
Multiplicity
by RAIC

A wild free improvisational ride that melds free jazz, black metal, noise rock, and lounge into one vision. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 9, 2019
go to album
Raid on the White Tiger Regiment
by Sunik Kim

Sunik Kim pulls beauty and meaning out of dense yet accessible knots of textural noise and wordless chaos. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 20, 2022
go to album
Helicopter
by duffin

featured on Bandcamp Radio Aug 9, 2022
go to album
LAYING DEMONS TO REST
by FRED FRITH - SUSANA SANTOS SILVA

supported by 7 fans who also own “Monoceros”
go to album