Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds

alaquarelle

Review by Alain

Parallel Worlds by Dave Douglas: A Sonic Adventure Worth Diving Into Let’s cut to the chase—Dave Douglas’ Parallel Worlds isn’t your typical jazz album. Released in 1993 on Italy’s Soul Note label, this record dives headfirst into avant-garde jazz and post-bop territory, blending wild experimentation with moments of raw beauty. It’s like someone handed a bunch of insanely talented musicians a blank canvas and said, “Go nuts—but make it sound good.” Spoiler alert: they nailed it. The lineup here is ridiculous. You’ve got Dave Douglas himself on trumpet, Mark Dresser holding down the bass, Michael Sarin smashing drums, Erik Friedlander adding eerie cello vibes, and Mark Feldman weaving violin magic. Oh, and let’s not forget Tim Berne as co-producer, because apparently one genius wasn’t enough. The whole thing feels alive, unpredictable, and kinda messy in the best way possible. Now, onto the tracks that stuck with me. First up: “Loco Madi.” This tune grabs you by the ears right outta the gate. It starts off all chaotic, like everyone’s playing their own private jam session, but somehow it clicks together. Dave’s trumpet work is front and center, darting around like it can’t decide whether to be playful or brooding. And then there’s the rhythm section—it’s loose yet tight, if that makes sense? Like those times when you’re dancing awkwardly at a party but still killing it somehow. Every time I hear this track, I’m reminded why I love jazz so much: it doesn’t need rules to feel right. Another standout is “Ballad In Which MacHeath Asks Everyone To Forgive Him.” Yeah, yeah, long title, I know. But man, does it hit differently. It’s slower, moodier, and packed with emotional weight. Mark Feldman’s violin pulls at your heartstrings while Erik Friedlander’s cello adds this haunting undertone. There’s something cinematic about it, like it could soundtrack a gritty noir film where everyone’s secretly miserable. By the end, you’re left wondering who MacHeath even is, but honestly? That mystery just adds to the charm. What really ties everything together is how organic the whole project feels. Sure, Dave Douglas wrote most of the tunes and arranged them, but it never comes across as overly polished or calculated. These guys are clearly vibing off each other, taking risks, and letting things unfold naturally. Credit also goes to Jon Rosenberg for recording and mixing—it sounds crisp without losing that live, human touch. Oh, fun fact: Gunther Schuller wrote some liner notes for this album. If you don’t know him, look him up—he was basically jazz royalty. Having his stamp of approval says a lot about what Douglas and company were trying to achieve here. So yeah, Parallel Worlds might not be for everyone. If you’re expecting smooth, easy-listening jazz, you’ll probably walk away scratching your head. But if you’re into stuff that challenges you, keeps you guessing, and rewards repeat listens, this one’s gold. Honestly, every time I spin it, I notice something new—a little riff, a weird chord change, or some subtle interplay between instruments. It’s like peeling an onion, except instead of crying, you’re smiling. And hey, isn’t that what great art’s supposed to do? Make you think, feel, and maybe question your life choices? Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, give Parallel Worlds a shot. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing trumpets in your sleep.

Download Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
Artist: Dave Douglas
Album: Parallel Worlds
Rating: 3.92

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: dave-douglas-parallel-worlds.zip
  • MP3 size: 54 mb
  • FLAC size: 644.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
For Every Action9:23
Piece for Strings6:51
Remains7:3
Loco Madi5:50
In Progress5:35
Sehr Bewegt1:29
Grand Choral4:18
Ballad In Which Macheath Asks Everyone to Forgive Him6:0
Ballad In Which MacHeath Asks Everyone To Forgive Him6:05
On Your Leaving7:8
Parallel Worlds9:14
Piece For Strings6:55

Images

baixar álbum Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
lataa albumi Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
Album herunterladen Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
ladda ner album Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
descargar álbum Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds

Catalog Numbers

121226-2

Labels

Soul Note

Listen online

  • lytte på nettet
  • online luisteren
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • ouvir online
  • lyssna på nätet
  • online anhören
  • escuchar en línea
  • écouter en ligne
  • ascolta in linea

Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed ByIREC Milano
Phonographic Copyright (p)Soul Note
Copyright (c)Soul Note
Recorded AtSear Sound
Mixed AtExcello Recording
Glass Mastered AtPhonoComp

Credits

RoleCredit
BassMark Dresser
CelloErik Friedlander
DesignDavid Thorne
DrumsMichael Sarin
EngineerGil Shuster
Executive-ProducerGiovanni Bonandrini
Liner NotesDave Douglas, Gunther Schuller
Photography ByPierre-Jean Schwab
ProducerDave Douglas, Tim Berne
Recorded ByJon Rosenberg
Mixed ByJon Rosenberg
TrumpetDave Douglas
Arranged ByDave Douglas
ViolinMark Feldman
Written-ByDave Douglas (tracks: 2 to 5, 8, 9)

Notes

  • Recorded on 17, 18 March 1993 at Sear Sound, NYC.
  • Includes an 8-page booklet with notes in English.
  • Manufactured in Italy (on disc)
  • Made in Italy (on cover)

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 0 27312 12262 6
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 6219
  • Matrix / Runout: 121 226-2 PHC
  • Rights Society: S.I.A.E.

About Dave Douglas

télécharger l'album Dave Douglas - Parallel Worldslast ned album Dave Douglas - Parallel Worldsdescargar álbum Dave Douglas - Parallel Worldsladda ner album Dave Douglas - Parallel WorldsAlbum herunterladen Dave Douglas - Parallel Worldslataa albumi Dave Douglas - Parallel Worlds
American jazz trumpeter and composer. Born : March 24, 1963 in Montclair, New Jersey. Dave Douglas' music is derived from many non-jazz musical styles, including classical music, folk music from European countries and Klezmer. He has been a member of the experimental big band Orange Then Blue. Douglas is currently the director of the Festival of New Trumpet Music, which is held annually in New York City. Since 1993, Douglas has recorded more than twenty albums as a bandleader. He has also performed and recorded with dozens of musicians, perhaps most notably with various John Zorn ensembles. With his own groups, Douglas has pioneered new settings for the trumpet in jazz. In more recent years, he has explored collaborations involving modern dance, spoken word/poetry, and film.

Real Name

    • David Deuel Douglas

Name Vars

  • D. Douglas
  • Dave
  • Dave Douglas & Friends
  • Dave Douglas Group
  • Dave Douglass
  • David Douglas
  • Douglas
  • Дэйв Дуглас

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Parallel Worlds* by Dave Douglas is a wild mix of avant-garde jazz and post-bop, released in 1993 in Italy. What makes it stand out? It’s not just a trumpet-driven project—Douglas brought in cello and violin to add an extra layer of texture. And get this: two tracks are actually different versions of the same ballad, giving listeners two perspectives on one emotional theme. Jazz fans still geek out over how much depth he packed into this record.