SANTA MONICA, Calif, August 20, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Legendary label Savoy Jazz, home to many of the greatest jazz/bebop recordings ever made, is readying the release of "Bird Up: The Charlie Parker Remix Project," an astounding tribute to the genius of Charlie "Yardbird" Parker. Much more than a conventional remix project, modern day musical iconoclasts from every genre have assembled to lay down their highly original interpretations of Parker's classic Savoy repertoire--circa 1944-1948. Traditionalists may say what they will, but those who understand the spirit in which these pieces were born know that the composer would have applauded a new generation of mavericks creating a fresh new chapter for the legacy.
Produced by Matthew Backer, "Bird Up" showcases a stable of fearless artists with a deep love and heartfelt respect for the transcendent artistry of Charlie Parker. It's a truly eclectic group -- hip-hop, jazz, rock, classical, world, electronica -- all are represented by these artists who run the gamut from fresh new talent to mulit-platinum superstars. All are insightful, visionary and inspired-these aural interpreters haven't just "phoned in" their grooves, scratches, beats and blips, rather they've come to the table with fully realized musical dissertations redefining the soul of the original.
There was no set blueprint in the creation of "Bird Up." Backer presented artists with original Charlie Parker tracks, including alternate takes, false starts and other priceless gems. Sometimes ideas flew as solo statements and others landed as elements in inspired collaborations. Whether it's Hal Willner bringing together Dr. John, The Kronos Quartet and Mocean Worker to reinterpret "Salt Peanuts" (The Mr. Peanut Chronicles), Me'Shell Ndege`Ocello magically reinventing "Relaxin' at Camarillo" (August 29), or Serj Tankian's bold new interpretation of "Bird of Paradise (Gone)" -- each track has a fiercely unique flavor. Having traveled such great artistic distances, most of the artists were inspired to re-title their tracks (the new title follows the original in parentheses).
The artist/track listing is as follows: "Now's The Time (No Time Like Now)" featuring Red Hawk and Deke Damascus; "Relaxin' At Camarillo (August 29)" Me'Shell Ndege`Ocello; "Salt Peanuts (The Mr. Peanut Chronicles)" Hal Willner, Dr. John, The Kronos Quartet, Mocean Worker; "Bebop (Live At the Rooftop)"Choco, The RZA; "Bird of Paradise (Gone)" Serj Tankian; "Congo Blues (Silencer)" Donk, Ravi Coltrane, Wild Children, Hubert Laws, Kodo; "Steeplechase (Sittin' on 22's)" Dan The Automator; "Cheers (X-ecutioners Style)" The X-ecutioners; "A Night In Tunisia (Downpour)" Donk, The Coconut Tree, Kodo; "All the Shadows of Nuff" Hal Willner, Garth Hudson of The Band, Mocean Worker; "Perhaps (Someday the Roof Will Get Fixed)" Dan The Automator; "Barbados (Where Fish Fly)"Matthew Backer, Hubert Laws, Redback; "Constellation (Heavenly Bodies)" El-P, Stephanie Vezina."
"Bird Up: The Charlie Parker Remix Project" pulses with Parker's revolutionary spirit -- it's a testament to breaking down barriers and moving forward into the future of artistic expression.