Album Review: Windows Through Time from Mariah Parker

Album:  Windows Through Time
Artist:  Mariah Parker
Label:  Ancient-Future.com Records
Website: mariahparkermusic.com

Mariah Parker’s compositions on her 2024 release Windows Through Time are characteristic of her penchant to explore Latin rhythms combined with wordless chanting and melodic interfacing, compiling a bounty of sonically soaring structures.  The vivacious voicing of Paul McCandless's saxophone is complimented by the elegant stride of Parker's piano keys and the soothing vibrations of Matthew Montfort's scalloped fretboard guitar.  The rhythm section of Ian Dogole on cymbals and cajon along with drummer Mark Walker, bassists Sascha Jacobsen, Kash Killion and Gary Brown, and percussionists Daniel Feldman and Michaelle Goerlitz cup the spacious soundscapes in a steady hold, solidifying the tracks harmonious flow.

Parker's track "Sol de Barcelona" has a vibrant Latin beat that transports the listener into an ecstatic state of mind.  With a flare for producing soaring soundscapes, the tangoesque strut of Montfort's guitar strings is entrancing as McCandless's trembling saxophone toots supplement the track with a mesmerizing peal, adding Parker's twinkling keys to the serene vista.  Slowing to a samba promenade along "Espírito Samba," the glistening timbres of Montfort's guitar strings are enshroud in the warmth of McCandless's energetic saxophone shimmies and the rhythm section's rattling beats.

The recording turns reflective along "True North," brandishing a slow burning flame filament by McCandless's lulling saxophone tweets and Parker's sinuous keys.  The sensuous raptures woven along the melodic swells of "Duende" are accented by the flamenco inflection of Montfort's lithesome guitar strings.  The tranquility echoing across "Rendezvous" is bolstered by the satiny texture of McCandless's saxophone as Parker's keys infuse a dream-like ether. Smoothly, Claudia Villela’s haunting vocals float across the title track as Paul McCandless’s cradles her chanting in sleek silhouettes.

Mariah Parker takes the listener along a musical jaunt clad in harmonious soundscapes that are uplifting and reflective.  Her academic tenure at UC Santa Cruz instilled in her a penchant to finesse melodic trimmings formed by the instruments interfacing.  Each track is a portrait of Parker's vision, as the music embodies her sentiment and influences.  Riffing with her band off of the Latin jazz template, her music resonates with her audience and the human soul.

Musicians:
Mariah Parker - piano
Paul McCandless - saxophone
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard guitar
Sascha Jacobsen - bass
Kash Killion - bass
Gary Brown - bass
Mark Walker - drums
Ian Dogole - cymbals and cajon
Daniel Feldman - percussion
Michaelle Goerlitz - percussion
Claudia Villela - vocals